North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Road's End Farm <organic87@frontiernet.net>]

Something to remember about the affordability of fees: not only does whether an amount seems like a lot vary drastically from person to person, for many people it isn't just a question of "can I afford to join NAFEX?" It's a question of, "how many of these equally worth while and fascinating organizations/info sources can I afford to subscribe to this year?" I get requests to join/help fund far more such groups -- even if we only limit it to groups involving fruit exploring/seed saving/farming/environmental groups, and leave out all the others -- than I could possibly afford to pitch in on. Even after I delete the ones whose finances or tactics I'm dubious or unhappy about, there are still too many.

The decision is, at least in my case, partly force of habit. But whenever I can't resist the temptation of adding somebody, the likelihood is that somebody else, next time their renewal is up, will be dropped off the list. For what it's worth, this email group increases the chances that NAFEX stays on: I feel guilty enough not writing articles for Pomona (I have no idea why it's so much easier for me to post email), but I would feel guiltier yet staying on this list if I let the subscription lapse. (just checked: I'm paid up through summer 08.) But I found the email list through Pomona, not the other way around. I no longer remember how I came across Pomona; but my guess is that I picked up a copy either at a conference, or in the free basket at the library. So I think conferences and libraries are good places to scatter some around. 

--Rivka
Finger Lakes NY; zone 5 mostly