2014 Rare Fruit Conference at the Fruit & Spice Park
(MIAMI, April 14, 2014) – The Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Society of the Redland, Inc. and the Miami-Dade County Fruit & Spice Park proudly present the 2014 Rare Fruit Conference from Wednesday, July 9th to Sunday, July 13th, 2014. The Rare Fruit Conference has been held at the Fruit & Spice Park since its conception in 1984. The conference features visits to botanical gardens, research stations and programs on rare tropical fruit!
Rare Fruit Conference Highlights include the following:
Tours
- Florida Key Fruit Safari: This tour will visit the historic Grimal Estate, famous for its rare tropical fruit trees, an 80 year old sapodilla grove and native plant habitats of the Florida Keys.
- USDA-ARS-SHRS, National Germplasm Repository: This active USDA Station conducts agricultural research and maintains collection of important fruit crops. Visit a mango breeding program.
- The Kampong, National Botanical Garden: This magnificent historic garden was the home of Dr. David Fairchild and is now part of the National Botanical Garden.
- TREC, University of Florida, Homestead: Part of the University of Florida the exciting research station has been involved with agricultural research and experimentation for many years.
- Montgomery Botanical Center: A nonprofit botanic garden established in 1959, Montgomery Botanical Center keeps living specimens from wild plant populations worldwide. Emphasizing palms and cycads. The 120-acre botanical site is a garden of exemplary design and great beauty.
- The Fruit & Spice Park: Operated by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, the Fruit & Spice Park grows more than 500 varieties of sub-tropical fruits, herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts from around the world on 39 lush acres in the agricultural Redland. The park offers daily botanical tours, fruit tasting and workshops.
Presentations
“Mango Tasting” by Crafton Clift
“Developing the Farmer Chef Relations in Hawaii” by Ken Love
“Myrciaria/Plinia Species” by Adam Shafron
“Wilson Popenoe, The Original Indiana Jones” by Juanita Popenoe
“Fruit Parks of Japan” by Ken Love
“34 Years at the Fruit & Spice Park” by Chris Rollins
Registration Information & Conference Fees:
Full Event Fee per participant: $150
Weekend Fee: $100
Student Fee (must show valid School ID): $75
Please make checks payable to: TFVSR (Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Society of the Redland).
For pre-registration please email [email protected] or mail check to:
Paulette Johnson/Rare Fruit Conference
8951 SW 52 Street
Miami, FL 33165
For more information, please contact Chris Rollins, Fruit & Spice Park Manager, at 305-242-7934 or [email protected].
The Holiday Inn Express, located at 35200 S. Dixie Highway in Florida City, is the official Rare Fruit Conference hotel. The hotel is offering a special conference rate. For reservations please call 305-247-3414.
About the Fruit & Spice Park
The Fruit & Spice Park, operated by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, grows more than 500 varieties of sub-tropical fruits, herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts from around the world on 39 lush acres in the agricultural Redland. The park offers daily botanical tours, fruit tasting and naturalist led workshops. For more information, please visit http://www.fruitandspicepark.org/, or call 305-247-5727.
About the Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Society of the Redland, Inc.
Founded in 1981, the Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Society of the Redland, Inc. is a charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c) (3) organization. Its focus is promoting the knowledge of growing, the use of and distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables and to support the goals of the Preston B. Bird and Mary Heinlein Fruit & Spice Park.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.