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Informational Links
| Fruit & Nut Tree Growing Interest
Groups: NAFEX is a network of individuals throughout the United States and Canada devoted to the discovery, cultivation and appreciation of superior varieties of fruits and nuts. Although the ranks of membership include professional pomologists, nurserymen, and commercial orchardists, NAFEX members are all AMATEURS in the truest sense of the word; they are motivated by their LOVE of fine fruit. California Rare Fruit Growers - Founded in 1968, California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) is the largest amateur fruit-growing organization in the world, with members in 48 states and U.S. territories, and 30 countries. The worldwide membership of CRFG includes many nationally recognized botanical gardens, rare fruit enthusiasts, commercial fruit growers, and internationally recognized horticultural researchers. The organization has a general interest in all aspects of fruit growing with a primary focus on semitropical fruits and uncommon fruits and vegetables. The Northern Nut Growers Association, Inc. (NNGA) brings together people interested in growing nut trees. Our members include experts in nut tree cultivation, farmers, amateur and commercial nut growers, experiment station workers, horticultural teachers and scientists, nut tree breeders, nurserypeople, foresters, and beginning nut culturists. |
| Resources on the Cultivation of Fruit
& Nut Trees: The Nebraska Cooperative Extension has an excellent online manual: Pruning Fruit Trees The Virtual Orchard is a dedicated World Wide Web site for sustainable apple production. It provides a forum for research and extension projects dealing with commercial apple production and marketing issues. Their goal is to serve as a clearinghouse for apple information for commercial fruit growers. University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) SAREP provides leadership and support for scientific research and education to encourage farmers, farm workers, and consumers in California to produce, distribute, process and consume food and fiber in a manner that is economically viable, sustains natural resources and biodiversity and enhances the quality of life in the state's diverse communities for present and future generations. They have a wonderful and complete cover crop database. California Alliance of Family Farmers (CAFF) a non-profit membership organization serving family farmers and the sustainable agriculture movement. Since 1978, CAFF's mission has been to build a movement of rural and urban people who foster family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains local economies, and promotes social justice. The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) provides technical assistance to farmers, extension agents, market gardeners, agricultural researchers and other ag professionals in all 50 states. Topics addressed by ATTRA are sustainable farming production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises and innovative marketing. Technical assistance, publications, and resources are provided free of charge to appropriate users. The Small Farm Center is a part of the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. They serve as a clearinghouse for questions from farmers, marketers, farm advisors, trade associations, government officials and agencies and the academic community. They publish a quarterly newsletter called Small Farm News. San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners Founded in 1983, the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners is a grassroots organization that empowers communities and individuals with education and employment. SLUG works throughout San Francisco with schools, community centers, public housing developments and individuals. Bio-Integral Resource Center BIRC is a non profit organization founded in 1978 to offer technical advice and assistance and publish information on all aspects of environmentally sound pest management. Their publications are written for the general public and for professionals with responsibilities in or related to pest and resource management. UC IPM Project The UC Pest Management guidelines database supplies the University of California's official guidelines for pest monitoring techniques, pesticides and non pesticide alternative for managing insect, mite, nematode, weed and disease pests in agricultural crops, commercial turf and in homes and landscapes. The guidelines are written by researchers, specialists and farm advisors and are updated regularly as pesticide registrations change and new methods become available. The USDA maintains a huge National Plant Database University of California Fruit & Nut Research Information Center The National Agricultural Library (NAL), part of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is one of four National Libraries in the United States. NAL is a major international source for agriculture and related information. This Web site provides access to NAL's many resources and a gateway to its associated institutions. |
| Permaculture: Permaculture ("Permanent Agriculture" or "Permanent Culture") is a whole systems design philosophy and approach rooted in the ethics of caring for the Earth and all its inhabitants. Permaculture is a linking discipline, a way of understanding, that guides choices and decisions in an appropriate manner according to each unique situation. Permaculture designs are a synthesis of ancient traditions, appropriate technologies, and an enlivened connection with nature. The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) is a non-profit educational center and biodiversity focused farm founded in 1994 by a group of biologists, artists, activists, educators, and horticulturists. OAEC's programs offer innovative and practical solutions to the pressing environmental, economic and social challenges of our day. Now entering our seventh year of programs, OAEC is recognized as a leader in research, demonstration and popular education around sustainable living practices, and in developing grassroots activist strategies and campaigns for positive social change. Permaculture Institute - The Permaculture Institute of Northern California (PINC)is an educational organization providing courses and workshops that enable people to develop the skills necessary to live a more sustainable life on the planet. PINC is located in a developing permaculture garden in the Tomales Bay watershed, on the Point Reyes Seashore, in Northern California. The garden includes examples of straw bale and cob construction, a gray water system, chicken tractors, ducks, rainwater catchments systems, solar dryer, herb spiral, earthen wood-fired oven, food forest, ponds and waterfalls. Sentient Landscape Company is a small permaculture based company dedicated to ecologically functioning landscapes for both residential and commercial landowners. Extensive list of worldwide Permaculture Links |