BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//NAFEX - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://nafex.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for NAFEX
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Indiana/Indianapolis
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261106T133000
DTSTAMP:20261005T140628Z
CREATED:20261005T140628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T140628Z
UID:5982-1793966400-1793971800@nafex.org
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
END:VEVENT
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261107T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261107T133000
DTSTAMP:20261005T160702Z
CREATED:20261005T152144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T160702Z
UID:5996-1794052800-1794058200@nafex.org
SUMMARY:Pawpaw Museum: Lost Lore of the Pawpaw - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:How can a dedicated museum archive resurrect the forgotten lore of North America’s largest native fruit? \nLong before modern orchard culture\, the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) reigned as an unsung woodland monarch\, its lush\, custard-like fruit sustaining Indigenous peoples\, frontier travelers\, and migrating wildlife across the eastern river valleys. Yet\, despite its rich ecological pedigree and unique tropical flavor\, much of the pawpaw’s captivating historical footprint has remained buried in obscurity until now. Enter the Mini Pop-up Pawpaw Museum\, an imaginative and deeply researched cultural repository dedicated to archiving the complete narrative of America’s forgotten native fruit. \nConceived and meticulously curated by John Paul (J.P.) Goguen—a media specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Main Stack Library’s Media Commons who has passionately researched pawpaws since 2010. This innovative project brings together rare historical documents\, botanical art\, and cultural ephemera. Drawing upon over a decade of dedicated archival investigation\, Goguen’s museum illuminates the winding journey of the pawpaw from wild thicket curiosity to modern perennial obsession. \nJoin us as J.P. Goguen unveils the untold stories\, historical imagery\, and cultural milestones preserved within the Mini Pop-Up Pawpaw Museum\, offering a fascinating window into the botanical heritage of our native woodlands!
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/pawpaw-museum-lost-lore-of-the-pawpaw-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pawpaw-Museum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261107T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261107T160000
DTSTAMP:20261005T144522Z
CREATED:20261005T144522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T144522Z
UID:6001-1794061800-1794067200@nafex.org
SUMMARY:American Persimmons and European Black Currants: Ripe for Prime Time - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:How can neglected native and wild fruits reshape our orchards and perennial farming systems? \nAmerican Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) and European Black Currants (Ribes nigrum) remain largely neglected fruits in American culture\, their unique flavors and regional potential inhibited by a lack of investment into perennial breeding\, cultural discrimination\, and past federal bans. Today\, Savanna Institute breeders Kathleen E.B. Rhoades and Lillian M. Hislop are working to change that narrative. \nBy selecting cold-hardy traits to push the American persimmon further north and developing new cultivars\, they are bringing these flavorful fruits back into active cultivation. Beyond their unique taste\, black currants and elderberries offer practical benefi ts for modern growers: they bear fruit quickly\, providing crucial early revenue and acting as rapid crops for breeding improvements in diversified agroforestry systems. \nJoin Savanna Institute breeders Kathleen E.B. Rhoades and Lillian M. Hislop as they talk about the fruits’ histories and futures\, exploring their work developing new cultivars for agroforestry systems—including breeding cold-hardy persimmons and utilizing fast-bearing black currants as vital early revenue streams for diversified farms.
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/american-persimmons-and-european-black-currants-ripe-for-prime-time-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Persimmons-Black-Currants.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261107T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Indiana/Indianapolis:20261107T183000
DTSTAMP:20261012T212639Z
CREATED:20261012T212345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T212639Z
UID:6005-1794070800-1794076200@nafex.org
SUMMARY:Keynote: Preservation Orchards - NAFEX 2026 Virtual Conference
DESCRIPTION:While modern technological and botanical advancements make identifying rare and endangered fruit varieties easier than ever\, the actual preservation of their living genetics remains perpetually vulnerable. Collections rely heavily on the whims of government funding and the fleeting lifespans of dedicated enthusiasts who maintain them. To address these pressing preservation challenges\, we are joined by Daniel Bussey—a lifelong orchardist\, horticulturist\, historian\, and professional cider maker who has grown heirloom apple varieties all of his life\, taught grafting and cider-making workshops for over 30 years\, and authored the world’s largest compendium on apples of North America\, spanning 7 volumes and featuring 1\,400 apple illustrations. Bussey brings decades of hands-on expertise to this conversation with the ultimate hope of inspiring you to join the vital effort of saving our pomological heritage. \nJoin Daniel Bussey and other experts as they describe the challenges\, both past and present\, in preserving our diverse fruit collections.
URL:https://nafex.org/index.php/event/keynote-preservation-orchards-nafex-2026-virtual-conference/
LOCATION:ZOOM
CATEGORIES:Annual Meeting/Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafex.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Preservation-Orchards.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR