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

Hope Everyone had a Wonderful Independence Day!

As I pondered what to share with you this month, it became clear since we are having Virtual Club Meetings. Why not get serious about local Virtual Garden Tours. There has been some discussion amongst the RFC Board about putting a program together with local vendor nurseries, small farms and backyard gardeners who are interested in showing us "what you got going on these days!"

After checking out a few sites online of virtual garden tours around the world, such as gardensillustrustrated.com; parade.com however there are a few edible garden tour on youtube entitled June 2016 Garden Tour with Tropical Fruit Trees (Louisiana Tropical Garden & Travel). Tropical Fruit Orchard Tour South Florida Fall 2018; Florida Food Forest in Fort Lauderdale with Dave the Good (Tour 2017) and Rare Tropical Fruit Collector - Food Forest (April 2018) who gave a shout out to Gary Zill!.

I think we have the wherewithal to do it right here in Palm Beach County and feature it on youtube! What do you think? Well we will have to work out the logistics to capture your luscious fruits and veggies while maintaining our social distances. Perhaps, we can start with a volunteer to see how this may work for us. Many of you have a myriad of value added productions going on at your properties such as bees for honey, chickens for eggs, goats for milk, fish stocked ponds, herbs for medicinal purposes in addition to your mature fruit bearing trees.

Certainly, this can be the first step in re-branding the Rare Fruit Council during this challenging time to continue the pursuit of our mission. . ."promoting and furthering the cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit in South Florida and throughout the world." People are not able to come to the meetings or shop at our plant sales due to the global pandemic. However we can consider a pilot virtual tour and mini garden sale to cultivate a plant or two you believe would be perfect in your own home garden! 

What an awesome opportunity to become more innovative, stay safe and enjoy life simultaneously. Let's put our thoughts together to make this happen in the next 30-days. This is a SMART Goal. . .it is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely and within our power to achieve. If you are on onboard with this idea. Let us know your thoughts by sending an e-mail to Board@pbrarefruitcouncil.org. 

Have you thought about selling your produce or other commodities from home? Wondered if your property is eligible for an agricultural exemption or what is required? This month's speaker is Mr. Keith Alexander, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Agricultural Services Director. He will present the agricultural purposes, uses and be available to answer your questions. This Friday, July 10, 2020 on our upcoming Virtual Club Meeting. A google invite email has already gone out to the club. If you have not received it, please contact Dennis@pbrarefruitcouncil.org.  We are looking forward to seeing or hearing from you soon!   Debra Marcelle-Coney, Ph.D. RFC President

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URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Jul 27, 2020

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds [nytimes.com] received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly [insider.com] in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and maybe labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah, and others.

As of July 27, FDACS has received at least 160 reports from Florida residents reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.

The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases may pose a risk of foodborne illness and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”

What To Do: Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:

• Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if possible
• Do not plant the seeds or discard them in the trash that will be landfilled
• Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or collection is available from the USDA
• Report the seed package to the FDACS Division of Plant Industry 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov
• Report the seed package to the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline [aphis.usda.gov]at 1-800-877-3835 or Mail@aphis.usda.gov

When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.