NZ Tree Crops Association

Coastal Otago Branch

2003 NZTCA Conference

Dunedin

24 - 27 April 2003

The Versatile South

[Archived Information - for reference only]

Introduction

Pre-conference and post-conference tours were available -
Oamaru Pre-conference tour - details

Why Dunedin

Historic heritage venue in Stafford St - former Shacklock Home; Cedars of Lebanon Club

Central Dunedin Location - visit Dunedin City Council for:

Wide range of accomodation nearby
Experience real Southern Hospitality
Wide range of Tourism options -

• Tairoa Heads Royal Albatross Colony
• Blue Penguins - Otago Peninsula
• Taieri Excursion Train
• Olveston (Historic Home)
• Harbour Cruises
• Eco Tours
• The picturesque Catlins

Sponsors

Our Main Sponsor for the Conference is Southern Woods Nursery

Our dinner will be sponsored by Allenton Nurseries

Minor sponsors include Fords Nurseries, Hazelnut Nurseries, Wairata Forest Farms (hazelnuts), and Williams & Kettle - Fruitfed Supplies.

Many other sponsors will added to the list. We are greatly appreciative of their support - please support them. More details on our LINKS page.

Programme — "The Versatile South"

The conference venue is the Cedars of Lebanon Club, a gracious historic building close to the city centre. It has a beautiful, inner-city garden. We are still in the process of fine-tuning the programme, but you can expect all (or most) of the following:

• The culinary uses of tree crops
• Landscape design, amenity value and treecropping
• New crops for cooler climates
• The Otago and Southland topoclimate project
• Treecrops and permaculture
• Roundtable discussions on (1) maintenance and care of treecrops and (2) future directions for the Tree Crops Association
• Tree crops and the Internet
• Special interest groups

The conference programme has now been finalized, although we are still 'fine-tuning' some details.

On Friday, 25th, there will be talks about the Otago Topoclimate Mapping Project and New Crops for New Zealand, twin initiatives which set the standard for future progress in matching crops and the environment throughout the country. Warwick Hobbs, an Otago orchardist will talk about growing and selling organic apples. In response to demand from members, we have set aside plenty of time for interest groups to meet. There will also be a roundtable discussion devoted to the topic of the NZTCA's future, as set out in its new Strategic Plan (the plan can be consulted by visiting the Association's website). The roundtable will be followed by the AGM.

Saturday will be devoted to a field trip, which will take in properties on the Otago peninsula, in Port Chalmers and Blueskin Bay. Apart from looking at a wide variety of trees, we hope to have a "hands-on" session at Blueskin Nursery and a demonstration by a local woodturner of some end uses for timber trees.

Saturday, 26 April is our field trip day - so pray for a fine day, please. Our first stop will be at the property of Peter Cook and Anna Moore. Situated in the shadow of the famous Harbour Cone on the Otago peninsula, Peter and Anna's block enjoys a remarkable microclimate. Together, they have worked wonders on their property and we guarantee that you will find the visit quite inspirational. From there we head off to the other side of the harbour to see a planting of gevuinas at Carol Meikle's place. After lunch at the port in Port Chalmers, we will drive over the hill to Waitati, where we will be hosted by Mark and Claire Brown of Blueskin Nurseries. Mark will show us round the nursery, where there will also be a demonstration of woodturning and a talk about the kinds of wood that turners are on the lookout for - so no more cherry branches on the log burner!
Saturday night is set aside for the Conference Dinner. Our guest speaker will be Dougal Stevenson.

The Sunday is a half-day to wrap up the conference. We will have a talk on the culinary uses of tree crops by local celebrities Mary Brown and Helen Leach (of 'The Cook's Garden' fame). Arne Cleland will share his immense experience as plantsman and landscaper when he speaks on tree crops, shelter and amenity values. The conference will end with a roundtable discussion of maintenance and care of tree crops.

Features

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUS
We have secured the services of this excellent facility for the conference. Everyone will have the opportunity to get on the internet. There will be expert help at hand for those whose computer skills are thin on the ground. For those who are old hands already at surfing the net, we hope that the IT Bus will encourage you to share your knowledge with others. We have set ourselves the particular task of drawing up a comprehensive list of good websites to visit, so please come armed with relevant information. If we are successful, we would like to have the list posted on the Association's website. As the bus can only accommodate a certain number of people at a time, we will operate a booking sheet.

PRODUCE COMPETITION
Please remember to bring produce for the competition. We will be offering prizes to the best entries in four categories: Wood items (turned, small carpentry); Food (fruit, nut, sap-based, etc.); Tree Crops Crafts; Photography or art work.
There will be prizes for the best of each of the above, as well as for 'Best Serious Entry', 'Best Fun Entry' and 'Most Unusual Entry'. Please be sure to mark your entry clearly with your name and the category for which it is entered.

AUCTION We will be running an auction as part of the Conference Dinner on the Saturday evening. If you have any suitable items that you are willing to donate for auction, please bring them with you. We already have a large number of sponsors products to add to the list. In any case, bring your cheque book with you, get yourself some bargains and help swell the Association's coffers at the same time!

Needless to say, we are determined to make this a conference to remember. For this to happen, we need a healthy attendance, especially from our local branch. SO, GET YOUR REGISTRATION IN NOW! Registration forms for both the Conference and the Pre-Conference Tour are above.

INDIVIDUAL TOURS OF THE REGION
Some of you will be wanting to extend your visit to the conference with trips elsewhere in the deep south. We suggest, in particular, that you consider the Catlins (on the coast to the south-east of Balclutha) and Central Otago as potential areas to visit. Information will be available at the conference.

That was the plan. How did it eventuate? Read the reviews...

http://www.treecrops.org.nz/bydate/conf03/index.html
Created: Saturday, 17 August 2002 - Updated: 2007 August 10