North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Spidra Webster <spidra@speakeasy.net>]

On Jul 1, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Michael Nave wrote:

> I've been an NNGA member for about 16 years. My
> impression is that the older folks are dying off, and
> more importantly, not being replaced by younger folks.

We are having that problem in our local chapter of CRFG and I know  
that a number of other garden specialty groups are having similar  
problems. At 41, I am one of the youngest members of our chapter.  I  
think some of it is that the generation gap has been accentuated by a  
technology gap.  Our older members insist on a paper newsletter  
although an online one would cost the chapter less.  Those who have  
the most knowledge to share are less likely to participate in email  
lists.  I think some compromises will need to be made and groups are  
going to have to look at it as a "marketing challenge" although non- 
profit garden groups of this size are loath to think of outreach as  
marketing (and god knows I have no love of marketing...)

ON THAT SUBJECT, I approached the University of California,  
Berkeley's Botanical Garden with an idea for an event and they liked  
it enough to go with it.  I didn't ask anyone from NAFEX because all  
indications I had were that NAFEX had no chapters near the SF Bay  
Area.  However, if anyone would like to represent NAFEX or NNGA or  
another horticultural group, we would welcome you.

Here's what we sent out a month or so ago:

My name is Deepa and I am the program coordinator for the UC  
Botanical Garden in Berkeley. I have been collaborating with Megan  
Lynch who is a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers and we  
would like to host an event for all of our local garden clubs to get  
together and share information. We are looking at a date of Sunday,  
September 23rd from 10am - 3pm

Please let me know if you would be interested in attending this event  
as a representative of your respective organization. We will be  
setting up tables in the conference center so that each group will  
have table space.

Here is a working description of the event-open to suggestion!

    Cross-Pollination: A Garden Club Fair

 There are various Flower & Garden shows in the Bay Area, but how  
often do gardeners get the chance to network with other gardeners?   
The Bay Area is a hotbed of gardening and as such plays host to a-  
well- host of garden clubs, community gardens, plant societies, urban  
farms, and organizations that use gardening as a means to improve the  
lives of others. Instead of being a large showcase of demonstration  
landscapes, Cross-Pollination brings gardeners and garden clubs  
together.  Even folks who already belong to one society may find they  
have an interest in another society.  Clubs, community gardens and  
plant societies can talk about their missions in the lush  
surroundings of the UC Botanical Garden.  The plant-loving public can  
find out about various special interest and general gardening  
organizations, community gardens and volunteer opportunities as well  
as become better acquainted with all that UCBG has to offer.  What  
user group fairs are to computer users, Cross-Pollination will be to  
gardeners and plant-lovers.

If you're interested in participating, please email me at spidra at  
gmail dot com  Let me know if you'd be willing to do a demo of a  
skill or something else likely to rivet the audience.

Megan Lynch
Berkeley, CA