Red Mulberry Search and Rescue – NAFEX 2025 Virtual Conference, Session 7

Red mulberry (Morus rubra) produces delicious, complex fruit and shows strong potential for both backyard and commercial production — yet they’re slowly disappearing as invasive white mulberries (Morus alba) threaten to hybridize them out of existence.

Working with a team of researchers, Weston Lombard led the Mulberry Search and Rescue Contest to crowdsource pure rubra specimens, DNA-test them, and identify the best specimens for potential distribution. Early results are promising: pure or nearly pure red mulberries still exist, and with preservation and propagation, this important native fruit may yet thrive.

Join Weston to learn more about this ongoing research and how to grow and preserve red mulberry in your orchard.

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This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2025 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 6-8, 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 9 speakers over 3 days. Plan to join us!

Conference Session Dates and Times

Thursday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 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