MidFEx, short for Midwest Fruit Explorers, is a non-profit organization of amateur backyard fruit growing enthusiasts. Most of our members live in the counties surrounding Chicago.
Gene’s 40” apple tree (click to take a tour)
We are crazy about the best tasting, most flavorful fruits that grow well here. We are also interested in growing special, superior and unusual fruits regardless of their appearance or commercial appeal. This includes little known varieties of apples, peaches, pears, plums, grapes and nuts; and more unusual fruits such as the pawpaw, mulberry, persimmon, fig, juneberry, Asian pear, and hardy kiwi. Our members locate, graft, propagate, test, grow and swap these superior fruiting plants, and then get together and share their knowledge.
- 2013 Harvest Festival
Event Description: The Fall Harvest Festival at the Chicago Botanic Gardens is our largest public event, fund raiser, and membership drive all rolled into one. It’s a fun exciting experience and a great opportunity to socialize and network with MidFExers while learning the virtues of growing your own fruit. Members bring in fruit for display, and on Sunday starting at 2pm, people are invited to sample the display fruit. [Harvest Fest]
MidFEx will be selling wonderfully tasting less commonly known apples, fruit butters, books on fruit growing. We will also be making fresh pressed cider and answering any questions you have about growing fruit.
Show Date & Time: Saturday October 19, 2013 10am - 4:30pm
Show Date & Time: Sunday October 20, 2013 10am - 4:30pm
Event Details: This event is open to the public. - Apple Cider Social
Event Description: Cider pressing the old fashioned way with MidFEx’s own cider press.
Date: November 3, 2013
Time: 1pm
Location: See Grapevine or Members Only page
Directions: See Grapevine or Members Only page
Event Details: This is a member only event. See your Grapevine newsletter or the Members Only page for additional details.
- 2014 Business Meeting
Event Description: The annual business meeting will be held on Sunday January 26, 2014. It always begins with a pot luck meal that has always been fantastic. We then move into the business meeting where a new executive board is elected and other club business is discussed.
Date: Sunday January 26, 2014
Time: 1pm
Location: Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary
1111 E. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL
Map of Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg
Directions: If you are coming from the North, South or East, make your way to Woodfield mall near 53/290 and the I-90 tollway. Take the Higgins Rd exit and head west (towards the mall). Make a left turn on Meacham Rd heading south. The next light after you pass the strip mall with Dominick’s and Target on the right will be Schaumburg Rd. Make a right onto Schaumburg Rd heading west. The next light is National Parkway. Make your way to the left hand lane. The entrance to Spring Valley is less than 100 feet after National Parkway on the left. If you’re coming from the West you can make your way to Woodfield and follow the above directions, or get onto Schaumburg road any time before Plum Grove Rd heading east. The next light will be National Parkway, and Spring Valley will be on the right just before the light.
Event Details: This event is open to members and non-members. Non-members can not vote in the elections. [Membership Form]
- Grafting Workshop: Session #1
Event Description: MidFEx members only. Find out what grafting fruit tress is all about. Learn the the whys and hows with experienced grafters. We will also have an impressive amount of scion wood available for grafting. If you’d like more information about grafting see the Grafting Page.
Date: Sunday March 23, 2014
Setup Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon. For MidFEx members only to help setup, prepare rootstocks and to sort scion wood. No experience necessary to help out and much good fruit growing conversation to be had.
Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Due to space limitations this session is limited to members only and especially intended for less experienced MidFEx members and their guests. Please arrive on time. Lecture begins at 1:00 sharp. Workshop will last until about 4:00 pm.
Location: See Grapevine or Members Only page
Directions: See Grapevine or Members Only page
Event Details: This is a member only event. See your Grapevine newsletter or the Members Only page for additional details. - Grafting Workshop: Session #2
Event Description: Find out what grafting fruit tress is all about. Learn the the whys and hows with experienced grafters. We will also have an impressive amount of scion wood available for grafting. If you’d like more information about grafting see the Grafting Page.
Date: Sunday March 30, 2014
Setup Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon. For MidFEx members only to help setup or if you’ve had any problems with your past grafts or grafting techniques, then let us help. We will have some of our most skilled members on hand from 11:00-12:00 to answer questions and assist you.
Afternoon Session: THIS SESSION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and the less experienced or novice grafter. Please arrive on time. Lecture begins at 1:00 sharp. Workshop will last until about 4:00 pm.
Location: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois. Go to the Linnaeus Room in the Regenstein Center building.
Parking: Parking is free for Chicago Botanic Garden members and members of gardens with reciprocal privileges. If you are not a member of the Botanic Gardens you will have to pay the parking fee. Visit Chicago Botanic Garden’s web pages for details on parking and membership. Chicago Botanic Garden
Event Details: THE AFTERNOON EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, but only the individuals actually grafting fruit trees will be allowed in the grafting classroom. Friends, spouses, and children are welcome to explore the grounds during the sessions.
Costs: Our workshop and guidance are free. However you will need to buy rootstock if you want to take home a tree. We will have dwarfing apple, pear and plum rootstock available. Cost is $4 each with free scion wood for MidFEx members. Non-members pricing is $5 which includes two pieces of scion wood of their choice. Grafting requires a very sharp knife with a 2-3 inch blade. Bring your own medium-size pocket knife--we can sharpen it for you if needed, or purchase one at the workshop. Other supplies are available for purchase if you would like to continue honing your grafting skills after the workshop is over.
Maps and directions