January 2022
2022 Scion Exchange
Join us at our Scion Exchange January 30, 2022 at Soquel High School! This outdoor Scion Exchange offers CRFG members and the public an opportunity to select scions that can be grafted to rootstock or to existing fruit trees. Current members of CRFG may enter the event at 11 AM; Non-members are welcome to participate from 12-3 PM. Entry Fee & Items Available for Purchase Current CRFG Members: Free Admission for the Public: $5.00 Scions: Free with paid admission Limit…
Find out more »October 2021
Orchard Tour
Freddy Menge, picking ripe apples. On October 3rd, 1 to 3:30 pm, we invite you to visit Epicenter Orchard in Watsonville, the home of Freddy Menge’s apple, pear, plum, and cherry collection/orchard, the source of many of the apples offered for tasting in the annual MBCRFG apple tasting (cancelled this year due to Covid). During this tour and fruit tasting, we will walk through the trees and talk about growing fruit holistically, pruning styles, wildlife and insect habitat creation, irrigation,…
Find out more »September 2021
Cider Making Presentation Featuring Jim Rider
Jim Rider will be giving a presentation on September 28 via Zoom on the mysteries of making cider! Jim Rider is a power hitter in the local fruit world and beyond. A 5th generation Pajaro Valley apple grower with a master’s degree in Pomology from Cornell, for decades he’s been a local leader as an innovative and influential organic orchardist, a pioneering red-fleshed apple breeder, and longtime MBCRFG member. He's also a mainstay provisioner of apple and pear wood for…
Find out more »March 2021
March Meeting: Avian Pest Control / Elderberries
We have two terrific speakers planned for the evening. First, Jo Ann Baumgartner from the Wild Farm Alliance will speak to us regarding AVIAN PEST CONTROL – encouraging birds to inhabit our spaces to control pest insects, rodents and pest birds. This should be a great presentation – and we will follow her talk with a Q&A session. Second, Katie Reneker from Carmel Berry Company will discuss ELDERBERRIES! Many of us have expressed interest in elderberries, and Katie is just the person to…
Find out more »February 2021
Scion Exchange 2021
We are glad to be able to still offer a safe and scaled-back winter Scion Exchange this year pursuant to public health guidelines, on a socially distanced order-fulfillment/pickup model. In order to accomplish this, our 2021 exchange is limited to members (join here) who list their donations/requests sufficiently in advance of our January 31, 2021 (Feb 7 for rainout) pickup date. Full instructions are provided by email. We are exchanging dormant fruitwood, seeds and plants, of scores of varieties.
Find out more »December 2020
Holiday “Potluck” Meeting
Our year-end holiday potluck meeting will be held virtually via Zoom this year. Complete details on our email list. Year in review Lightning presentations: Making Hoshigaki (w/ Ken Konviser), Interstem Grafting (w/ Freddy Menge) Member "Show and Tell" slideshow Board elections
Find out more »November 2020
“Growing Rare Subtropical Fruits in Santa Cruz County”
"Growing Rare Subtropical Fruits in Santa Cruz County" Presentation by Nate Blackmore, followed by Q&A Saturday, Nov 14 2020 at 7pm (Join early at 6:45 to ensure your entry!) A meeting of the Monterey Bay, California Rare Fruit Growers Remote video-seminar via Zoom, link to be provided to chapter members at 6:45pm, 11/14 (non-members can register here for overflow attendence) "Have you ever thought about growing tropical fruits? Dreamed of being able to find the flavors that remind you of…
Find out more »August 2020
Subtropicals and Tropicals in California Agroecosystems
"Subtropicals and Tropicals in California Agroecosystems" Presentation by Barath Raghavan, followed by Q&A A meeting of the Monterey Bay, California Rare Fruit Growers. Remote video-seminar via Zoom. Attendance limited. Priority admission to members of MBCRFG (join), and additional seats will be made available to non-members who pre-register here. "In this talk I'll discuss 100+ edible subtropical and tropical species and some (ongoing) experiences growing them outdoors in various microclimates in Northern and Southern California, both in the ground and in…
Find out more »May 2020
Live Video Seminar: “Producing Avocados in Northern California”
Join Monterey Bay CRFG online for this inspiring and informative live presentation on avocado horticulture from MBCRFG's own Ellen Baker and Freddy Menge, of Epicenter Avocado Nursery in Santa Cruz Co, California. They will discuss the basics of successful avocado planting and care, variety selection, as well as some of their unique observations on avocado pollination and culture in our more marginal northern region, and will answer live questions on these subjects. Because of shelter-in-place health provisions, we are holding…
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