Monday, December 31, 2007

Newsletter January 2008

******IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN
Time to renew your membership to the local chapter. Send a check made out to CFRG for $10 to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Members who do not renew by January 31 will be dropped from the roster.

******JANUARY MEETING
WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: Norman and Kay Beard's Ranch/Nursery
200 Ellwood Ridge Road, Goleta Ca. 93117
DIRECTIONS: From South 101, turn on Winchester Canyon Road to; Right on Cathedral Oaks Road; First left on Ellwood Canyon Road: Right up hill on Ellwood Ridge Road. Follow the CFRG signs. Park inside on driveway or side of road
AGENDA:
A. Complete replacement of officers
a. Chairpersons (two)
b. Assistant Chairperson
c. Treasurer
d. Newsletter writer and mailer (two)
e. Raffle Coordinator
f. Internet Site Coordinator
g. Refreshment coordinator
B. Demonstration of grafting trees by Dr. Joe Sabol, Cal-Poly Retired
C. Plant Sales (Over 500 plants including 150 bareroot fruit trees
E. Tour of the Beard's Ranch

This will be a busy meeting so be sure to come on time.

We have had much success over the past eleven years of visiting places "Where they Grow", our plan is to stay with that success pattern. In 2008, we need cooperation from all members to give us input on where to visit. So if you have suggestions, write them down and hand them to Norman Beard. Our plan is to make this the best year ever, so let’s make it a "Happy New Year". -- Norm

****** GET YOUR SCIONS READY
Members who wish to share their winter plant-starts or propagation clone-wood, should prepare the materials as follows:
1) Bring leafless, viable, moist, supple wood 8-12 inches long
2) Bring the propagation-wood in air tight bags or wrapped in plastic (keep out of the sun and away from warm temperatures). Add a small, damp paper towel to help keep the wood fresh.
3) Bundle the same wood-types together and label the specific varieties by name or description.
4) If you need to store the wood after pruning, put it in a cool dark, air tight container with a little bit of moisture. You can store the wood for up to several weeks
Examples:
Place the bundled wood in plastic trash bags, store and chill in the veggie compartment of a refrigerator (do not freeze) OR
Bury the bag in the cool soil, or under mulch on the shady, north side of a wall or building.

Remember to bring some cordage or tie-material and a way to label the items you choose to acquire. And be sure to bring a box or bag to carry plant items home.

You will also be able to purchase many excellent, exotic, even rare cultivar fruit trees and winter-season plants at the chapter’s Annual Plant Sale at this meeting. Norman is offering the largest inventory (300+) of Tropical/Sub-tropical plants available for sale; most cannot be purchased at nurseries in the two counties. You can call him at 805-968-0989 to reserve a plant of your choice, prior to the meeting.

This is a great chance to share horticulture wisdom. Please bring friends to the meeting, as this meeting is open to the public. See you there.

Jerry Sortomme

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,723.69.

******LOCAL OFFICERS
Chapter Co-Chair: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net
Chapter Co-Chair: Jerry Sortomme, (805) 644-2777, jerrysortomme@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com
Newsletter Team: (i) Vacant (ii) Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; (iii) Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com
CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com

******LOCAL OFFICERS
Chapter: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net
Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com
Newsletter Team: Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: current material http://crfg.blogspot.com older material: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com;
CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Newsletter November 2007

We welcome United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Scott M. Doyle to our group and thank him for his interest in assisting Norm in organizing meeting

We also thank Jerry Sortomme for all the work he has done over the past several years. Jerry will continue to be available for consultation and will attend meetings when he can.

Norm and the rest of us old-timers are looking forward to our “retirements”, too. To remain viable, our chapter needs an infusion of new blood and new ideas. One of the advantages to our loose structure is that we can be flexible. While a year’s commitment as co-chair is ideal, we welcome members who are willing to set up one or two or three meetings, issue the newsletter every other month, locate venues for indoor meetings, identify a speaker, or organize a potluck.

Contact Norm or me if you would like to help out or if you have an idea for a meeting.

Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com
Norm Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net

******November Meeting/Tour

When: Saturday, November 17
Time: 10:00 to Noon
Where: Ojai Olive Oil 1811 Ladera Rd., Ojai 93023, 805/646-5964, info@ojaioliveoil.com

Description: At the east boundary of the beautiful Ojai Valley is the site of the Asquith Family olive grove. The Asquith grove produces olive oil from nine recognized olive stock cultivars; Frantoio, Leccino, Mission, Columella, Kalmata, Pendolino, Leccio del Corno, Belice and Lechin de Sevilla.

Ron Asquith will tour our CRFG members and guests thru the groves and facilities of this family enterprise. A tasting of various estate olive oils will be a highlight portion of our November tour. Fall is the harvest season for Mediterranean groves, and a wonderful time to taste the diversity of these oils.

Your are encouraged to bring family members, friends and neighbors. The meeting/tour begins 10:00 sharp!

Directions: Take the 101 Freeway to the 33 Freeway north into Ojai traveling along the Ventura River. Keep to the right and drive thru the town of Ojai (on Highway 150) Take Highway 150 for about one and 1/2 miles. Left turn on Carne, drive about one mile. At the 90 degree, turn right and proceed 100 feet. Left at Ladera Road, 1811 Ladera Road.

