Slide Show of the NASGA Mexico Tour

January 11-21, about 40 of our members enjoy a fascinating tour of the berry fields in Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico. There are over 5,000 acres of strawberries in the Zamora region. Discoll's growers have about 2,000 acres, with the balance in public varieties.

In nearby Los Reyes, just 45 minutes from our hotel, is the Blackberry Capital of the world.

Member Steve Polter, as usual, took along his trusty camera, and provides us with the slide show of the Mexico trip (click the line to view).

Summer Tour 2010 in Montreal

The summer tour will be August 17-19...actually, two of those days, but we are still finalizing the details.

Tour highlights will include a visit to Fraisebec, the largest strawberry grower in Canada; tour of the Montreal Produce Market; visits to nurseries and plug producers; and visits to some excellent farm markets.

Montreal is a vibrant city with lots of history, fabulous architecture and a great nightlife.

President's Report

I have the pleasure of reporting that our December Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids was a great success. We gained over 50 new members, which I’d like to personally welcome and thank them for joining. The sessions for Plasticulture and Matted Row growers were very well done and generated lots of discussion. The rest of the sessions were also very informative and diverse.

The grand finale was Tom Sjulin’s presentation of world production, the most complete insight of how berries are produced and sold throughout the entire year! The social hour that followed generated discussions and networking opportunities, going well into early morning hours. Some highly classified discussion developed a pact between growers, “what happens in Grand Rapids, stays in Grand Rapids”.

The Mexico Tour will offer that group a look into the future of off-season production. I am jealous of everyone who is going. The summer tour in the Montreal area of Quebec will also be diverse and informative. The mid August dates are one of the best times to visit the great white North.

The North American Strawberry Symposium will be in conjunction with NASGA’s next Annual Meeting, it should be one of its best attended ever. The venue will offer over 400 attendees an opportunity to learn what growers and researchers are doing with sustainable practices. The theme will be “Sustaining Strawberry Production through Science”. Please mark the dates February 8-11, 2011 in Tampa, Florida.

As I wrap up my term as President next month, I want to thank everyone for their support. Ever since NASGA’s turn-around in 2007, the North American Strawberry Growers Association camaraderie and commitment by all members to having a stronger organization has made my tenure more than a pleasure. The energy brought by Simon Parent and the Directors will only continue to provide the “wow factor” to all NASGA events and services. Members should consider joining this winning team as membership and research committee members.

The berry best and continued success for 2010!

Nate Nourse

North American Strawberry Growers Association Annual Conference
Conference in Grand Rapids Well Received

Our appreciation to everyone who attend, and particularly to our presenters, at this year's annual North American Strawberry Growers Association Conference in Grand Rapids. It was a great conference. Members-this year's powerpoint presentations are online now for your review. You will need your member password.)

Please thank our platinum sponsors, shown below, for their support of this year's annual conference:

Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor