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.

  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.

 Grafting is a surefire method of producing a tree whose fruit will be identical to its parents.  Join us at our grafting workshop and create your own apple, pear or plum tree. This is definitely a hands-on workshop.  You can buy rootstock at our workshop, follow along with the demonstration, and leave with one or more fruit trees ready to plant in the ground.
 Our afternoon sessions include a lecture-demonstration, followed by a practice session and individual help with grafting.  We will provide scion wood from at least 40 different varieties of apples, 20 varieties of pears, and 10 varieties of plums.

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. Grafting knives will be available for $18 for those that don't bring a knife or who find that their knife isn't up to the task.

Important:  Regretfully space is limited. 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.

March 14, 2010 at the Cantigny Greenhouse, at the Cantigny Park and Museum, Wheaton, Illinois.  Enter at the Shaffner gate. Go to the Greenhouse!

• Morning Session  9:00 am to 12 noon- for MidFEx members with grafting experience or can help out preparing rootstocks and sorting scion wood. No experience necessary to help out and much good fruit growing conversation to be had.
• Afternoon Session  for the 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.
• Parking-  Enter at the Shaffner gate on the west side of Shaffner Road about 300 yards south of Roosevelt Road (Illinois 38).  If you use any other entrance you'll have to pay a parking fee and have a long walk.
• Maps and directions

March 21 , 2010 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois.  Go to the Linnaeus Room in the Regenstein Center building.

• Morning Session  9:00 am to 12 noon- for MidFEx members only.
  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 (for MidFEx members only).
• Afternoon Session  for 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.
• Parking- Parking is free for Chicago Botanic Garden members and members of gardens with reciprocal privileges. Visit Chicago Botanic Garden's web pages for details.
• Maps and directions

  Take a virtual tour of Gene Yale's Backyard Orchard.  You'll be amazed!  There were 97 dwarf apple trees (93 different varieties) and 6 blueberry bushes in 2500 square feet in his backyard when these web pages were created.   His backyard was featured in the June 15, 1997 Chicago Sun-Times and in the October 12, 1997 Chicago Tribune newspapers.
  Gene is one of MidFEx's more talented members and is pleased to share his knowledge.  On this tour you'll see his backyard and learn the secrets to its success.  Learn how to grow a 3 foot mini-dwarf apple tree, read about Gene's favorite apple varieties and more.

  Note: On September 17, 2007 WLS Channel 7 news had a feature segment about Gene's backyard orchard!