​"The purposes of CRFG shall be to encourage and further public and scientific research, education and preservation of plants worldwide that have edible seeds, fruit, leaves, stems or roots." -- CRFG Mission Statement
Due to the pandemic, all in-person meetings have been suspended. We are holding meetings via Zoom. For more information about our next meeting, please see our "Calendar" page. We hope you are doing well and enjoying working in your home gardens!
Central Coast Chapter
ESTB
1968
California Rare Fruit Growers
What Is CRFG?
What We Do
California Rare Fruit Growers is the largest amateur fruit-growing organization in the world, with members in 48 states and US territories, and in 35 countries.
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Visit the State CRFG Website:
Central Coast Chapter
About Us
Learn how to join us!
Our chapter is one of 22 CRFG chapters. We enjoy touring local orchards, exchanging knowledge and plants, learning about grafting and growing, and interacting with the Agriculture Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. We meet in San Luis Obispo County monthly, usually on the second Saturday.Chapter Calendar
Meetings & Events
Our Chapter learns from a wide variety of speakers and programs. We visit members' homes, gardens, orchards, and commercial organizations. We meet on the 2nd Saturday of every month, except February when we meet on the 4th Saturday. Guests and visitors are welcome to meetings (unless otherwise specified).
Annual Scion Exchange
Learn To Graft!
February Mtg: 4th Saturday
Free to the public!
You'll find rows of tables laden with bags of scions from a wide variety of trees. Choose the scions you want to graft to your trees or rootstock. You'll even find experienced grafters here who will demonstrate multiple ways to graft.
Annual Pruning Workshop
Hands-on Pruning!
January Mtg: 2nd Saturday
Free to the public!
We have a different guest speaker each year to help improve our pruning skills. The speaker will explain all about pruning fruit trees. We then go to our Demonstration Orchard for hands-on pruning experience!Demonstration Orchard
Over 80 Fruit Trees
Our Demonstration Orchard is located on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Campus off of Highland Drive. From its conception in 1997, it now contains more than 80 trees, many of which are low-chill. The orchard provides an environment to teach pruning, grafting, fruit tasting, and fruit tree care.
Chapter Newsletters
The Leaflet
Read our monthly newsletter and find out where we've been, what we've been doing, and what we've learned at our monthly meetings, plus other information of interest!
School Grafting Program
Teaching Students How To Graft!
Each year our Chapter educates hundreds of students about the grafting process. We visit schools (primarily high schools) in several counties. We teach the students how to graft an apple scion to rootstock. This program's purpose is to stimulate the interest of young people in growing fruit trees.
Scholarships
Cal Poly Fruit Science Students
Chapter volunteers work with Dr. Lauren Garner, Fruit Science Professor at Cal Poly SLO. The committee reviews applications of qualified Fruit Science students and recommends awardees. Income from the sale of rootstock, pheromone loops, birdnet and various plant sales helps to fund the program.
FAQs
And Other Useful Information
Information about chill hours; identifying low chill fruit trees; chapter member notes on growing fruit trees on the Central Coast; CRFG videos, including those of our very own chapter member Joe Sabol; orchard ladder safety, and more.
Join Us On Facebook
Share Your Stories!
Find out what our members are sharing and share your own stories on the Central Coast CRFG Facebook page!