Established in 1970, we are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and furthering the cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit in South Florida and throughout the world.

President’s Message March 1, 2021

March is our BIG Month for activities. On March 12-13 we have a booth Spring Fest 2021. The festival is

at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 345 South Military Trail, WPB.

If you would like to be a vendor at our Tree Sale on March 27 you need to register on our website as

soon as possible. Coordinating this event is a challenge for us this year. I will have the tags for your

plants at the Festival. Stop by and see me to pick them up.

Jane Lee is the Plant sale Coordinator and she could use assistance from everyone.

Dr Alan Chambers is the speaker for our next virtual meeting on March 12 at 7:30. The link to join the

meeting is on our website.

I am looking forward to seeing to all soon.

Roxanne Cumberland

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Upcoming Public Events

March Virtual Meeting

March 12, 7:30PM - 9:00PM

We are currently holding our monthly meeting as Virtual Meetings. It is our intent to reconnect with as many of you as earthly possible.

Speaker

Alan H. Chambers, PhD

Assistant Professor | Tropical Fruit Genetics and Breeding

Tropical Research and Education Center | Horticultural Sciences Dept | University of Florida

Growing vanilla in Florida: From native species to commercial opportunities

Dr. Alan H Chambers is a tropical fruits breeder creating new cultivars through traditional plant breeding and genomics-assisted plant breeding. The primary objective of his program is to increase grower profitability, consumer excitement for fresh produce, and deliver genetic solutions that protect the environment. Current focus species include vanilla, mango, papaya, banana, passionfruit, miracle fruit, and others.

Dr. Chambers has degrees from Brigham Young University (Genetics and Biotechnology, BS), Cornell University (Plant Pathology, MS), and the University of Florida (Horticultural Sciences, PhD). His PhD work focused on candidate gene discovery for superior strawberry flavor. He was recruited by PepsiCo Agro Discovery after the completion of his PhD in February 2014 to support raw material innovation research. In August 2016 he joined the faculty at the University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center to conduct tropical fruit genetics and breeding research in Homestead, Florida, USA.

For more information, please contact Roxanne Cumberland, RFC President - President@pbrarefruitcouncil.org or call (855) 732-7273.

We hope to see and connect with you soon, stay safe!

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Palm Beach Rare Fruit Council

FERTILIZER, GRAFTING SUPPLIES & COCONUT OPENERS

are available at our Monthly Meetings

Members in need of the Special Rare Fruit Council blend of

"Fruitilizer" may contact 1st VP Mark Porter.

Mark will bring a limited number of bags to our regular meeting

or you can arrange for pickup at his farm site in the Acreage.

For special pickup options please call Mark Porter at:

+1 (855) RFC-RARE / +1 (855) 732-7273 option 3

to be directly connected and/or to leave a message.

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Telephone - Leave message
(855) RFC-RARE / (855) 732-7273