For those of you who do not live in Paradise, you may not have heard of the California Rare Fruit Growers (AKA: CRFG). I have been a member of the North County San Diego Chapter for a few years now. I rarely get to attend any functions due to my busy schedule. When I do make it to a meeting, I always leave smiling because I have so much fun talking to everyone there. I was wondering who else on this forum is a member of CRFG and what chapter?

[QUOTE=cyberfarmer]For those of you who do not live in Paradise, you may not have heard of the California Rare Fruit Growers (AKA: CRFG). I have been a member of the North County San Diego Chapter for a few years now. I rarely get to attend any functions due to my busy schedule. When I do make it to a meeting, I always leave smiling because I have so much fun talking to everyone there. I was wondering who else on this forum is a member of CRFG and what chapter?[/QUOTE]

Paul,

I’ve been thinking to join for a while.
Can you describe briefly your experience? What the meeting are about?

@greenfig, I suppose you might have a different experience at other chapters, but we generally meet once a month. Each meeting usually includes a lecture by an expert on some particular fruit or skill. Some of the past speakers that come to mind include Tom del Hotal (natural target pruning), Roger Meyer (jujubes), Kevin Hauser (apples in warm climates) and most recently, Dr. Gary Bender (retired San Diego Farm Advisor). I think Jon (host of this forum) spoke to the group at least once, but not since I have been there. We also have special events like scion exchanges, plant sales, grafting demonstrations, work parties at botanical gardens...

Why don't you check out the website for yourself: http://nc.crfgsandiego.org/ You can browse through the calendar to see what we have been doing.

One nice benefit of hanging around CRFG meetings is that the members largely suffer from propagation addiction. Last week, a girl showed up selling fig trees, grapes, lychee, papaya and apple trees. All were $5 for 1 gallon, $15 for 5 gallon. I've picked up a lot of trees from other members, raffles, guest speakers selling trees, etc.

Thanks, Paul!
I may try in the spring when will have more time. It also depends where our LA chapter meets.

California has all the fun

Paul,

LA has its website too: http://crfg-la.org
and they meet on the 4th Saturdays. I can see the same speakers as in San Diego.

Anybody from LA who is a member and can share the experience ?? 

I belong to the Redwood Empire Chapter, for Sonoma/Napa county area. I joined a year ago and though I haven't attended many meetings, I've been to some of their fundraising sales at local farmer's markets, and to 2 scion exchanges. Really great people, fruit growing junkies like us all. Our scion exchange in Santa Rosa was awesome last January. In fact, one of my first posts on this forum, was to offer CdD Noir cuttings that I got at the exchange (of course mine failed). I went end of day, and still got cuttings of CdD Noir, St. Jean, Lampeira Branca, and many more. Members contribute from their trees and cuttings from Prusch Park were offered as well. It is truly unbelievable to see the scions offered for free. I got many pear, apple, persimmon... well, you get the idea, to graft to my trees. A beautiful bi-monthly magazine comes with membership too, just got the latest today. Membership costs very little, and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone in CA. Harvey C will chime in I'm sure, he's a long standing member.

Yes, I'm a member of the "mother" organization as well as four chapters (Sacramento, Santa Clara Valley, Golden Gate, and Redwood Empire).  I'm sort of in the middle of all of them and have plenty of friends in each.  I have many friends in other chapters as well.  I joined about six years ago after thinking about it for a couple of years and wish I hadn't waited so long.

I failed to mention that it was Harvey who made me aware of CRFG, and encouraged me to join. Thank you, Harvey!

San Diego Chapter for abut 30 years

San Diego chapter for 5 years.  I have missed way too many meetings lately.  Great group of people.