From the Program Committee
At our June meeting, Dr. Pike will speak on Creating a Kid-Friendly Food Forest: how to plan and design a backyard food forest based on kid-friendly perennials that will replace groceries starting in the first year.
Join us Monday, May 8th, 2023 at 7pm.
Speaker: Dr Sarah Strauss
From the Program Committee
Dr. Sarah Strauss is an Assistant Professor at the IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL. She is the author of many scientific articles on soil microbiology and its applications to agriculture. Her research and extension programs are focused on examining the interactions between soil microbial communities and plant health and productivity in both citrus and vegetable crops. The goal of her applied research is to provide growers with new information and methods for managing and improving crop production and soil health using soil microbiology.
In her presentation, Dr. Strauss will discuss the concept of soil health, and how and why microbes are key components of it. She will also discuss some methods that can be used to impact soil microbes and soil health.
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2023, 9am-3pm
Where: Premier Sports Campus 5895 Post Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
This is a once-a-year opportunity to purchase rare and unusual fruiting trees and plants. 15+ vendors, outdoor event, expert advice.
This is a great opportunity to meet experienced fruit tree growers and purchase trees, fertilizer, and possibly sample some fruit vendors may bring.
We encourage people to bring wagons to haul their chosen trees.
The location will be the same as 2021 and 2022 - Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.
Join us Monday, April 10th, 2023 at 7pm.
Speaker: Marshall Hartley
From the Program Committee
Our April speaker, Marshall Hartley, is the owner of the Hartley Citrus Farm in Lake Wales, Florida. He holds a degree in citrus and horticultural science from Florida Southern and has been a certified crop advisor for 25 years, qualifying him to be an expert witness. He has had an extensive career in many aspects of commercial citrus production and, since 2021, has been a vendor at the MRFC’s annual rare fruit tree sale.
He will speak on proper care of citrus trees in this age of citrus greening and other challenges, focusing in particular on planting, watering, and soil and leaf nutrition. As mentioned in last month’s MRFC newsletter, he will also bring trees for sale.
What: MRFC Monthly Meeting - Palma Sola Botanical Park Tour and Member Discussion
When: Monday March 13th, 2023 at 7pm
Join us Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 7pm
Harlee Building/County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
Speaker: Chris Wenzel
Title: All About Mangos
From the Program Committee
Our February speaker will be Chris Wenzel, native Floridan and founder of Truly Tropical in 1999. On this 5-acre property in residential Delray Beach, she has over 200 fruit trees including over 90 varieties of mangos. Truly Tropical sells fruit and trees, mostly mangos but also avocados, carambola, sapodilla, jakfruit, sugar apple, custard apple, black sapote, jaboticaba, canistel, caimito, pitomba, and miracle fruit.
Chris will discuss how she made her dream of growing mangos a reality. This will include the history of the farm and her efforts to plant, graft and grow over 90 varieties of mangos. Chris will also talk about how new varieties of mangos are developed, and her own efforts to develop superior mango varieties. Mango varieties that originated at Truly Tropical include ‘Best’, ‘Big Jim’, Kaeli-K’, ‘Carpe Diem’ and ‘Marko’.
Be sure to check out Chris’s YouTube channel, with many videos about all aspects of mangos and their horticulture.
What: MRFC Monthly Meeting - MRFC Partners
When: Monday January 9th, 2023 at 7pm
Where: Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave NW, Bradenton, FL 34209