Hi Steven et al,
Are there going to be speakers this year? Sometimes there are and sometimes there aren't. Just curious. Thanks
John S
PDX OR

[quote="Steven":3ilx1hci] I know that Vern Nelson will be speaking on Espaliers from 12:45 – 1:45 pm (Saturday March 7)

Steven[/quote:3ilx1hci]

Ouch! …but then again, that’s when us grafters often get a break … when everyone’s off listening to one of our excellent speakers! When class ‘lets out’ they’ll enthusiastically return to ‘fill us in.’ It’s great – don’t miss it folks - productive trees and vines may be of ‘growing importance’ in the near future ~

Boy was it packed! Just like last year. I was surprised that the All about Fruit Show was not as packed. Maybe this is a sign that people are really getting into growing their own fruit. Sustainability.

I mentioned to my wife Gail that there were not many young people there and she said that most people in their 20's don't own property, so why would they invest in fruit grafting and planning. Good point. I didn't do that much gardening in my 20's for exactly the same reason: I had to pack up, move and give away plants each summer.
John S
PDX OR

John;

“I mentioned to my wife Gail that there were not many young people there and she said that most people in their 20's don't own property, so why would they invest in fruit grafting and planning.”

John, I gave up on my young friends decades ago… Inheriting the ‘family homestead,’ I took over a well established orchard, or ‘cabin’ surrounded by 65 year old trees (on standard rootstock!). I was in Heaven! Having spent weeks at a time ‘out here’ as a kid, then hauling boxes of fruit back to our city lot in Portland; I was then “in charge” of the trees that had most given me an appreciation of fruit! Digging into books on orcharding (while perpetually seeking employment) I stumbled onto the Home Orchard Society – and jokingly remain the youngest long-time member… often arriving to their picnics on my motorcycle. Armed only with enthusiasm, I began suggesting to my friends (many relatives) to plant Fruit Trees! “Why?” was the usual response…

“So you can eat the fruit” I’d respond! One, in the money and having bought a rich half acre outside of Oregon City, informed me I “should have been there a week ago when we pulled out two cherry trees!” …Sure enough, just past the new redwood deck & hot-tub were the ruts and holes of where they’d used a 4-W-D to ‘remove’ two beautiful 15 or so year old cherry trees… Still makes me sick. “What would we do with cherries” they asked? “Eat them” I proclaimed! “My parents have acres of cherry trees (in Hood River, Oregon), and if I want cherries I’ll just get a box from them, but we don’t want them rotting in the yard or on the new deck”… was the response. Yes, a spoiled rich kid (and relative I don’t fear stumbling onto this..), he apparently had better things to do.

The rest of my friends informed me they weren’t “Where we want to be”… “I figure I’ll go through a couple more houses before we end up with property” one said. “So plant them to enhance the value of this place” I’d suggest. “Where?” “And how?” …I eventually gave up... Now they visit ‘out here’ and salivate over my productive menagerie, openly admitting they wished they’d have had an appreciation of fruit trees and vines long before ‘now.’

I admit it’s generally people ‘my age’ & older across the grafting table starting the orchards of their dreams … but somebody has to~ I also remember being told why friends and relatives wouldn’t bother grafting – “It will be years before I’d have fruit.” Though I’ve learned Years Happen - they almost discouraged me… but it was apparently too late as I’d been sufficiently infected and had already set about grafting anything I could find with every graft in the book. Now I hang from and climb into those grafts, some so thick people think I’m BSing them, or just seriously mistaken as I point out a one-time graft. Production? …Had to buy a serious apple press with electric grinder to keep up!

If any of you youngsters want some instant friends – get with the HOS! Mentoring youngsters is a Society-wide endeavor! …and “Society”… I also envision enthusiastically describing my participation in this Society to my same young friends, “What kind of a Society” they’d ask..? …taking a few steps back… Nearly as difficult as explaining a “Scion!” -- let alone a graft. But you know what? I got the last laugh " title="Laughing" /> …until I fall out of a tree!

Lee;

“What was also apparent to me was the lack of racial/ethnic diversity. Perhaps some specific outreach to specific community organizations/associations would be helpful; or at least, seeking ways to include event announcements into more targeted media outlets.”

Agreed; and curious? There may be a cultural aspect I’m unaware of… but any homeowner, or perspective homeowner, should appreciate several maintained fruit trees on the lot or property. I’m seriously wondering if the current economic implosion won’t spark members of every community to more seriously consider planting fruiting trees and vines? Actually, as into ‘this’ as I am – it’s always been a Garden First for me. I’ve planted a garden every year for the past 25, but suspect planting fruit trees or vines is closely related. As many of the (vegetable) gardens that cause me to stop and stare are the work of those we see few if any faces at the propagation fair; it makes me wonder, too.

Funny, I was looking over a book I’d recommended a few threads back and noticed an old, thick-nosed white guy peering through ‘coke-bottle’ lens glasses as he completed a graft… Though I’m inching toward the look … I’ve at least proven you don’t have to be old (if not white) to garden or graft! You can be green and stupid – and I suspect any color in the spectrum if sufficiently inspired

I just received a brief e-mail report from our HOS Membership Chair, Stan Townsend. Not only did he ‘man’ the door at the FPF or “Scion Exchange,” but he sold, renewed, then went home to tally our memberships.

“We had over 600 people attend the FPF [Fruit Propagation Fair] including volunteers. There were 104 new members and 59 renewals. There are now 680 members which is the largest total since I have been keeping the records.”

I was nearly blown-away before the show when I saw the size of the crowed waiting to get in and described them as 'at least a hundred people' – there could easily have been twice that! The total member number looks good, too. We’d have a mighty big Picnic if everyone decided to attend!

My thanks to those, like Stan, who do all that behind-the-scene work … while some of us simply revel in the glory

PS: Stan - add two more at the show - me & mine never signed in...