Georgia News

Annual Member Meeting Saturday, April 13, 10am to noon, at The Atlanta History Center

Final announcement: Members and non-members are welcome!!

Please register for GA-TACF’s Annual Meeting

Atlanta History Center Saturday April 13, 10 am – 12 noon.

Register Here!

Please join us at the Atlanta History Center on Saturday April 13 (10 am – 12 noon) to learn about The American Chestnut Foundation’s efforts to restore the American chestnut tree — once the mighty giants of the Eastern US forests, over 4 billion trees were lost to blight and root rot disease in the mid 20th century. Members and non-members are equally welcome!

TACF has been working over 35 years to restore this important part of our forest lands via backcross breeding and transgenic research. Please join us for this informative meeting where you can learn of our progress, how you can help with the progress, and meet others interested in our mission.

Our featured speaker will be Trent Deason (UTC) who is working on a program to conserve American chestnuts via grafting methods. Following his presentation, Trent will give a short demo of the techniques he is using.

Our complete agenda is copied below.

Following lunch at nearby restaurants, tours of the beautiful Goizueta Gardens (free) and the newly relocated and refurbished Cyclorama (with entrance fee) are optional activities at the Atlanta History Center.

Please click on the link below to register (free!).

Agenda

1. Opening Remarks
Kathy Patrick, Chapter President

2. Introductions – meet the chapter officers and board members
Mark Stoakes, Chapter Vice President

3. Review and acceptance of 2018 member meeting minutes
Jack Rogers, Chapter Secretary

4. Overview from The American Chestnut Foundation
Lisa Thompson, CEO, TACF

5. Georgia’s Disease Resistance Breeding Program update
Dr. Martin Cipollini, Professor, Berry College

6. Treasurer’s Report and Review of Budget
Dr. Martin Cipollini, Chapter Treasurer

7. Replacement of outgoing board members, nominations and voting
Kathy Patrick, Chapter President

8. Conservation of American chestnut via grafting (presentation and demonstration)
Trent Deason, University of Tennessee – Chattanooga

9. Audience questions and comments

10. Closing remarks and adjournment
Kathy Patrick, Chapter President

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Hot but productive time with last weekend's deer fence installation at UNG's Hurricane Creek chestnut orchard. Many thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Jack Rogers and Karrie Ann Fadroski for organizing and working all three mornings! The American Chestnut Foundation UNG - University of North Georgia ... See MoreSee Less

Hot but productive time with last weekends deer fence installation at UNGs Hurricane Creek chestnut orchard. Many thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Jack Rogers and Karrie Ann Fadroski for organizing and working all three mornings! The American Chestnut Foundation UNG - University of North GeorgiaImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

Hello Georgia Chestnut Enthusiasts! Another volunteer opportunity... this one is pretty urgent.

We need your help with an upgrade to our chestnut orchard in Dahlonega. Hurricane Creek is a collaborative project with the University of North Georgia Biology Department and is being used to test for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi (black root rot disease). The orchard is progressing well, with over 100 trees in place, but we have been unsuccessful keeping the deer at bay with our electric fence. We have decided it's time to install a deer exclusion fence, similar that used at our Flint and Richards orchards. Please let us know if you can join us on for a morning shift or two to help install the fence - see dates and times. The fence goes up pretty easily and no special skills are needed. We'll provide all materials and tools, along with water and snacks.

If you can help out, please bring the following:

Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Work gloves.
Water, sack lunch if desired.

Because of the heat, we'll get started each day at 8AM, and work until the heat runs us off.

Hurricane Creek is located on GA Highway 9, between Dawsonville and Dahlonega. The address is 3990 Dawsonville Hwy, Dahlonega GA, 30597. On Google Maps, maps.app.goo.gl/eTMeKLwPBEtqi2y76.

Below are the shifts for volunteers for the fence installation. Please use this link to sign up (orchard maintenance tab): theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90470

Friday, 7/25/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), site prep work, install corner posts, layout posts, clear brush in a few areas, relocate some of the existing electric fence.

Saturday, 7/26/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install posts, layout tarp between posts, install top polyline, install fence fabric, install bottom fabric anchors, install door.

Sunday, 7/27/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install bottom 2' mesh, finish up.

The American Chestnut Foundation
UNG - University of North Georgia
... See MoreSee Less

Hello Georgia Chestnut Enthusiasts!  Another volunteer opportunity... this one is pretty urgent.We need your help with an upgrade to our chestnut orchard in Dahlonega. Hurricane Creek is a collaborative project with the University of North Georgia Biology Department and is being used to test for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi (black root rot disease). The orchard is progressing well, with over 100 trees in place, but we have been unsuccessful keeping the deer at bay with our electric fence. We have decided its time to install a deer exclusion fence, similar that used at our Flint and Richards orchards. Please let us know if you can join us on for a morning shift or two to help install the fence - see dates and times. The fence goes up pretty easily and no special skills are needed. Well provide all materials and tools, along with water and snacks. If you can help out, please bring the following:Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.Work gloves.Water, sack lunch if desired.Because of the heat, well get started each day at 8AM, and work until the heat runs us off.Hurricane Creek is located on GA Highway 9, between Dawsonville and Dahlonega. The address is 3990 Dawsonville Hwy, Dahlonega GA, 30597. On Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTMeKLwPBEtqi2y76.Below are the shifts for volunteers for the fence installation.  Please use this link to sign up (orchard maintenance tab): https://theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90470Friday, 7/25/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), site prep work, install corner posts, layout posts, clear brush in a few areas, relocate some of the existing electric fence.Saturday, 7/26/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install posts, layout tarp between posts, install top polyline, install fence fabric, install bottom fabric anchors, install door.Sunday, 7/27/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install bottom 2 mesh, finish up.The American Chestnut FoundationUNG - University of North Georgia

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Work started today! Still a chance to volunteer for tomorrow or Sunday. Thanks!

We could really use some help with this folks! Please consider signing up for a shift. The work installing this type of fence is not that difficult, but we can definitely use some extra hands.

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