Joe Sabol demonstrates his favorite apple grafting techique as our new co-chair Scott Doyle (in the blue striped shirt looks on).

Joe Sabol demonstrates his favorite apple grafting techique as our new co-chair Scott Doyle (in the blue striped shirt looks on).

Joe Sabol demonstrates his favorite apple grafting technique as our new co-chair Scott Doyle (in the blue striped shirt) looks on.

Newsletter July 2007

JULY MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, July 21, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: La Huerta (orchard-garden) Project, Old Mission Santa Barbara
WHAT: The Old Mission La Huerta Project is an one acre+ garden (begun in 2003) that displays hundreds of edible and utilitarian and ornamental trees, shrubs & vines, herbaceous perennials, heirloom garden herbs and seasonal-crop plants that portrays the first introduced horticulture to California, the Spanish mission-era (1769-1834). Also native plants associated with the local Chumash (CHEW-mash) indigenous people are on display.

Agenda: Jerry Sortomme – La Huerta Project manager will host a tour of the mission orchard-garden along the El Rastro pathway, and also tour the overlook level that displays native plant materials some collected from the near-by Channel Islands. La Huerta is a functioning garden and a living museum, history-scape. Project volunteers care for and maintain the garden on Wednesday mornings.

July should be an ideal time to experience the summer format of La Huerta.

Optional: After the two hour tour our CRFG members are invited to stay for a casual BYO picnic lunch at the garden’s ramada patio terrace. A large BBQ will be made available for you (and your family & guests) to grill whatever YOU decide to cook (meat, fruit, veggies, etc.). At 12:00 the Huerta Folks (La Huerta Project volunteers), are invited to join the noon time picnic for a potluck early afternoon gathering. The combined event promises to be a pleasant summer time event. **Please bring your own beverage, utensils, plates, etc..
RSVP PLEASE to Jerry if you plan to stay for the post-meeting, potluck,picnic.
Contact Jerry (by July 18): jerrysortomme@hotmail.com, or H: 805/644-2777.

DIRECTIONS: Note: The La Huerta garden is located in the Old Mission’s restricted, non-public access zone. CRFG members and guests are the special guests of Santa Barbara Mission on the 21st. You will need to park in the restricted parking lot that is separated by fencing and locked gates, from the tourist parking lot.
In Santa Barbara, exit the 101 Freeway at Mission Street. Drive north on Mission Street toward the foothills; past State Street. Turn left turn at Santa Barbara Street. Proceed several blocks, crossing Los Olivos St. Proceed one more block. Turn right turn at Pueblo Street (Pueblo Street dead-ends at Garden Street). Cross Garden Street, and enter the driveway. Proceed 100 yards, take the first right turn at the sign “Old Mission Santa Barbara”. Drive along the south façade of the mission complex. Park in the restricted parking lot. The La Huerta garden is located at the south, lower end of the lot Take the short path (next to the sports court) down to the Huerta garden

******
Summery of the Old Creek Ranch Tour
In June between 15 & 20 members visited Old Creek Ranch in the lower Ojai Valley.

Host John Whitman took us on a walk-about around the ranch office and homestead landscapes and winery facilities. We observed established plantings of: olive trees, apricots, a Nanking bush cherry, chestnut, jujube, apple, pomegranates, plum, walnuts and pecans.

We then toured the recently planted acreage of production cherry trees. Four kinds of commercial cherries are being grown. The unusual winter cold, micro-climate of this part of lower Ojai Valley, allows the ranch to establish cherries. Protective deer fencing will be installed soon to reduce damage to the nearly 2 year old trees. We then walked thru an older orchard grove that had plums, apples, pears and various stone fruits.

Some of our members stayed to sip the boutique wines at the Old Creek Ranch Winery tasting room. A member or two hiked along the ranch roads at the base of Sulphur Mountain.

The historic agrarian rural setting, flowering gardens and a near perfect day made for a charming day. We thank Carmel & John Whitman for hosting our June meeting.

