CALIFORNIA RARE FRUIT GROWERS - Santa Barbara/Ventura chapter presents...

"NEW MANGO CULTIVARS FOR THE CENTRAL COAST!”

Tim Thompson's exciting breakthrough brings non-tropical mango trees to local gardens

 

WHEN: Saturday, November 16, 10:30am – 12:30pm

 

WHAT: Tim Thompson is the creator of a whole new race of non-tropical mango trees designed for California climates. Most mangos now available are tropical and don’t survive some of our winter weather – so in the past they haven’t been grown much in our state as a commercial crop or by homeowners.  Tim lives in Camarillo and grew up on a ranch between Ventura and Santa Paula so he has deep local roots. The exciting news is that Tim is signing significant deals with big ag companies to grow these “California” mangos in various places, adding a new crop to our state’s food economy.

 

WHERE: Mesa Harmony Garden, 1740 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. This 2/3 acre food forest/orchard grows food for the Food Bank and is on the property of Holy Cross Church, but it’s easiest to find using the following directions as the garden is on the corner of Meigs Road and Dolores Drive at the back of the property. From the 101 Freeway: Take the Carrillo St exit and head toward the ocean. Carrillo turns into Meigs Road. Head up and over the hill and turn left on Dolores Drive. Park along the street. The garden is on the corner.

 

FEE: Members free, $3 - $5 donation suggested for non-members.

 

PLEASE BRING: Folding garden chair or stool so we can sit in a circle. Fruit, plants and baked goodies to share are also welcome! And of course sunhat, water, sunscreen, umbrella or whatever you need to be comfortable.

 

CONTACT: For more information contact our CRFG chapter media liaison Lauren Hanson at lhanson@valleycrest.com or (818) 737-2607 or cell (562) 243-9061; or chapter president Larry Saltzman at saltzmanforest@gmail.com or (805) 451-4168

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

A story was done on Tim Thompson’s exciting work with mangos for the Ventura County Star but no story has been done so far about what this new mango crop will mean for Santa Barbara County. Thompson is willing to be interviewed and will give reporters a tour if they're interested. He can be reached at (805) 444-6586. His email is mangoprofessor@gmail.com and his website is www.SoCalplantbreedrs.com where there is a lot more info.

 

Here are some links to the Ventura County Star article: http://www.meetthe112th.com/latest-news/camarillo-mango-expert-plans-to-patent-10-varieties-designed-to-thrive-in-ventura-county

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/aug/03/camarillo-mango-expert-plans-to-patent-10-to-in/

 

And an article done for the California Rare Fruit Growers magazine (ignore 1st page, a placeholder): http://media.wix.com/ugd/11d908_401ce268c4099d8462ffa2afd8c31309.pdf