IDFTA 2000 Goes Down-Under

 

Photo Album by Jon Clements and Win Cowgill

For it's 43rd Annual Conference, the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association (IDFTA) went to New Zealand, a country well-known for it's success in the export fruit market. New Zealand has built a reputation for competitive world-wide marketing with a government-sponsored fruit quality control program that is second to none. New Zealand also claims to be the birthplace of  the hugely popular apple cultivars 'Gala' and 'Fuji.' Clearly, dwarf fruit tree growers from around the world had a lot to learn by visiting New Zealand orchards and exchanging ideas and knowledge with their 'down-under' partners in what has become a world-wide marketplace.

A group of growers, extensionists, researchers, and industry representatives departed the U.S. on February 1, and arrived in New Zealand on Thursday, February 3. Part of a tour sponsored by IDFTA and ATSTours, this photo album traces both their 'tourist' activities while traversing New Zealand's north island, and their IDFTA Conference/Orchard Tour experience in Napier. We hope you enjoy the pictures, and if you have any comments, please drop either Win or Jon and e-mail.

Day 1 -- Thursday, February 3

winsaunderssmall.JPG (14316 bytes) ? and Bennett Saunders, IDFTA Board member, and Win Cowgill (sitting), relax shortly after arriving in New Zealand. From Los Angeles, it is a 13 hour Air New Zealand flight to Auckland.

moretroutbsmall.JPG (14730 bytes)

Before arriving in Rotorua, we stopped at Rainbow Springs for a short tour of the trout ponds and wildlife exhibits of this tourist attraction.

troutsmall.JPG (14725 bytes)

The Lake Taupo/Rotorua region is world-famous for some of the best trout fishing in the world. These rainbow trout averaged four pounds in weight and naturally congregated in this small, spring-fed pond.

On to Day 2