******CALENDAR
There will be no August meeting so our local members can attend the Festival of Fruit in San Diego on August 7-12. Check the CFRG web site or the Fruit Grower magazine for details.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,593.69

******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: 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

Faulkner Farm/UC Hansen Trust

Victorian Mansion/Farm House














Cluster planting of apples

Newsletter June 2007

JUNE MEETING
WHEN: Saturday, June 16, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: Old Creek Ranch & Winery, 10024 Old Creek Road, Oakview (lower Ojai Valley)
HOSTS: John & Carmel Whitman (owners for 20 years)
Optional: stay for general public wine tasting after 12:00 noon. BYO picnic lunch and enjoy the rural setting. Take a short hike perhaps.

DIRECTIONS: From the 101 Freeway, take Hwy 33 north toward Ojai. Leaving Ventura, drive thru the small community of Casitas Springs. On Hwy 33, past Sulfur Mnt. Road and just before the Arnaz Apple Barn, turn right on Old Creek Road and proceed to the end of the road (less than a mile). Enter thru the gate, take the driveway and park by the Ranch office.

Several years ago our Chapter visited Old Creek Ranch and toured the winery operations. This year we will tour the newly established CHERRY ORCHARD and see other old historic orchard plantings and landscaping.

The Ranch is part of an original 22,000 acre Spanish land grant awarded to Don Fernando Tico in the Alta California, Mexican era. 'Mission' grapes once grew here on the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain. But the prohibition years sealed their fate. The next owner Antonio Riva purchased the Ranch in the late 1800s. Pears, apples, stone fruits and other crops were planted in the early and mid 1900s. It was also a cattle ranch. Later beefalo was raised when the Willit Family owned the ranch

In 1976 the Maitlands purchased the Ranch and in the early 1980s planted new orchards and new acreage in varietal wine grapes, and created their own wine label. Sadly the vineyard fell prey to the bacterium that causes Pirece's Disease" and the infested grapestock was destroyed. Now a new vineyard is being planted away from the problem site.

Come join the tour to see the new cherry tree venture, view some of the older orchards and relax and enjoy the quaint, beautiful setting of this genuine rural homestead and ranch.

Afterwards you might like to hike (so bring proper shoes). You can bring a picnic lunch, relax and enjoy the hide away setting. You also have the option to taste the wines of Old Creek Ranch and perhaps bring some home.

****** FAULKNER FARM
At our May meeting our host, Cooperative Extension Agent (Farm Advisor) Ben Faber, gave our group a wonderful tour of this preserved working farm and UC agricultural experiment station.

We toured the grounds around the old Victorian mansion/farm house and got a look at the barns, one of which was over a hundred years old, the other, more recent barn was built to a smaller scale, thanks to an ad agency that was filming a commercial. We viewed the oldest macadamia nut tree in Ventura County.

We saw the new plantings of both solo and clustered groupings of deciduous trees stone fruits, pome fruits, figs, pomegranate, etc. These plantings were to determine how closely fruit trees could be planted. Some groups in circles not more than a yard across seemed to be doing quite well.

We also saw blueberry trials which were trying to identify commercially viable fruit that could be grown in the area. We taste-tested the various trial peas: sugar snap, snow and shelling peas. Ben told us that within the avocado orchard, a coffee variety (planted from seed) of a Panama/Costa Rica Coffee strain is being interplanted with the avocados. Citrus is being bud-grafted and many selections of banana and many other semi-tropical and subtropical cultivars are being grown and analyzed.

Common wisdom has it that pine needles acidify the soil, but few studies have been done on this. The Ag Station is testing this idea. Coffee grounds, pine needles, garden wastes and oak leaves had been dug into sections of soil to determine which changed to ph and to what degree. The test results have been sent to Davis for analysis. One thing that was immediately obvious was that all four substances discouraged seed germination to one degree or other. There were fewer weeds in the test sections (particularly the coffee grounds and pine needles) than in the control plots.

