It has been just a few weeks over 10 years since the Forum was started.

I thought it was a worthwhile endeavor. i learned from it and hopefully helped to educate others.

With that said, I am not inclined to play referee between a bunch of people who don't know how to control themselves, so it is time to say good-bye.

Very, very disappointing. Please don't do anything rash.

Is the forum still active?

Jon, if you're up to it, email me or give me a call. Or drop by for a visit.

Jon, I have no idea if I can even post this or if you will be able to read it but I want to thank you for bringing us all together and wish you all the best.If this is the end I hope you keep the forum at least accessible if not interactive to stand as a monument to what has been built,a community,and also a reminder of what can happen when we allow the few to divide the many.Again,thank you

I agree, thank you for creating a platform which has done so much to educate so many over the years. A read only option would be an outstanding idea to preserve massive amount of knowledge gathered here.

Please keep the forum going. I haven't graduated to much beyond the noob status, but I check this forum most every day. Sorry for whatever crap you are experiencing, but know that this is a great resource. And thank you

Thanks for the unlimited info your forum has produced!!! Sorry you had to see the bad for all the good you've done. You know the old saying nice guys finish last. I guess you can't make everyone happy. I hope what ever you do continues to succeed. I also hope you never again have to face attacks for trying to be decent to everyone. I know I haven't been a member a real long time, but Thanks for the forum it's been great!!

Jon, thank you for forming this forum and offering an avenue to guide me thru this wonderful hobby of growing figs. I totally understand your pain and anger from the words of the few. However, personally I hope you will reconsider. The real losers from this verbal attack on your character are the newbies and the newbies that follow them. Thanks again.

Hi Jon. I have used and have learned a lot from this site since 2011 when I was just a lurker. You have provided a great service to us all over the last 10+ years. I have always admired your patience and acceptance of differing opinions on issues over this time period. You have always struck me as someone who is pro-acceptance of all collectors and growers. It is very easy to ban or censor members for strong opinions and comments. Yet, you have allowed free speech. For me, this is right up my alley, because I believe in most cases, folks want to blow off steam or get their point across. It doesn't mean you, as the administrator, "don't care or are oblivious". It simply means you are allowing free thought and opinion to flow. Yes, it can be frustrating to some and may not suit their thought process, but it allows those who don't agree to voice concerns as well. That's hard to do as an administrator. I can absolutely understand that. It is much easier to to take action. The wise man allows ALL voices to be heard. That is what makes the forum great. I know you must be stressed over current events. Please remember your mindset. This too, shall pass. I am indebted to you for this forum. We all are. You have helped so many people. If there is anything I can do to continue this proud tradition, please let me know. I love this forum, the first of its kind. You are a pioneer with tradition. I want this great tradition to continue. Thanks for your consideration. Bill

Hi Jon, I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful forum. I never post, but lurk and read to glean information. This place has given me countless hours of entertainment and tons of knowledge. I have also watched in degrade and wondered what could be done to stop it. If you must get rid of the forum I understand even if I want it to stay around forever. Hope you find a way to stop the squabbling and convince these grown men and women to grow up, it's time everyone realizes they are ruining this hobby for everyone.

I also wanted to say thank you for all that do for this forum. I'm sure it has not always been easy...at times, members forget that u have a full time job secondary to moderating this forum. I think in order to moderate this forum, you would need to be in here 24/7 and of course, it is not realistic by any stretch of imagination...it is sad to see that a few negative members can cause a collective many members to go without the knowledge gained from here. I have met a very few members who I have gotten to know in the last year or so. I can't thank enough. It is thru them that the love of figs continue...as they are more than supportive and most importantly, they have the patience in teaching me how to root cuttings when I wanted to give up on this hobby. All in all, I'd like this forum to exist mainly due to the many wisdoms imparted by the vets. I'd also wish that members can be more mature and more accepting of our differences but not be so mean to each other...wished it was different but I totally understand that u will do what you feel is the right thing to do. Again, thank you!

It's the first thing I do when I go to work. And one of the last things I do before bedtime. Reading the fig post brings me joy.

Jon, this forum brings me so much joy. I want to say this place is such a refuge from the world of politics and everything. I understand what lead to your decision to close the forum but i hope it can be opened again one day.

Jon, thank you for all you have done on this forum. I am going to really miss it and I hope you will reconsider your decision.

Seems a tragedy to let the wealth of knowledge throughout the years to disappear without a trace in an instant. Please reconsider Jon.

Thanks Jon

I learned so much from these forums and have amassed a collection of high quality fruits I'm not sure I otherwise would have known existed. The knowledgeable and generous community has deepened my appreciation for not only fruit and gardening, but nature as a whole, which has been transformative for my outlook on life. It's been great. Thanks.

Very sad, but nothing lasts forever. I do hope somehow the knowledge from this forum is archived. It is too precious to be lost.
I guess now I'll finally have to sign up at the 'other forum'...

Thanks for running the forum all these years it's been great and I've learned a lot. Hope to see it back up and running some day.

Thanks Jon, please consider charging annual fee, a lot of people will be on board including me. It is a small scrafice to keep the forum going and help the Fig Foundation grow...

Agree with Lebmark completely. We want to help to continue this great resource and tradition.

Jon,
i appreciated the hands off approach, way better than over moderation...

Still, maybe a few hand picked moderators could be of serious value, if they share your ideas and values. I understand you also run a business, and if this forum is now a liability, that would be very sad.

You were clear on the 7 dollar tree thread that figcuttings.com was not likely to deliver when you locked that thread. I am sorry some have thrown very unfounded accustions against your character.

I wish to thank you for expanding my Fig and general gardening knowledge...with your website and via your forum.

Yes thank you Jon and all the generous, amazing gardeners here. My life and garden are richer for knowing all of you. Happy figging!