North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jerry Lehman <jwlehmantree@gmail.com>]

We have space available for 40 additional speakers. Mark your calendars 
now and plan to attend.
*2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS *
The North American Fruit Explorers and the Northern Nut Growers 
Association announce their joint conference (annual meeting) which will 
be held at the University of Georgia, Tifton Conference Center, from 
Sunday, August 13 through Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Participants will 
be able to attend both nut and fruit sessions for the registration fee.  
Members receive a discount, while the registration fee will entitle 
non-members to one year’s free on-line membership in either the NNGA or 
NAFEX.  A listing of the presenters, registration information, 
discounted hotel accommodations, and travel information will be posted 
on our web sites, www.nafex.org and www.nutgrowing.org by mid-February.
Here is the proposed agenda:
Board meetings will be held on Sunday morning.  Registration will take 
place on Sunday afternoon, followed by a Welcome Buffet Dinner.  At 7:00 
PM we will have a Show and Tell Session, where members can talk about 
their nut and fruit growing experiences.
Monday and Tuesday are devoted to scientific and technical presentations 
on growing nuts and fruits.  There will be presentations on other 
agricultural crops and on marketing strategies.  A wide variety of 
speakers will be invited including researchers, commercial growers, and 
backyard enthusiasts.  There will be concurrent presentations, along 
with Open Space and breakout sessions.  You may attend sessions on the 
subjects of your choice.
Monday evening will feature our annual auction. This is a great way to 
have fun while raising money for the research efforts of both 
organizations. It is also an opportunity to advertise your product to a 
captive audience.  Hand made donations, seedlings, nuts and fruits, 
baked goods, and unique products for this event are needed.
Tuesday evening’s theme is “Georgia on My Mind”, with traditional 
Southern food and entertainment.  We will conclude the business meeting, 
which opened on Monday morning, select the “Big Nut” for the year, and 
enjoy an evening of socialization.
Wednesday will be devoted to a tour of the University of Georgia’s 
experimental plantings; the Future Farmstead, which is an energy 
independent experimental farm and farmstead; the USDA station in Byron 
Georgia; and the Fort Valley Agricultural College. At the end of the 
tour, we will have dinner at the scenic Horse Creek Winery in Sparks, 
Georgia.
Separate activities are planned for CAP (Companions Alternate Program) 
for the spouses and those accompanying members. Among these is the trip 
to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton.  The goal is to have 
something for everyone.
CALL FOR PAPERS       We have 30 to 40 minute time slots for the formal 
presentations on Monday and Tuesday.  Show and Tell talks can be 
anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.  We welcome your contribution as a 
speaker.  PowerPoint (AV) projectors will be available.  If you would 
like to offer a presentation or a less formal talk, please contact our 
Conference Program Director, Prof. Michele Warmund at 
warmundm@missouri.edu. For other questions or information, contact Jerry 
Henkin, Chair of the 2017 NAFEX/NNGA Conference, at sproutnut@aol.com, 
(914) 282 – 1371.