Dr. Gary Nabhan and the Renewing America’s Food Traditions (RAFT) alliance recently convened the Forgotten Fruits Summit, which was held at the UW-Arboretum on March 19th, 2009. This was a national gathering of apple growers, historians, authors and advocates who came together to talk about threatened apple varieties and discuss strategies for restoring apples in the landscape (and how to train a new generation of orchardists).
The event concluded with a tasting at Harvest Restaurant of regional artisanal ciders paired with seasonal dishes. The tasting was not only pleasing to the palate, but also highlighted the potential for more value-added products from orchard fruits for Wisconsin products.
It was a truly historic event and the first (and possibly only) time that this group of fruit experts come together. Had it not been for the gathering that Dr. Gary Nabhan organized, this fruit knowledge may have been entirely lost and forgotten.
You can download a summary of the event with pictures – but if you would like more pictures or any contact information to write an article yourself, let me know and I will get you their contact information. Mark Dohm has put the wonderful photos and videos he took from the workshop on his website. You can view them at: http://albums.phanfare.com/5075152/3627262. If you have any questions or comments on the photos, please contact Mark directly through his website.
Many thanks,
Heidi
Heidi Busse
Madison, WI USA
Mobile: 608-333-5833
TECHNICAL NOTE – The Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network coordinates resources and research for regional growers. We were not able to include their newsletter in your information packet, but want to be sure you are aware of their work so you can tap into their network/resources. The mission of the Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network is to share information and encourage research to improve the organic production and marketing of tree fruit in the Midwest. They publish a quarterly newsletter, organize field days and manage an online listserv. For more information, contact:
Deirdre Birmingham, Coordinator
Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network
Website: http://www.mosesorganic.org/treefruit/intro.htm
Email:
TEL: 608-967-2362
