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DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T120000
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SUMMARY:Truffle Cultivation in North America - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:What subterranean treasures lie waiting beneath the roots of the Southern Appalachian forest\, and how can the ancient art of truffle cultivation forge a new frontier in American arborculture? \nOutside Asheville\, North Carolina\, Brian Upchurch—President of Carolina Truffières and past President of the North American Truffle Growers’ Association—stewards a sprawling 100-acre agricultural enterprise dedicated to the subterranean harvest. Drawing upon over three decades of mastery in propagating rare woody plants\, Upchurch and his son Davis founded Carolina Truffières in 2015\, transforming their land into North America’s largest truffle orchard. Today\, across 55 cultivated acres\, their living laboratory harbors an astonishing diversity of three domestic and five European truffle species\, anchored by an 8-acre test orchard dedicated to evaluating host tree performance\, pruning\, and soil mitigation. \nFrom leading industry consolidation through the Truffle Research and Production Initiative (TRAPI) to partnering with Michelin-star kitchens for farm-to-table traceability\, Upchurch bridges the worlds of rigorous horticultural science and world-class gastronomy. Join us as Brian explores the intricate symbiosis of mycorrhizal tree cropping\, orchard establishment\, and the vibrant future of domestic truffle production!
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/truffle-cultivation-in-north-america-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Truffle-Cultivation-in-North-America-Opportunities-and-Challenges.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T160000
DTSTAMP:20261005T152057Z
CREATED:20261005T152057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T152057Z
UID:5985-1793975400-1793980800@nafex.org
SUMMARY:Botanical Expeditions - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:How do expeditions to the ancient valleys of the Caucasus secure the genetic future of our temperate orchards? \nLong before commercial nurseries and modern orchards spanned the American continent\, the rugged mountain landscapes of Armenia\, Azerbaijan\, and Georgia served as the ancient cradle of origin for many of our most vital temperate fruit and nut crops. To safeguard this irreplaceable living heritage\, USDA Agricultural Research Service plant pathologist and curator Joseph Postman undertook a series of pivotal USDA-funded germplasm expeditions between 2002 and 2006. Postman and his collaborators combed diverse wild habitats and traditional farming plots to collect invaluable landrace cultivars and crop wild relatives. \nThe results of these arduous plant-hunting journeys transformed our national agricultural repositories. Since these expeditions began in 2001\, hundreds of unique accessions—including wild apples\, pears\, quinces\, hazelnuts\, walnuts\, pomegranates\, persimmons\, and grapes—have been successfully brought back and distributed to USDA genebanks in Corvallis\, Oregon; Davis\, California; and Geneva\, New York. Today\, these priceless genetic lineages are rigorously evaluated for pest resistance\, environmental adaptation\, and horticultural traits\, remaining freely available to researchers worldwide for crop improvement. \nJoin Joseph Postman as he presents a captivating visual and scientific narrative of these Trans-Caucasian expeditions\, sharing breathtaking glimpses of wild fruit diversity and detailing the ongoing mission to preserve our global botanical roots!
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/botanical-expeditions-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Botanical-Expeditions.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T183000
DTSTAMP:20261005T142047Z
CREATED:20261005T142047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T142047Z
UID:5988-1793984400-1793989800@nafex.org
SUMMARY:Nuts and Fruits of Red Fern Farm - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:How can multi-layered perennial agroforestry and resilient tree crop systems reshape the agricultural frontiers of tomorrow? \nIn Southeast Iowa\, Red Fern Farm—stewarded by Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice is a diversified fruit and nut farm featuring over 80 tree species. Drawing upon a strong foundation in natural resource conservation\, Tom and Kathy work tirelessly to mimic the diversity and perennial nature of the local ecosystem by farming with trees. Moving far beyond traditional monocultures\, this family owned U-Pick and research farm has evolved into a thriving multi-species canopy where chestnuts\, pawpaws\, American persimmons\, heartnuts\, Asian pears\, and honeyberries flourish. Beneath these boughs\, a dedicated flock of hair sheep grazes through much of the year\, naturally maintaining the groves and efficiently cleaning up fallen fruit and nuts following the bustling late-summer and autumn you-pick harvest seasons. \nWith a deep commitment to unlocking the agricultural potential of perennial crops\, Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice bring decades of rigorous field study and hands-on propagation to the forefront of modern orchard design. Join us as Tom and Kathy explore how to establish resilient tree crop systems\, manage forest farming ecosystems\, and harvest the exceptional bounty of our forgotten native and hardy fruits!
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/nuts-and-fruits-of-red-fern-farm-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Red-Fern-Farm.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T210000
DTSTAMP:20261005T144050Z
CREATED:20261005T142954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T144050Z
UID:5992-1793993400-1793998800@nafex.org
SUMMARY:Annual Meeting and Show and Tell - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:Bring your stories about fruit growing for the always-fun member NAFEX Show and Tell. Share your successes\, challenges and failures. All stories are welcome – as are new members. \nWondering what the North American Fruit Explorers is all about? The 90-minute online session includes an overview by our president\, Kris Klueg Heeter\, and a brief annual meeting. Join us as we take a brief look back at 2026\, look ahead to 2027.
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/annual-meeting-and-show-and-tell-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-Member-Show-Tell.png
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