GA-TACF’s Annual Meeting April 12 2025

The American Chestnut Foundation Georgia Chapter (GA-TACF) Notice of Annual Meeting

GA-TACF will hold its annual meeting on April 12, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM at Kennesaw State University (see directions below). Chapter members are invited and encouraged to attend, and the public is also invited. In accordance with chapter bylaws, we will conduct several business items that require approval or other input from the general membership. Among those items, the membership will be called on to elect directors for the board. The board hereby invites nominations for director positions which should include the candidate’s contact information, a brief biographical sketch, and a summary of why the candidate appears well-suited for board service.

Although we will briefly address these and other business matters, most of the meeting will be devoted to presentations related to our work helping to restore American chestnuts in GA. The meeting is free of charge and open to the public.

Please register your attendance by reserving admission tickets (free) via the Eventbrite site below. Pre-registration via the Eventbrite site is encouraged and free; however, lunch orders must be made using the Eventbrite site (no later than April 5). Please state your box lunch choice upon checkout. Choices are Ham, Turkey, or Roast Beef Sandwich (all on wheat bread) or Caesar Salad or Garden Salad.

Register and pre-purchase box lunces vai this Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/georgia-chapter-of-the-american-chestnut-foundation-annual-meeting-tickets-1256043723589?aff=oddtdtcreator

Agenda:

Morning session, 10:00 AM – NOON (tiered classroom on the first floor in the Prillaman Health Sciences Building – HS1105), Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, 520 Parliament Garden Way NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144

1) Welcome and Introduction (Dr. Martin Cipollini + KSU Faculty or Staff welcoming us to KSU)

2) Chapter business meeting:

1. Election of chapter directors, Scott Laseter (Governance Committee chair)
2. Budget report, Vince Payne (Treasurer)
3. Science update, Dr. Martin Cipollini (President and Science Coordinator)

4) An update from TACF, Jamie van Clief (Southern Regional Science Coordinator)

5) Comparing Leaf Microbiomes and Traits of American, Chinese, and Hybrid Chestnuts, Katherine Dobson and Dr. Mario Bretfeld, KSU.

6) Brainstorming session focused on ways to facilitate cooperative research between KSU and GA-TACF, and its partners.

Lunch break and Afternoon Session, 12:30 – ? (Kennesaw State University Field Station – Farm, 1875 Hickory Grove Rd NW, Acworth, GA 30102)

• Pre-ordered box lunches will be delivered to the event, catered by Jason’s Deli. Tickets for box lunches must be purchased via the Eventbrite site by April 5. Again, lunch choices are Ham, Turkey, or Roast Beef Sandwich (all on wheat bread) or Caesar Salad or Garden Salad.
• Tour of the facilities at the KSU Research Station and its chestnut orchard.
• GA-TACF board members will meet at the end of the day to hold a brief in-person meeting.

We hope to see you there! Please help spread the word.

Dr. Martin Cipollini

GA-TACF President

P.S. This event is co-sponsored by KSU’s Office of Research.

Directions to meeting sites:

To travel from I-75S to Kennesaw State University’s Central Parking Deck, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 271 for Chastain Road.
2. Turn left onto Chastain Road NW (if coming from I-75 South).
3. Turn right onto Frey Road.
4. Turn left onto Parliament Garden Way and proceed straight to enter the parking deck, free of charge.

To make your way to the meeting, you’ll keep to the right when walking out of the parking deck. You’ll enter the Prillaman Health Sciences Building, the first building to your right, through the glass doors. Proceed down the hallway until you see the registration table. The event will be held in room HS1105.

To travel from Kennesaw State University’s Central Parking Deck to the KSU Field Station, at 1875 Hickory Grove Rd NW, Acworth, GA 30102, follow these directions:

1. After exiting the parking deck, start by turning left onto Frey Road.
2. Turn left to onto George Busbee Pkwy NW.
3. Continue for approximately 1.5 miles before turning right onto Wade Green Road NW.
4. Turn left onto Hickory Grove Road NW.
5. Continue for about 0.5 miles to 1875 Hickory Grove Rd NW, which will be on your left.