KAPA‘A — The 21st annual Hawai‘i International Tropical Fruit Conference kicks off Friday on the Big Island and continues with consecutive “After the Conference” gatherings on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Maui. The Kaua‘i installment is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 13,
KAPA‘A — The 21st annual Hawai‘i International Tropical Fruit Conference kicks off Friday on the Big Island and continues with consecutive “After the Conference” gatherings on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Maui.
The Kaua‘i installment is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 13, at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel, a news release states. The Big Island portion runs from Sept. 9 to Sept. 11.
The multi-island conference format debuted in an effort to better serve and engage the members of the statewide Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers, according to Ken Love, president. HTFG’s mailing list is 400 strong.
“We think it’s important to keep our members appraised of the latest research and market trends so we obtained funding to expand our reach,” Love said in the release. “It’s more pricey now to travel interisland and the mini-conferences also offered convenience.”
With the theme, “The Time for Quality and Profitability,” Shree Padre of India headlines the list of presenters.
The farmer/journalist is known for his passion for water conservation and rainwater harvesting. He is a specialist in value-added products, the release states.
Other presenters, who will meet with growers on all four islands, include fig expert Howard Garrison and pomegranate guru Jeff Moresfelder, both of the USDA in Davis, Calif.
To sign up for the Kaua‘i gathering, which is open to the public, call John Anderson, 808-635-2880, or Liz Ito, 808-651-3011.
Incorporated in 1989, HTFG is a statewide association of tropical fruit growers, packers, distributors and hobbyists dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion; http://www.hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org.