A corn maze (a maize maze) is just sprouting and pumpkin patch is being sown. Keep an eye on the web site (http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu/HansenTrust/) to find out when the maze will be ready.

******CALENDAR
July 21: Tour the Old Mission La Huerta Project at Old Mission Santa Barbara. View the edible orchard trees, seasonal crops and plants that were first introduced by the Spanish missionaries to Alta California starting in 1769 thru 1834. This orchard-garden is a living museum project and is situated in a restricted zone away from the crowds and tourists.

Afterwards it is your option to join the Huerta Folks and friends for a pot luck picnic on the ramada terrace. BYO stuff (share one item for ten). The grill will be available after 11:00.
Parking: at restricted parking lot (directions forthcoming). RSVPs will be requested next month.

August: There will be no local meeting. Be sure to attend the Festival of Fruit in San Diego August 7-12 and celebrate the end of the Year of the Mango.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is 5,583.79.

******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
Raffle Director: Marv Daniels, (805) 773-9311, petmarv@aol.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

Casa del Herrera April 2007 photos by Bob Fisher

Newsletter May 2007

MAY MEETING
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: The Faulkner Farm/UC Hansen Trust, 14292 W. Telegraph Rd. in Santa Paula
HOST: Ben Faber - UC Cooperative Extension Agent (Farm Advisor)
DIRECTIONS: Take HWY 126 (Santa Paula Freeway) to Santa Paula. Exit at Briggs Rd. and head north. Park on Briggs just before Telegraph Rd.

Our chapter members, their families & friends and the public are invited to tour the Faulkner Farm. We will gather for a short meeting (at 10:00 am sharp).

Ben Faber will tour us thru the various areas of this Farm & Ranch that was established in the late 1880s. It is now a preserved and restored urban farm and an agriculture research center and the Faulkner Farm encourages "sustainable horticulture practises".

We will view the newly established deciduous fruit tree orchard, and tour other specialty plantings including: a variety of subtropical edibles, avocados, 37 varieties of cherimoya, blueberries, etc. The Farm has the oldest macadamia in California, but unfortunately oak root fungus has infected it. Ben Faber said that people can do some pruning on the little trees if they wish to.

Hope to see everyone for this wonderful horticulture adventure.
This is an especially good meeting to bring the whole family.

****** CASA DEL HERRERO by Sheila Bartsch
Our April trip to Casa Del Herrero was filled with awe and delight. We split up into two groups guided by Molly Barker and Duke McPherson. Ms. Barker is the Director of Horticulture and Mr. McPherson is the Arborist at the Casa. Our small groups allowed for a personal touch. We met in front of the spectacular Spanish Colonial Revival home designed by George Washington Smith. In front of the home is a Moorish styled fountain centered in the geometric coble-stone drive. It is designed with antique tiles and an elegantly simple water piece. There are many Moorish designed fountains throughout the grounds that have the delicate sounds of a brook being close by.

As we strolled throughout the grounds, the many different gardens slowly revealed themselves. Off the kitchen and patio area is an enchanting herb garden. The aromas of sage, mint, lavender and thyme fill the air. The adobe looking wall separating the patio and herb garden is lined with espalier pomegranate and espalier fig. There’s also a little vegetable garden with artichoke, lettuce, sweet pea and more. A topiary kumquat citrus is close by leading one into the orchard.

The orchard contains a wonderful array of fruits. Some citrus grown in the orchard are the Dancy Tangerine (thin skinned) and the Minneola and Samson Tangelo, a cross between a tangerine and grapefruit, the Bearce orange (sweet and juicy) and lemon trees. Some trees had copper lined trunks to protect them from snails. Other fruits grown are the yellow plums, apricots, cherimoya, loquats, kumquats, lillie-pillies, sapote and a variety of avocadoes in full flower. The orchard is divided by an axis that cuts through the entire grounds.

At the end of our tour we had a table tasting with many citrus, lillie-pillie, cherimoya and some apples from Duke’s house and Jerry’s house. We even had a chance to take some sample fruit home to enjoy.

