NAFEX

Pawpaw 101 and KSU Pawpaw Program Update - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2024-06-25 19:30 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
What’s new in the world of pawpaws? Join us for an evening of discussion about North America’s largest fruit with Dr. Kirk Pomper of Kentucky State University who will provide insights into all things pawpaw and an update on the KSU Pawpaw program. Come with your questions for one of the country’s foremost experts on pawpaws.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers in your inbox or on our member Interest Group page. Plan to join us!
Not a member yet? Join for $19/yr and get access to this ZOOM meetup and all past recorded meetings and conference settings! www.nafex.org

Rediscovering Lost Goldrush Era Fruit Trees - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2024-05-28 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Does the thrill of the hunt to rediscover California gold rush era fruit trees intrigue you? Maybe you’ve heard of the work of the Felix Gillet Institute or the man himself. Join us to discover how a team of fruit detectives and preservationists search abandoned ghost towns and the countryside for 100+ year old fruit trees. Learn how the Felix Gillet Institute works to preserve lost heritage fruit trees and bring them back for future generations to enjoy.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers in your inbox or on our member Interest Group page. Plan to join us!
Not a member yet? Join for $19/yr and get access to this ZOOM meetup and all past recorded meetings and conference settings! www.nafex.org

Cicada and Lanternfly - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2024-04-30 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Are you worried about your fruit trees and the billions of cicadas that are about to emerge? Perhaps invasive lantern flies have started to make their way to your area and pose more of a threat? Join us as Douglas Pfeiffer Ph.D. of Virginia Tech discusses how to deal with these pest pressures and provides tips to safeguard your own trees.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers in your inbox or on our member Interest Group page. Plan to join us!
Not a member yet? Join for $19/yr and get access to this ZOOM meetup and all past recorded meetings and conference settings! www.nafex.org

Future Apples and Pears - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2024-03-26 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Are you curious about what’s going on in the world of apple breeding besides crispy apples? Maybe the future releases of a 100 year old pear breeding program peak your interest? Either way join us on March 26th as Christopher Gottschalk, Ph.D. of the USDA ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station discusses these topics and more.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers in your inbox or on our member Interest Group page. Plan to join us!

Which are the best apples and pears for making cider and perry?
2024-02-27 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Perry pears and cider apples are quite different from their fresh eating counterparts not

only in taste but in growth and harvest.

At our next virtual meetup, Charles McGonegal owner of AEppelTreow will discuss the types of European perry pears that can be grown in the US and how true perry pears can change a perry.
Tim Graham of Left Bank Ciders will discuss cider apples and how they are different from their dessert brethren in more than just taste. He will cover not only what varieties are grown but also their classification (e.g. Bittersharp, Bittersweet, etc.) and more. If you’re curious about fruit, cider or perry stop by Tuesday, February 27 6:30 CST.

Meeting is via Zoom, connection details will be made available later to NAFEX members only on the Interest Groups page.

Starting a New Orchard: Lessons Learned - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2024-01-30 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us Tuesday, January 30, for our monthly NAFEX Interest Group meetup on lessons learned starting a new orchard. NAFEX members Josh Fuder and Matt Stevens will lead the conversation.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers in your inbox or on our member Interest Group page. Plan to join us!

Healthy Fruit from Healthy Soil - 2023 Virtual Conference Keynote, Session 8
2023-11-11 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Dr. Elaine Ingham, the soil microbiologist who coined the term “Soil Food Web,” will discuss growing healthy fruiting plants from the ground up, using regenerative growing practices to restore the ecological functions of soil and improve nutrient levels and yields in fruit production.
The Soil Food Web is the community of organisms living all or part of their lives in the soil. It describes the complex living system in the soil and how it interacts with the environment, plants, and animals.
Dr. Elaine will help fruit growers understand how artificial fertilizers affect soil and plant health and how soil biology determines a plant’s ability to unlock and utilize nutrients. If you want to learn more about how to improve your soil to grow better fruit, you won’t want to miss this talk.
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This interactive webinar will be the closing keynote session of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recorded sessions later.
The conference is open to fruit growers of all experience levels and will feature 8 sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Plan to join us!
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

Show & Tell and Annual Meeting - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 7
2023-11-11 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Show us your fruit! And share your fruit growing journey in 2023. Fruit growers of all experience levels are invited to share their growing experiences (successes or failures) in our casual, virtual fruit grower’s Show and Tell. This year, the Show and Tell will emphasize discovering or breeding fruit but all stories are welcome – as are new members.

Wondering 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 2023, look ahead to 2024, and review our Board of Directors candidates.
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This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

All About Hybrid Persimmons - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 6
2023-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Join persimmon grower Timothy Lane for a look at recent persimmon hybridizing efforts in Ukraine and the United States.
Many of these hybrid Diospyros kaki (Asian) x Diospyros virginiana (American) persimmon cultivars have bigger fruit, better flavor and increased cold hardiness than some of their popular predecessors, Rosseyanka and Nikita’s Gift. Timothy will share a detailed account of hybrid persimmon fruit, foliage, cold-hardiness and care.
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This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

Restoration Agriculture and Low-Input Orchards - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 5
2023-11-10 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Looking to have a low input orchard? This is the talk for you. Mark Shepard, author of Restoration Agriculture: Real-World Permaculture for Farmers will be talk about his developed “Sheer, Total, Utter, Neglect” (STUN) method for breeding and selecting cultivars that are adapted to his microclimate and biome. This method can be used to select for flavor, disease resistance and vigorous growth, among other traits.
—
This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

The Business of Growing Fruit, Part 2 - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 4
2023-11-10 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Can you make money growing fruit? Join us for the second of two exciting sessions about the business of growing fruit. In this session, we’ll get an inside look at the challenges and rewards of starting a nursery business with mail-order fulfillment with Michael McConkey of Edible Landscaping; how to sell fruit trees and shrubs at a regional level via farmers markets and events with Larry Stephenson of Southern Cultured Orchard and Nursery; and how to make a business of teaching and educating other fruit growers with Susan Poizner of Orchardpeople.com.
—
This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

The Business of Growing Fruit, Part 1 - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 3
2023-11-10 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Can you make money growing fruit? Join us for the first of two exciting sessions about the business of growing fruit. In this session, we’ll learn about establishing a successful U-pick operation from Kathy Dice and Tom Wahl of Red Fern Farm; how to create a CSA (community supported agriculture) distribution system with legendary apple grower John Bunker; and how to create value-added products or collaborate with businesses who are end-users of fruit with Megan and Anthony Gossett of Ferm Fresh kombucha.
—
This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

Apples Around the World - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 2
2023-11-09 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
The apple is the most widely cultivated fruit across temperate regions of the globe. Discover the many types of Malus species around the world as Dr. Gayle Volk shares the USDA’s Malus germplasm collection and discusses how genetic level testing has improved the collection and USDA’s international exchange program.
Derek Mills of Hocking Hills Orchard will also share how his collection of over 1,800 apple varieties helps him connect with other apple lovers and play an important citizen role in Malus exploration and preservation. All apple growers and lovers will enjoy this talk.
—
This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.
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Image credit for global map: Nanoxyde, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Integrating Tree Vegetables and Perennial Staple Crops into the Orchard - NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, Session 1
2023-11-09 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | ZOOM
Learn how to expand your edible orchard beyond fruit and nuts by integrating other trees and plant species that can serve as vegetables, medicine, fuel, fodder, and help build healthy soil. Author and farmer Eric Toensmeier will share his permaculture-based approach to the creation of perennial farming systems and solutions for orchards and gardens of all sizes.
Eric Toensmeier is the award-winning author of Paradise Lot and Perennial Vegetables, and the co-author of Edible Forest Gardens as well as a contributor for Drawdown. Eric has studied permaculture and useful plants of the world for over two decades. He managed an urban farm project for five years, ran a seed company, and co-developed a farm business training curriculum that is now used in eight US states and three Canadian provinces. His most recent book is the Carbon Farming: a Global Toolkit for Stabilizing the Climate with Tree Crops and Regenerative Agriculture Practices.
—
This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.

NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference
2023-11-09 - 2023-11-11 | ZOOM
Save the dates and plan to join the North American Fruit Explorers for the NAFEX 2023 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 9-11, via ZOOM or by phone.
Soil food web expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will deliver the keynote address. The conference, which is open to fruit growers of all experience levels, will feature 8 interactive sessions and 12 speakers over 3 days. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recordings later.
Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Speakers and Session Topics
Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.
2022 and 2021 Conference Recordings
Members can also watch all of the recorded sessions from the 2022 Virtual Conference and 2021 Virtual Conference. Recordings from the 2021 Virtual Conference are also available for public viewing on our NAFEXTV YouTube channel.

Growing Figs - A Virtual Interest Group Meetup
2023-10-24 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us for a virtual meetup about growing figs, particularly in colder climates. Author and NAFEX member Lee Reich, PhD, will share to organic methods for growing delicious figs across cool and cold growing zones of North America and beyond. He’ll share suitable varieties, growing methods including pruning techniques, and ideas for small-scale, commercial fig production in cold climates. Bring your questions and fig growing experiences to share, including growing figs successfully in warmer climates. The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Plan to join us!

NAFEX Regional Excursion - Southeast
2023-10-13 09:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Real Life Center, 975 GA-74 N., Tyrone, GA, 30290, United States
Join fellow fruit growers for a day of orchard tours south of Atlanta, Georgia, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The day will include stops at:
1. The non-profit Real Life Center Orchard, a volunteer managed, multi-species orchard that provides food and services to the surrounding community.
2. UGA Griffin Experiment Station where we’ll visit with peach researchers who are doing interesting work on peach varieties, precision irrigation, and canopy management.
3. A casual BYO lunch indoors at UGA where we can talk with fellow fruit growers and share some of our own fruit growing experiences.
4. UGA’s Aronia experiment project, where we’ll talk with researchers about pre-breeding efforts there.
5. Ison’s Nursery and Vineyard to see their grape and muscadine growing operations and learn more about hardy cultivars for the Southeast and more.
Space will be limited to 30 people. The cost is $15 for NAFEX members and $25 for general admission. Annual membership in NAFEX is only $19/year. You can join today at nafex.org.
Reserve your spot today: nafexevents.ticketleap.com/southeast-excursion/
Directions to all locations will be provided in advance via email. We’ll start by meeting at the Real Life Center in Tyrone, GA. We’ll also poll the attendees to see who may be interested in carpooling that day.
Plan to bring your own lunch and any fruit items you’d like to share.
This is a volunteer-run event. Please contact NAFEX at admin@nafexmembers.org with any questions.
All proceeds from registration fees go to the Real Life Center orchard project.

Creating Community Orchards - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2023-09-26 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join NAFEX for a virtual Interest Group meetup for fruit growers on creating community orchards, featuring The Giving Grove. The Giving Grove’s mission is to provide healthy calories, strengthen community, and improve the urban environment through a nationwide network of sustainable little orchards. They support neighborhood volunteers in planting and caring for fruit trees, nut trees, and berry brambles that improve the urban environment, increase tree canopy and provide a sustainable source of free, organically-grown food for neighborhoods facing high rates of food insecurity.
If you are involved with a community orchard, bring your stories to share.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Plan to join us!

NAFEX Regional Excursion - Midwest
2023-09-16 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Sobremesa Farm, 4781 N Mt Gilead Rd, Bloomington, IN, 47408
Sobremesa Farm has generously offered to open up their beautiful permaculture farm and orchard for a special Midwest event. This will be a unique chance to see the hundreds of fruits, nuts and veggies they grow using organic methods!
We’ll be doing a farm tour and discussing the methods they use. We’ll also be talking about climate issues and the increasing challenges we all as growers face with late frosts, drought, torrential rains, etc. We’ll be eager for you to share your experiences.
We will also do an auction, so plan to bring any related fruit or nut items such as grafted trees, rootstock, seeds, books, etc, if you have something to donate.
This will be an excellent opportunity to talk with other growers in the Midwest, learn about different approaches to growing, and discuss what cultivars are, and are not, doing well with these climate challenges.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The cost is $15 for NAFEX members and $25 for general admission. NAFEX membership is only $19/year. You can join today at nafex.org.
Reserve your spot today: nafexevents.ticketleap.com/midwest-excursion/
BYO Lunch, lawn chair, and auction item if you have something to donate. Cash preferred for winning bids but we can take credit card if needed. Dress for the outdoors.
To learn more about Sobremesa Farm, visit https://sobremesafarm.com
This is a volunteer-run event. Please contact NAFEX at admin@nafexmembers.org with any questions. All proceeds from registration fees go to Sobremesa Farm.

NAFEX Regional Excursion - Pacific Northwest
2023-09-10 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Home Orchard Education Center, 20 Inskeep Dr, Oregon City, OR, 97045, United States
The Home Orchard Education Center (HOEC) and orchard will open its doors for a private tour with guest speakers on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. HOEC is located southeast of Portland in Oregon City, OR.
Tonia Lordy, HOEC’s Executive Director, will give a talk about what it takes to establish a small-scale, mixed-species orchard and give a private tour. Tonia will be joined by Joseph Postman, who recently retired from the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, OR.
Joseph is an avid home fruit grower and will share some of the interesting work he did at Corvallis including red-fleshed pear development, Japanese Quince cultivars, multi-species grafting, and much more. We’ll also hear from NAFEX Director Chris Homanics on fruit tree crops.
Enjoy a BYO brown bag picnic lunch where we can exchange ideas with other fruit growers in the PNW region. Plan to bring your lunch (in a cooler, as needed) and a lawn chair. Dress for the outdoors.
Space will be limited to 30 people. The cost is $15 for members of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) and $25 for general admission. All proceeds from this event will go directly to HOEC.
Reserve your spot today: nafexevents.ticketleap.com/pnw-excursion/
Learn more about HOEC at: https://www.homeorchardeducationcenter.org/ This is a volunteer-run event. Please contact NAFEX at admin@nafexmembers.org with any questions.

Growing Kiwi - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2023-08-29 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us Tuesday, August 29, for our monthly NAFEX Interest Group meetup on growing Kiwi. We’ll discuss growing various Actinidia species, including Hardy Kiwi, in various climates.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Plan to join us!

Growing Amelanchier - A Virtual Interest Group Meeting
2023-07-25 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us Tuesday, July 25, for our monthly NAFEX Interest Group meetup on growing Amelanchier species (Serviceberry / Juneberry / Shadbush / Saskatoon). NAFEX member Eric Bina will facilitate the conversation.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers in your inbox or on our member Interest Group page. Plan to join us!

Growing Citrus in Warm and Cold Climates - Virtual Interest Group Meetup
2023-06-27 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Save the date, Tuesday, June 27, for our monthly NAFEX Interest Group meeting on growing citrus in warm and cold climates. NAFEX director and California Rare Fruit Growers member Ryan Raes will facilitate the conversation. The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Plan to join us!

Growing Cherry and Prunus Species, Part 2 - A Virtual Interest Group Meetup
2023-05-30 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us Tuesday, May 30, for Part 2 of our virtual meetup about growing cherry and Prunus species. The last session was so good, but we only scratched the surface. NAFEX director Chris Homanics will again lead a dynamic discussion about any and all Prunus species with a special emphasis on plum. Bring your experiences with or questions about rootstocks, breeding and crosses, and successes (or failures) in varied climates. This forum is for experienced growers and those just getting started.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Members will receive an email with the ZOOM link and call-in numbers on the day of the event. The link will also be posted on the Interest Group page under the Members tab. Plan to join us!

Growing Cherry and Prunus Species - A Virtual Interest Group Meetup
2023-04-25 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us for a virtual meetup about growing cherry and Prunus species. We’ll talk about growing sweet and sour cultivars, native cherries and other Prunus species. Bring your experiences with or questions about dwarfing rootstocks, breeding and crosses, and successes (or failures) in varied climates. This forum is for experienced growers and those just getting started.
The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time. This virtual NAFEX Interest Group meeting is FREE with your $19 NAFEX membership. Members will receive an email with the ZOOM link and call-in numbers on the day of the event. The link will also be posted on the Interest Group page under the Members tab. Plan to join us!

Virtual Grafting Workshop
2023-03-28 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us for a virtual grafting workshop to learn grafting methods for various fruits. NAFEX members will share and demonstrate different grafting techniques, tools, and tips for preparation and aftercare.

This program is both for experienced grafters and folks who are just getting started. The meeting will be held on ZOOM and by phone from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time.

The virtual meetup is complementary for NAFEX members, who will automatically receive an email invitation with the ZOOM link and call-in information before the event. NAFEX members can also find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers on our Interest Groups page on the day of the event.

Not yet a member of NAFEX? Join us today for only $19 at nafex.org.