******Review of the Saturday, October 20 meeting/tour by Jerry Sortomme

Our group met at the Apple Lane Apple Farm near Solvang. The Lanes toured us about their small orchard of well groomed trees. It was the end of the local apple picking season and the last crops of Yellow Delicious, Fuji and Gala were still available. The u-pick, and already harvested apples were for sale at the quaint little red sales shack.

We walked the orchard and saw the low profile pruning techniques used at this farm. Deer invasion and insect coddling moth problems need to to dealt with.

We thank out hosts for a very nice late morning meeting and tour of the orchard, for the delicious apple cobbler that Mrs. Lane baked for us, and for quenching cups of apple juice.

******CALENDAR

DECEMBER: No meeting or newsletter.

JANUARY: Annual pruning demonstration, scion exchange, tour of Norm Beard’s orchard and general welcome of the new year.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: Balance as of October 31, $ 5,703.69

******LOCAL OFFICERS

Chapter: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net

Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com

Newsletter Team: Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: current material http://crfg.blogspot.com older material: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com;

CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Newsletter October 2007

October Meeting

When: October 20, 2007, 10:00 am-noon

Where: Apple Lane Farm, 1200 Alamo Pintado Road,Solvang

Directions: Alamo Pintado Road is just 1/3 mile on the south side of Solvang at Traffic light on State route 246. Turn toward hospital; go onemile, you will see a small red building where the apples are sold on right side of road.

Owners Ted and Peggy Lane have invited us to visit their apple farm. The fall apple harvest is here and oh, is it crisp and sweet!

The Lanes have been growing apples at their farm for the past 20 years. No pesticides, no wax; just fresh, crisp Gala, Golden and Red delicious, Fugi, and Granny Smith apples. Their Granny Smith apples are probably the biggest you have ever seen. You can almost taste the apple crisp and apple dumplings now. By the way, the Lanes have great a recipe for Apple crisp.

The Lanes have raised their family at the home, that is, in the middle of the apple orchard. All the prunning is done by Mr. Lane and his wife gives tours to the local school children on Johnny Appleseed’s birthday.

The Santa Ynez area has the perfect climate for raising good apples. So make sure you attend this meeting to pick and purchase tree ripened apples. The tour of the orchard will start promptly at 10:00 am, so make sure you come a little early, just incase you get lost.

Check out their web site at http://applelanesolvang.com/

****** New Officers Needed
Members, there's a need for someone else to lead the Ventura/Santa Barbara CRFG Chapter, as both Jerry Sortomme and Norman Beard have been perfoming the duties for many years.

They have resigned their duties effective January 30, 2008. The January meeting will be held at Norman Beards place.. The election and appointment of new leaders will be held during that meeting. First, I would appreciate some volunteers. Both Jerry and I will act as Directors to the chapter, so please volunteer, as we will give you all the help we can. I will also be the membership recruiter, continue speaking to garden groups and exhibits at garden shows.

Please discuss this with other members you know and let’s try to find two people who are willing to take over as Co-Chairpersons of the Chapter. We should also name at least three people to form a committee to book meetings for the year 2008.

Thanks for your support,

Norm Beard
968-0989 beardtropics@earthlink.net

******CALENDAR

November: Ron Asquith will host us at the Ojai Olive Oil Ranch.
December: No meeting

******LOCAL OFFICERS

Chapter Co-Chair: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net Chapter Co-Chair: Jerry Sortomme, (805) 644-2777, jerrysortomme@hotmail.com
V-Pres/Publicist/Programs: Alan Schroeder, (805) 563-9525, arschroeder@cox.net
Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com
Newsletter Team: (i) Vacant (ii) Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; (iii) Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: current material http://crfg.blogspot.com older material: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com;

CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Newsletter September 2007

WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2007, 10-Noon meeting

WHERE: Underwood Family Farm, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, 529-3690

DIRECTIONS: Directions: Take Highway 23 to Tierra Rejada Rd. Turn west on Tierra Rejada Road. Go .2 miles to the farm. Parking Instructions:

The Underwood Family Farm grows U-pick and farmers market produce including salad vegetables and fruits. Raspberries are urrently in season. Craig Underwood will give us a tour of the farm on a wagon which holds 35 adults and 15 children.

******CHANGE IN THE BLOGSITE

We have a new blogsite: http://crfg.blogspot.com. This site is for current articles and newsletters. After a couple of months at this site, the material will be archived in http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com. This will make it easier to print the current newsletter.

******CALENDAR

OCTOBER: Apple Lane Farm in Solvang has welcomed us to tour their apple enterprise.

NOVEMBER: Ron Asquith will host us at the Ojai Olive Oil Ranch.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: Balance as of August 31, $ 5,703.69

******LOCAL OFFICERS

Chapter Co-Chair: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net

Chapter Co-Chair: Jerry Sortomme, (805) 644-2777, jerrysortomme@hotmail.com

V-Pres/Publicist/Programs: Alan Schroeder, (805) 563-9525, arschroeder@cox.net

Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com

Newsletter Team: (i) Vacant (ii) Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; (iii) Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: current material http://crfg.blogspot.com older material: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com;

CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com