It was a lovely morning filled with camaraderie and enjoyment. One can return to the Casa for a tour of the inside of the house. The grounds and inside house tour can be arranged by calling the Casa Del Herrero at: 805-565-5635 or write to Casa Del Herrero Foundation, 1387 E. Valley Rd., Montecito, CA 93108 or email at: casatour@silcom.com.

******CALENDAR

Save Saturday, June 16 for our tour of the newly established cherry orchard and perhaps do some wine tasting after the meeting (optional) at Old Creek Ranch & Winery in the Ojai Valley.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,563.79

Newsletter April 2007

APRIL MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2007

WHERE: Casa del Herrero

**NOTE** Due to BINDING LIMITS set by CONDITIONAL USE RESTRICTIONS...ONLY 22 CRFG Chapter (2007 paid-up) members are permitted to attend the Saturday, April 21 tour of Casa del Herrero in Montecito.

Below is a list of paid-up Chapter members that made reservations. They are the ONLY people who be allowed to attend the April event.

1. Mike Bartsch 2. Sheila Bartsch 3. Norman Beard 4. Bob Fisher 5. Betty Gaw 6. Sin Hock Gaw 7. Elaine Grinnell 8. Elaine Jacobson 9. Larry Jacobson 10. Allen King 11. Cynthia King

12. Danny Laub 13. Jon Lipsitz 14. Erin Marshall 15. Shannon Marshall 16. Sheila Marshall 17. Barry Rossington 18. Jerry Sortomme 19. Bernie Storch 20. Miyako Storch 21. Katherine Warner 22. (still available)

Approved attendees above MUST email Jerry Sortomme <jerrysortomme@hotmail.com>, or call 805/644-2777 for time, address, directions and parking information. Contact Jerry if you want to be on a waiting list, should an opening occur.

Anyone who needs to bow out of this April 27 event contact Jerry so the slot can be filled by a paid member on a waiting list.

NOTE** two individuals signed-up for the April meeting at the February meeting in Ojai (Pete Dibble and Laura Creasey) who are not currently on the 2007 membership roster, nor on the old 2006 roster. .Since they could not be contacted, they needed to be dropped from the Casa del Herrero attendance list. If any one knows how to contact either of these people, let Jerry know.

******MEMBERSHIP

The 2007 membership list, as of March 27, is printed below. If your name does not appear on the list, according to our records you have not paid your dues. Anyone whose name is NOT on the list will be DROPPED from the membership at the end of this month. If you have paid and your name does not appear on this list, contact the Roland (969-4167). If your name is not spelled correctly, contact Laura 687-4553 laurainsb@gmail.com.

You may renew your local membership by sending $10 to the treasurer - Roland Messori, Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Annual dues for our parent organization is $30. The form for renewing can be found on-line at cfrg.org or on the last page of the CRFG bimonthly FRUIT GARDENER magazine. Membership to both state & local in 2007 is necessary for organization insurance coverage reasons.

******LOOKING AHEAD

Our May 19 meeting to the Faulkner Farm in Santa Paula is open to all members, their family members, guests and interested individuals. Cooperative Extension Agent Ben Faber will be our host. We will be touring the preserved urban farm and viewing the NEW deciduous fruit orchard and other established plantings and exhibits --.a perfect family event.

******NOTES ON THE ARROYO HONDO PRESERVE MEETING by Sheila Bartsch

We started our meeting in front of the old adobe, nestled in the citrus orchard at the beginning of the canyon. Jerry’s wife made delicious cookies shared by all. We met our docent, Al Thompson and the Preserve’s manager, John Warner. They both were very informative and knowledgeable about the preserve’s history, plant and animal life. Jerry added much information along the way. The mission of the preserve is to protect and improve the area. There is much evidence of both as we looked in amazement at the 100 year old lemon tree in the orchard.

We hiked up the canyon to Look Out Point and along the way we passed a pear tree planted in 1820. Both the lemon and the 1820 Padre pear tree were probably originally from Spain. Their provenance is sketchy but thought to arrive in Santa Barbara through the smuggling trade. Arroyo Hondo’s flowery history includes a stage coach stopping between Santa Barbara and Lompoc. Many items were smuggled on the stage coach and traded here to avoid taxes by the Spanish.

We meandered across the river several times, enjoying Native California plants along the way. The chaparral and riparian landscapes collide providing many micro-niche climates where a variety of plants thrive. A few of the plants we encountered were hummingbird sage, milk thistle, elderberry, bush flower and nightshade. The Chumash Indians used many of these plants for medicinal cures. The blooming Ceanothus in shades of blue and white were spectacular. We were in awe when we caught site of the 100 year old Mission (Listan Prieto) grapevine with a 5 inch diameter climbing high to the top of the tree canopy. Although there weren’t any grapes to harvest, the vine was still eking out an existence. Debra Hall, viticulturist and owner of Gypsy Canyon Winery in Lompoc was part of our group. She restored three acres of 100 year old ‘Mission’ grapevines from which she makes an authentic dessert wine which she calls Angelica.

Near the end of our loop hike we saw a beautiful yellow swallowtail butterfly perched on a blooming Clematis. It was a terrific day and a real treasure to have the opportunity to spend the day in the Arroyo Hondo Preserve.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,523.29.

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).

))))))))))))((((((((((((

CRFG V/SB Chapter Membership

As of March 27, 2007

Anderson, Jack
Barker, Molly
Bartsch, Michael & Sheila
Beard, Norman
Berman, Robert
Chrostowski, Marshall
Clark, Jane
Clayton, Marilyn
Cleveland, David
Cline, Richard
Elandt, Kenneth,
Fisher, Bob
Gaw, Betty
Green Francis.
Gregory, Nickey
Grinnell, Elaine
Guerrero, Raul,
Homze, Sharon
Keim, Judith,
King, Allen
Kirk, Doug
Kocher, Carl & Marilyn
Laub, Danny
Lipsitz, Jon
Marshall, Elaine
Matthews, WalteMeierhoefer, Heide
Meister, Jules
Messori, Roland
Michel, Kristy
Nanna, Laura
Nishimura/Warren
Noell, Vernon’
O’Gara, Mike Parks, Jean
Pinkerton, Arlene
Robbins, Gabrielle
Rodrigue, Jacob
Rossington, Bary
Russel, Edgar
Schroeder, Alan, R
Schumacher, Gerhardt
Sortomme, Jerry
Stevens, Michael,
Storch, Bernard
Valdivia, Edgar
Van Dyke, Bruce
Vieth, Bob
Walcher, Mary
Warner, KE

Arroyo Hondo Preserve

Old adobe



















'Mission' grapevine, over 100 years old, reaches for the canopy.

Newsletter; March 2007

MARCH MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2007, 10-Noon

WHERE: Arroyo Hondo Preserve (Land Trust for Santa Barbara County)

WHAT: The Arroyo Hondo Preserve, is a 782-acre coastal canyon preserve located up the coast from Santa Barbara. It is called the "Jewel of the Gaviota Coast" and “Little Yosemite”. This old ranch was a colorful part of early California history and now has both, preserved agricultural and natural sites and environs to enjoy. Nestled into the headquarters facility are groves of edible orchard trees, grapevines and a garden-like setting. The famous 'Padre' pear tree (circa 1800, planted in Spanish mission times) still grows and produces fruit to this day. "Mission" grapevines and olives grow further back in the canyon.

Al Thompson will be leading our group. He was the horticulture historian at Mission La Purisima (Lompoc) until just recently, and is now a docent/guide at the Preserve. Our Chapter will tour the horticulture grounds but our members are invited to enjoy the whole Preserve after the meeting, until 4:00. You can stay for your own picnic lunch and hike on your own after the meeting. The preserve closes at 4:00 pm. Bring water, sunscreen, and wear sturdy walking shoes.

John Warner is the Preserve Manager and can be contacted at 805/567-1115.

DIRECTIONS: Arroyo Hondo Preserve, On HWY 101 between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Beach. (14900 Calle Real Gaviota, California 93117 567-1115 <arroyohondo@sblandtrust.org>)

From Santa Barbara: Take Hwy. 101 north (23 miles past La Cumbre Rd. Overpass)...Approximately 4.5 miles past Refugio State Beach on Hwy. 101, be on the look-out for a beige concrete bunker-style building on the right (Tajiguas Landfill). The preserve is exactly 1/2 mile farther. Immediately after CalTrans Call Box #101-412, make a sharp RIGHT turn from the highway into the Preserve. The gate will be open. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge and park by the BARN.

From Buellton: Take Hwy. 101 south, approximately 6 miles past Gaviota State Park and 1/4 mile after the Vista Point Rest Area. Make a U-turn at the Tajiguas Landfill into the northbound lanes of Hwy. 101, and proceed north. Immediately after CalTrans Call Box #101-412, make a sharp RIGHT turn from the highway into the Preserve. The gate will be open. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge and park by the BARN.

******MANY THANKS

...to Gordon Kennedy for hosting the February 17 meeting at Riverbear Mulberry Farm, Miners Oaks in Ojai. The morning meeting was an interesting tour of the many White and Black Mulberry grove trees and a wide variety of other edible trees and perennial crops. The taste testing of winter citrus selections and carob pods was an unexpected treat.

******CALENDAR

April 21 Casa del Herrero. Our April meeting is a "SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE" situation. Our Chapter has been invited to visit the historic, turn-of-the-cenrury estate landscape and edible gardens of Casa del Herrero, Montecito. ***DUE TO A CONDITIONAL USE RESTRICTION*** there is an absolute limit of 22 people and only 15 cars. At this posting... 19 of 22 slots are already reserved. Members who attend must be in "good standing" and have their 2007 $10 Chapter dues paid-up. (See Membership below) To reserve a remaining slot (first-come basis) needs to call Chapter co-president, Jerry Sortomme 805/644-2777. Once the 22 limit is reached, that is the maximum allowed.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,392.69

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).

Newsletter: February 2007

FEBRUARY MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, February 17, 2007, 10-Noon meeting

WHERE: Riverbear Farm, 913 Oso Rd., Meiners Oaks (Ojai Valley) Host: Gordon Kennedy – Owner Phone: 805/646-4608 Cell: 805/218-5698 Email: caveman@ojai.net

WHAT: This farm is the oldest established mulberry farm in North America (nearly 30 years old), with 66 mulberry trees and 116 other fruiting trees (both deciduous and non-deciduous) including citrus, che and other exotics. You can read about this farm in the November/December '06 issue of the CRFG Fruit Gardener (p. 28, The Marketplace under Classified Ads.

See you there... weather permitting (Sprinkles is sissy weather)

DIRECTIONS: Take 101 Freeway to Hwy 33 (north to Ojai) Stay on Hwy 33, LEFT at the fork (do not drive Hwy 150 into the town of Ojai) Past Nordhoff High School LEFT at El Roblar Dr., continue until it dead-ends at Rice Rd. RIGHT on Rice Rd. Proceed on Rice Rd. past Fairview Rd. LEFT on Meyer Rd. RIGHT on Oso Rd.

******MANY THANKS

…to Bruce Van Dyke for a superb grafting clinic. And to Norm Beard for provide a great setting and a wonderful tour.

*******CHECK IT OUT

http://www.nalusda.gov/speccoll/collectionsguide/mssindex/pomology/pomology.shtml

Check out this USDA National Agricultural Library page for watercolor pictures of fruit. The watercolors were commission in the late 1880s to aid plant breeders in the accurate documentation and dissemination of their research results in a period when many new varieties and species were being introduced into this country. The miscellaneous fruit section contains tropical and rare fruit.

******CALENDAR

March 17 Arroyo Hondo Preserve

April 21 Casa del Herrero

******RENEWAL TIME

Renew your membership in the local chapter by sending $10 to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108.