Growing Mulberry - Virtual Interest Group Meetup
2023-02-28 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Join us for a grower’s roundtable discussion about growing Mulberry. NAFEX director and grower Chris Homanics will lead a discussion with NAFEX members about cultivars, tips for success, preventing diseases, and growing Mulberry in a range of climates.
This forum is for experienced growers and folks who are just getting started. If you’d like to share content on screen, just email us in advance at admin@nafexmembers.org. Participants will also be able to ask questions in the chat.
This forum is FREE for NAFEX members, who will automatically receive an email invitation with the ZOOM link and call-in information before the event. NAFEX members can also find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers on our Interest Groups page on the day of the event. Not yet a member of NAFEX? Join us today

Virtual Interest Group Meeting: Scionwood and Roostock Preparation
2023-01-31 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Learn more about when and how to gather fruit scionwood, how to store and preserve it, along with rootstocks, for field or bench grafting in the spring at the next NAFEX Interest Group meeting. Fruit growers and NAFEX directors Dan Bussey and Larry Stephenson will share their favorite methods and invite other NAFEX members to share theirs. They’ll also talk about rootstock storage and preparation to help ensure grafting success.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A and discussion amongst members about our favorite methods and tools.
This forum is FREE for NAFEX members, who will automatically receive an email invitation with the ZOOM link and call-in information before the event. NAFEX members can also find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers on our Interest Groups page on the day of the event. Not yet a member of NAFEX? Join us today
About our Speakers:
Dan Bussey
Dan Bussey is an apple historian, cider maker and the former orchard manager for the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, IA. He is now the orchardist for the Silverwood Park heirloom apple orchard near Edgerton, WI. Dan is the author of the seven-volume, “Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada,” (2016).
Larry Stephenson
After decades of fruit growing as a hobby, Larry Stephenson finally got the nerve to try it as a full-time business. Today, Larry operates Southern Cultured Orchards & Nursery, based in Carrollton, Mississippi, where he propagates, grows and distributes heirloom, native, and exotic fruit trees. Larry serves as a director of the NAFEX. His business motto is, “yesterday’s trees planted today for tomorrow’s generations.”

NAFEX 2022 Virtual Conference
2022-11-10 - 2022-11-12 | ZOOM
Save the dates and plan to join the North American Fruit Explorers for Good Fruit From the Ground Up, the NAFEX 2022 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 10-12, via ZOOM or by phone.
We are pleased to announce that Steven Edholm of Skillcult will be the keynote speaker. We’re working to finalize the rest of the schedule and will post a link to it soon.
Conference Topics

Homestead Orcharding
Fruit Breeding
Soil Building
Apple Identification and Genetics
And much more

Conference Session Dates and Times
Thursday, Nov. 10 – 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 11 – 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 12 – Noon and 2 p.m. Eastern
Registration and Cost
Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.
Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.
2021 Conference Recordings
Members can also watch all of the recorded sessions from the 2021 Virtual Conference.
Check Back for Updates
Please check back for more information about the 2022 conference in the coming weeks!

Nut Growing: Challenges and Potential
2022-10-25 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Growing nut crops or curious about expanding into nut cultivation? Join Indiana University researcher Julia Valliant as she shares some of the challenges and opportunities in growing nuts as perennial food crops based on her recent research in the midwest. This event is hosted by the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) in collaboration with the Northern Nut Growers Association (NNGA).
Julia will be joined by Karen Vanek, the project coordinator for Restoration Agriculture Development (founded by Mark Shepard and Johann Rinkens) and division manager of Forest Agriculture Nursery. Karen is disciplined in permaculture, ecological design and biological systems and works with growers, including one of the featured farms in this meetup, to establish perennial crop plants.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and discussion amongst members about our experiences growing nuts (and fruit).
This forum is FREE for NAFEX and NNGA members, who will automatically receive an email invitation with the ZOOM link and call-in information before the event. NAFEX members can also find the ZOOM link and call-in numbers on our Interest Groups page on the day of the event. Not yet a member of NAFEX? Join us today
About our Speaker:
Julia Valliant is a public health researcher with Indiana University Sustainable Food Systems Science group. She is trained in the social determinants of health including agriculture and food as forces guiding wellness, and farm policy. She designs and carries out qualitative, quantitative, and ethnographic research methods to locate solutions to specific public health problems. Her work as a documentarian informs her approach to crafting questions and presenting research findings.
