The Spring meeting of the Kentucky Nut Growers Association(KNGA) will be held Saturday, April 22, 2006, at the Hardin Co. Agricultural Extension office in Elizabethtown, KY, beginning at 9:30 EDT. The Extension Office is located just off U.S. 62, about two miles west from downtown Elizabethtown - directly behind the Cecelia Auto Sales lot on Peterson Dr. KNGA signs will be posted.

Luncheon is potluck - if you bring something that needs to be heated/warmed, there is a well-equipped kitchen available

I've not received the official agenda yet, but suspect it will be similar to in years past:

Program
I. Board of Directors Meeting
II. General meeting & report on the association
III. Nut display - one of the main attractions, an exhibit of the various nut species and specimens of many of the named varieties. As available, members usually bring in bags/baskets of nuts for the attendees to crack and compare. A wide variety of nutcrackers are usually available for use/trial/comparison.
IV. Scionwood swap - members & attendees bring in dormant-collected scionwood from their favorite nut, pawpaw, persimmon, and fruit trees to trade with other enthusiasts. Also frequently available are pawpaw & persimmon seeds and other plant materials. Be sure to bring plastic bags, moisture-proof wrappings, rubber bands, tape, permanent markers, etc. to ensure proper identification of scionwood varieties and to preserve viability of plant materials you'd like to share or take home.
V. Door Prizes/Auction - members and nurserymen donate plant materials, nuts, and other items for door prizes, or to go into the plant auction held annually to help raise operating funds for KNGA. Grafted and seedling fruit & nut trees, berry plants, flowers, and ornamental plants are commonly available for purchase during the auction. 50-100 northern pecan seedlings are anticipated to be available as door prizes.
VI. Grafting demonstration - members who are accomplished grafters usually conduct demonstrations on proper technique for grafting nut trees.

The Spring KNGA meeting is the social event of the year for me - a chance to meet up with old friends - and make new ones, discuss the previous year's production, procure new fruit/nut varieties, and I always learn something.
If you have any interest in learning about the various nuts and minor fruit trees that can be grown in KY and adjoining states, the KNGA meetings are a great place to start.

Hope to see you there.

Lucky