Monday, September 22, 2025

October Meeting - Muaaz Hassan - The Essence of Grafting

October Meeting - Muaaz Hassan - The Essence of Grafting

Meeting Date/Time: Monday, October 13th, 2025 7pm

Location: Harlee Building/County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221


Muaaz Hassan has been cultivating a 1.5 acre permaculture-inspired food forest in Bradenton since 2018.  He is passionate about sub-tropical fruit trees, and is an advocate for sustainable and natural farming practices focusing on soil health.

Muaaz propagates a selection of high quality nursery stock tailored for central Florida at his backyard nursery. He will present on the essence of grafting.  


His favorite fruits are mangos, annonas, jaboticabas, mulberries and loquats. He is available for appointment at 941-538-2959.

Please bring fruit for the tasting table and/or plants to donate for the raffle (no citrus plants, please). Don’t forget to collect a free raffle ticket for your donation. Your participation is very much needed and appreciated.

A friendly reminder: If you bring a plant, please label what it is. Also, write your name and the plant on the Raffle list. If you win a plant, please put your name next to the plant on the Raffle list.

Do you have a suggestion for a topic or a specific speaker? Let the Program Committee know by completing this online form: Suggestions for Program Topics and Speakers.

MRFC members are encouraged to bring a dish for the tasting table or a plant for the raffle table if you can. Please sign the registers at these tables so that our editor can credit you in next month's newsletter.

We are now accepting 2025 dues (still only $12), please click here for more information about dues and to pay online.You may also pay with cash or check (made payable to MRFC) at this or a future meeting. If you are not sure whether you have paid yet, please ask at the membership table at the meeting.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

September Meeting - Caitlin Sollazzo - Plant Pests and Diseases

September Meeting - Caitlin Sollazzo - Plant Pests and Diseases

Meeting Date/Time: Monday, September 8th, 2025 7pm

Location: Harlee Building/County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221

Our September Speaker
from the Program Committee 

Caitlin Sollazzo is the Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent with
UF/IFAS Extension in Manatee County. She grew up locally and holds a
bachelor’s degree in Entomology and Nematology and a Doctor of Plant
Medicine (DPM) from the University of Florida. In her role, she
supports nursery and ornamental producers with a focus on sustainable
practices, integrated pest management, and plant health.

Her topic will be An Overview of Plant Pests and Diseases. How to tell
the difference between insect, mite, nematode, bacterial, fungal, and
viral issues—plus tips for recognizing common symptoms and knowing
what to look for. This is the first in a series of three talks on
plant pests, diseases, and management strategies for the home grower.
The remaining two presentations will be in 2026.