Recent Posts

NAFEX Virtual 2024 Conference – Nov 7-9 via ZOOM

NAFEX Virtual 2024 Conference – Nov 7-9 via ZOOM

NAFEX is hosting three days of online sessions Nov. 7-9 via ZOOM. Session topics include: Outside the Cider Apple Box(David Carr of Raging Cider) No Land, No Problem. Growing with minimal space(Lee Reich) Old Southern Apples & New Opportunities(Jason Bowen, Horne Creek Farm and Josh 

Cider Social  –  Sunday, November 3, 2024

Cider Social – Sunday, November 3, 2024

Event Description: Do you have more apples than you know what to do with? Do some have blemishes or minor insect damage that would prevent you from eating them raw? Instead of tossing them into the compost heap bring then to the cider social and 

2024 Harvest Festival – October 19-20

2024 Harvest Festival – October 19-20

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 

MidFEx Pruning Workshop Cary IL – Sunday Sept 29

MidFEx Pruning Workshop Cary IL – Sunday Sept 29

NOTE: This event was rescheduled due to weather from 9/22. Event Description: Shelly Kibbler has invited MidFEx members to her place to help her prune some of her young fruit trees. Experienced members will be on hand to demonstrate pruning strategies and techniques, and provide 

Summer Picnic 2024 – July 14

Summer Picnic 2024 – July 14

Latest Details: The date is Sunday July 14, 2024. Setup is at 11am or earlier as needed and lunch starts at 12 noon. Check the Members Only page for event location. Event Description: The Summer Picnic is a time for MidFEx to get together for 

Orchard Walk and Seminar: Defending Your Orchard from Four-legged Pests – Sunday August 11

Orchard Walk and Seminar: Defending Your Orchard from Four-legged Pests – Sunday August 11

Event Description: Just because you plant a fruit tree doesn’t mean you get to eat the fruit whenyou have to contend with nature. Kevin learned the hard way that planning is alarge part of adequately defending your orchard from four-legged pests.What you plant, where, how 

Orchard Walk with Deb Graham – August 4th

Orchard Walk with Deb Graham – August 4th

Event Description: Orchard Garden Walk hosted by Deb Graham in Barrington. Please join us on this one-acre lake front garden orchard that includes a large koi pond, many ornamental and fruit trees planted in a guild style. Date: August 4th Time:  1:00 pm start. This 

Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Newsletter

Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Newsletter

Club member Bob Hillman sent us this important note on this University of Illinois Extension newsletter titled: Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News! Condition changes could be costly to your specialty crop business. The Illinois Fruit & Vegetable News gives practical production advice you can use today to 

2024 Kurle Memorial Lecture – Sunday February 4

2024 Kurle Memorial Lecture – Sunday February 4

Presented as a Zoom series. These Zoom sessions can be accessed through Zoom.us website or through the Zoom app. Use the meeting ID to join the meeting. Session #1. Deirdre Birmingham, The Cider Farm Deirdre Birmingham is an owner and orchard manager of The Cider 

Pruning Workshop – Sunday February 11th

Pruning Workshop – Sunday February 11th

The Super Bowl of Pruning! Fine Tune Pruning – Most trees will have some pruning already started, some not so much. Focus will be on what else needs to be done. Why they are pruned like they are and what was done wrong. You will