National Heirloom Exposition

Fred Hempel · August 28, 2015

The National Heirloom Exposition is next week.

I will be speaking on Wednesday, and probably sampling some cherry tomatoes.

I assume that Brad Gates will have his epic tomato display, and that other Tomatovillians will be there.

Fred Hempel · August 28, 2015

I will be discussing my non-heirlooms, but will try to stay away from being too much of a heretic.

Last year I argued that the spread of tomato germplasm via online sharing (at places like Tomatoville) has de-centralized genetic resources, and that increased seed sharing, plus new start-up tomato seed businesses have most likely completely counteracted any supposed losses of genetic diversity from the conglomeration of commercial tomato seed companies.

Anyway, I know that is not necessarily a popular opinion, among many festival attendees, but it is my opinion, and they still invited me back.

**nctomatoman** · August 28, 2015

Enjoy. Storey wanted to send me out there, but it clashes with the festival at Monticello - maybe next year!

**carolyn137** · August 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

I will be discussing my non-heirlooms, but will try to stay away from being too much of a heretic.

Last year I argued that the spread of tomato germplasm via online sharing (at places like Tomatoville) has de-centralized genetic resources, and that increased seed sharing, plus new start-up tomato seed businesses have most likely completely counteracted any supposed losses of genetic diversity from the conglomeration of commercial tomato seed companies.

Anyway, I know that is not necessarily a popular opinion, among many festival attendees, but it is my opinion, and they still invited me back.

You a heretic? OK, from now on I'll just call you HH ( Heretic Hempel)

How many years ago was it that Jere Gettle started this for I can't remember and then put his PR people into high gear getting the word out.

There has been some feedback here and other places from some whohave attended and I guess i'd say that opinions are mixed, I can't remember the reasons why right now.

But I see more speakers this year than before and for most of them I don't have the faintest idea of who they are or what their backgrounds are.

Fred, the HH, you must get back to us after you give your talk and share with us what kinds of questions were asked, and more to the point, how you answered them.

Lastly, Martha is the lady who prepares most of my meals for me now that I can't, and she and a person who does grocery shopping for me and my substitute USPS person all got plants from seeds I had given to Rob, someone local, who now raises all my seedlings for me. He brought only one plant of Blush and since I'd grown it I let martha have that one. So when she came this AM she brought a ziplok full of blush and she told me they were outstanding, well I knew that already.

The folks I gave plants to were used to growing standard hybrids and didn't quite know what to do with Verde Claro, the multiflora ones, and on an on, and are they ever having fun and getting some great tasting tomatoes. My worry is that they'll be looking for a different set next year, so we'll just have to see how much time and energy Rob has since I give him lots of new varieties for himself each year.

Carolyn

Fred Hempel · August 28, 2015

I want to go to Monticello!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nctomatoman

Enjoy. Storey wanted to send me out there, but it clashes with the festival at Monticello - maybe next year!

Fred Hempel · August 28, 2015

I don't know that my talk will be that interesting this year. It will be a glorified show-and-tell/tomato tasting. But I am only sampling the cherries. Big ones are too unwieldy.

I'm hoping the questions will be more along the lines of "Where can I buy seeds?" and not "Where can I spit this out?"

**nctomatoman** · August 28, 2015

Fred, best thing to do is email Ira Wallace (Southern Exposure) about speaking at Monticello - she seems to make most of the big festivals - I suspect she may be at the expo there. It's always good to get new blood at the various festivals - one thing I've noticed already with regard to the mother earth news fairs is oft-repeating speakers (and even topics).

I have this thing about giving the same talk twice - so I have as many power point slide packs as I do speaking engagements!

habitat_gardener · August 28, 2015

This is the 4th annual, and this year it looks like I'm finally going to have a chance to go!

**carolyn137** · August 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

I want to go to Monticello!

And why not Fred since it's only for one day.

http://heritageharvestfestival.com/

Lordy, they've got the Beekman boys there and we know the Beekman Boys up here since their place is out in W NYS near Sharon Springs I think and they are everywhere giving talks, entertaining, etc. So when do they get time to write the books, tend the crops, etc.

Fred, here's the way I see it.

Tomorrow is the Travers horse race at Saratoga and it's always a big thing, but Pharoah the recent triple crown winner is in that race.

He flew from CALIFORNIA in a special plane that transports ONLY horses, we saw pictures showing him arriving at Albany Airport, getting into a horse van and had a police escort up to Saratoga And it was less than one day from CA to Saratoga.

Now that's horse time, and you being a human would have it much easier. Fly to Chicago, make connections for a plane going to Raleigh, Craig will meet you at the airport and eventually drive you up to Monticello in VA.

How does that sound to you?

Carolyn, always trying to be helpful unless your talk and Craigs are on the same exact day.

Fred Hempel · August 28, 2015

That sounds good in theory. But in practice, even running up to Santa Rosa for a day equates to gross negligence for me as a farmer during September.

August 28, 2015	#1
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	National Heirloom Exposition The National Heirloom Exposition is next week. I will be speaking on Wednesday, and probably sampling some cherry tomatoes. I assume that Brad Gates will have his epic tomato display, and that other Tomatovillians will be there.

August 28, 2015	#2
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	I will be discussing my non-heirlooms, but will try to stay away from being too much of a heretic. Last year I argued that the spread of tomato germplasm via online sharing (at places like Tomatoville) has de-centralized genetic resources, and that increased seed sharing, plus new start-up tomato seed businesses have most likely completely counteracted any supposed losses of genetic diversity from the conglomeration of commercial tomato seed companies. Anyway, I know that is not necessarily a popular opinion, among many festival attendees, but it is my opinion, and they still invited me back. Last edited by Fred Hempel; August 28, 2015 at 02:04 PM.

August 28, 2015	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Enjoy. Storey wanted to send me out there, but it clashes with the festival at Monticello - maybe next year! __________________ Craig

August 28, 2015	#7
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Fred, best thing to do is email Ira Wallace (Southern Exposure) about speaking at Monticello - she seems to make most of the big festivals - I suspect she may be at the expo there. It's always good to get new blood at the various festivals - one thing I've noticed already with regard to the mother earth news fairs is oft-repeating speakers (and even topics). I have this thing about giving the same talk twice - so I have as many power point slide packs as I do speaking engagements! __________________ Craig

August 28, 2015	#8
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	This is the 4th annual, and this year it looks like I'm finally going to have a chance to go!