Thoughts on places near you to contact for possible tomato talks? - Page 2

HudsonValley · September 7, 2016

Here are my thoughts -- keep in mind that I'm in academia... My first thought was to ask whether you have you tried registering with a speakers' bureau. Colleges often use these bureaus to book guest speakers. Also within academia, perhaps food studies programs (e.g., NYU, New School, etc.) or the Culinary Institute of America would be interested? Lastly, it seems that many schools are cultivating an interest in sustainability (my campus has a whole sustainability committee; I know the chair and will ask if he's interested, although I don't know if there's any budget for events) as well as the study of foodways and food culture. The latter, I believe, are typically housed within Sociology departments -- not my field, alas. But I've actually been meaning to read a book written by a sociologist at U. Wisconsin-Madison -- Jennifer A. Jordan, Edible Memory: The Lure of Heirloom Tomatoes and Other Forgotten Foods (University of Chicago Press, 2015). Her contact info is listed publicly on the school's website... Academics are used to people asking them questions (and for help).

**nctomatoman** · September 7, 2016

Hey Hudson and thanks! That is a great idea, and I appreciate it. Re Jennifer Jordan - she and I are in contact on FB and Twitter (she's someone really nice who has become a friend since Epic came out).

At this point, I am going to wait a few weeks and see the results of the big net I just cast - responses are starting to come in, and there are a few nice possibilities emerging.

habitat_gardener · September 8, 2016

In the SF Bay Area, the biggest event is the SF Flower and Garden Show -- many speakers and workshops on every possible gardening topic for 5 days (in 2017, April 5-9, in San Mateo, about a half hour south of SF). Last year they started doing hands-on workshops, too. Great place to sell books.

Many nurseries in the area sponsor talks: Yamagami, Lyngso.
There are public gardens such as Gamble Garden in Palo Alto.

**nctomatoman** · September 8, 2016

Thanks for that - good leads for California...on to explore!

September 7, 2016	#17
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Hey Hudson and thanks! That is a great idea, and I appreciate it. Re Jennifer Jordan - she and I are in contact on FB and Twitter (she's someone really nice who has become a friend since Epic came out). At this point, I am going to wait a few weeks and see the results of the big net I just cast - responses are starting to come in, and there are a few nice possibilities emerging. __________________ Craig

September 8, 2016	#19
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Thanks for that - good leads for California...on to explore! __________________ Craig

September 7, 2016	#16
HudsonValley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hudson Valley, NY, Zone 6a Posts: 626	Here are my thoughts -- keep in mind that I'm in academia... My first thought was to ask whether you have you tried registering with a speakers' bureau. Colleges often use these bureaus to book guest speakers. Also within academia, perhaps food studies programs (e.g., NYU, New School, etc.) or the Culinary Institute of America would be interested? Lastly, it seems that many schools are cultivating an interest in sustainability (my campus has a whole sustainability committee; I know the chair and will ask if he's interested, although I don't know if there's any budget for events) as well as the study of foodways and food culture. The latter, I believe, are typically housed within Sociology departments -- not my field, alas. But I've actually been meaning to read a book written by a sociologist at U. Wisconsin-Madison -- Jennifer A. Jordan, Edible Memory: The Lure of Heirloom Tomatoes and Other Forgotten Foods (University of Chicago Press, 2015). Her contact info is listed publicly on the school's website... Academics are used to people asking them questions (and for help).

September 8, 2016	#18
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	In the SF Bay Area, the biggest event is the SF Flower and Garden Show -- many speakers and workshops on every possible gardening topic for 5 days (in 2017, April 5-9, in San Mateo, about a half hour south of SF). Last year they started doing hands-on workshops, too. Great place to sell books. Many nurseries in the area sponsor talks: Yamagami, Lyngso. There are public gardens such as Gamble Garden in Palo Alto.