Marking three decades of promoting sustainable fruit production in the Aloha State, the 30th Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference is available free to the public in a new virtual format. Tune in at this website through October 1 to a host of pre-recorded presentations by industry experts, as well as research updates and island chapter reports. Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the conference is presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG).
Though it was originally slated to open in person later this month on Maui and continue with mini-conferences throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the conference adopted a virtual format due to COVID-19.
“While we will miss our conference networking, this format offers a convenient way to share a plethora of information for our members and the public,” shares Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers executive director Ken Love. “Online attendees have a couple weeks to digest everything and then join a Q&A via Zoom 9-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2.”
The 2020 conference features keynote presenter Gabriel Sachter-Smith with a discussion on “Global Banana Diversity.” Dr. Noa Kekuewa Lincoln delves into “Breadfruit in Hawaii-Past and Present,” while Love presents “New Fruit Cultivars, Varieties and Species for Hawaii.”
Other topics include rootstocks, Hawaiian cacao, HLB-tolerant citrus, insect management, post-harvest radiation, quarantine updates, Hawaii Master Food Preservers, picking mangoes, and propagation of dragon fruit and peppercorn.
“We are also sharing updates from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and state legislature relating to our tropical fruit industry,” adds Love.
The Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference is made possible with the support of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii County Department of Research and Development.
About Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers: Marking its 31st year, HTFG was incorporated in 1989 to promote tropical fruit grown in Hawaii. It is a statewide association of tropical fruit growers, packers, distributors and hobbyists dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion; www.HTFG.org.
Find more virtual learning opportunities on our Events Page.
