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

Good Day Everyone,

It is our hope this message will find you and your household in good spirits, healthy and safe during this time of uncertainty. As you all may know, Mounts Botanical Gardens - our designated meeting place has been closed, out of an abundance of caution for months. Therefore, until we get the green light to return, virtual is the Way to Go. 

Perhaps you were able to participate with our integral Virtual Meeting last month. If not, you can prepare yourself for the upcoming Friday, June 12th session. At the end of this meeting, each of you will have a couple of minutes to share your thoughts. Even if we are not able to see you, we would love to hear you! In the next few days you will receive a request to confirm your email and cell phone number. This will ensure you receive the conference call and/or video link to experience, "Pest Management in the Home Garden & Small Farm" by Dr. Chris Miller, Senior Palm County Cooperative Extension Specialist.

It is a must see or hear presentation for the official rainy and alternative summer season. A natural combination for mold and fungus, especially prevalent in the shaded overgrown areas of your home gardens or small farms. Chris will certainly be able to answer any questions you may have and offer practical solutions and useful alternatives as needed.

Those of us still employed and working from home are truly grateful to have opportunities to get outside and engage with Mother Nature! I am amazed at the number of Garden or Micro-Farm milestones I missed while working at the office. Now, I can take the time go outside and feel sun rays refresh me. It is exciting to see the incremental progress, being at home. Now is a great time to consider planting vegetables such as sweet &/or hot peppers, beans, various squashes from seedlings or seeds, lettuces and spinach, nasturtiums, hollyhock, zinnias or any of the other edible flowers around the trunk of he fruit trees, on trellises or anywhere summer can make a splash! 

I have decided canning and/or pickling harvested fruit and veggies could be a fun project. Please let us know if you have anything you can share on reasonable, realistic and useful Garden Tips. We have a Members Corner for recipes, health alerts, short articles and snapshots what is working well in your area. Please contact Herman our webmaster or send an email to President@pbrarefruitcouncil.org 

We appreciate this prilvege to stay connected with each of you! Come on let's make it happen.

Check out the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Website:

"This is an excellent time to plant fruit trees.  A wide variety of tropical fruit is grown in Palm Beach County with different types maturing and ready to harvest throughout the year. Review this fact sheet for tropical fruit crops to consider in your yard:

http://discover.pbcgov.org/coextension/agriculture/PublishingImages/Pages/Vegetables/Tropical Fruit Chart.pdf

Always Be Safe & Enjoy Everyday Life,

Debra

Debra Marcelle-Coney, Ph.D.

RFC President 

**********************************************************************************************************************************

July Speaker 

Mr. Keith Alexander, RES, CFE Manager 

PBC Property Appraiser Office

Agricultural Services 

myfarm@pbcgov.org

What does agricultural purposes or agricultural use of my property means? How can I get it?