Mark Your Calendars for the 5th Semi-Annual Southern Region Meeting
May 14th 2016, 9:00 AM
Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center
College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Sciences
Tennessee State University
472 Cadillac Ln
McMinnville, TN 37110
Dear Members, Volunteers, Cooperators and Citizen Scientists of the Southern Region of The American Chestnut Foundation:
Please join us at the 2016 Southern Region Meeting Saturday, May 14th 2016 at the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center.
At this meeting, I will present the current status of the TACF breeding program (Jared Westbrook may attend and also present on this topic) and the role of the chapters as we move forward with innovative genomics and new strategies in disease resistance breeding.
I will also update members on the “what’s going on” at the National level, including some key topics discussed at the recent National Board Meeting. Be prepared for an ‘open discussion’ on our breeding program and regional objectives.
We will be looking for members and cooperators to bring items to discuss, including, new ideas and innovations, issues that need to be addressed, and/or potential new opportunities for partnerships.
Do you want to give a presentation? We also welcome presentations from attendees, including, but not limited to, chapter reports, new research, student presentations, chestnut culture and history, or anything else that’s fun and interesting. Let me know and I’ll get it on the agenda!
Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center
The folks at the Research Center will provide a large space for our meeting, equipped with media equipment (projectors for presentations), at a beautiful modern facility and a fascinating research center. http://www.tnstate.edu/agriculture/nrc/ Thank you Dr. Nick Gawel for providing this space for our event!
General Itinerary:
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Presentations, discussions and chapter reporting
1:00 to 2:00 PM, Break for catered lunch
1:00 --? Attend a guided tour of the research center, provided byf Research Center Superintendent, Dr. Nick Gawel
Catering:High Rollers Smokers
Paula Roller
Paula is very familiar with the facility and has done a lot of events here. They can do a pretty reasonable BBQ sandwich lunch. They have very good BBQ (So says Nick, but his favorite is their chicken leg quarter). Paula is very flexible and will tailor the meal to include the items we want.
Paula Roller
Paula is very familiar with the facility and has done a lot of events here. They can do a pretty reasonable BBQ sandwich lunch. They have very good BBQ (So says Nick, but his favorite is their chicken leg quarter). Paula is very flexible and will tailor the meal to include the items we want.
(Let’s try to get an estimate on number of attendees to Paula and then ask everyone to pay at the time of the event?)
If for some reason Paula cannot help, another person is Janice Kennemar. Nick has not personally used her, but other groups that meet at the NRC do, so she is familiar with the facility.
If for some reason Paula cannot help, another person is Janice Kennemar. Nick has not personally used her, but other groups that meet at the NRC do, so she is familiar with the facility.
Lodging:
It would be really, really fun to meet at Fall Creek Falls State Park the day before our meeting, for a little pre-meeting socializing, hiking, science talk, etc.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
The park is about 45 minutes east of the Nursery Research Center, on the Cumberland Plateau.
General site for park: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fall-creek-falls
Site for the Inn at Fall Creek Falls: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/inn/inn-at-fall-creek-falls
Also, FYI…
The park is about 45 minutes east of the Nursery Research Center, on the Cumberland Plateau.
General site for park: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fall-creek-falls
Site for the Inn at Fall Creek Falls: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/inn/inn-at-fall-creek-falls
Also, FYI…
For lodging directly in McMinnville we do not have much to choose from, but of what we have, the preferred lodging is:
Tree City Inn (Best Western): http://bestwesterntennessee.com/hotels/best-western-tree-city-inn
One that is OK, but a little lower quality than the Best Western:
America's Best Value Inn: http://www.americasbestvalueinn.com/bestv.cfm?idp=683
Please plan to attend!
Tree City Inn (Best Western): http://bestwesterntennessee.com/hotels/best-western-tree-city-inn
One that is OK, but a little lower quality than the Best Western:
America's Best Value Inn: http://www.americasbestvalueinn.com/bestv.cfm?idp=683
Please plan to attend!
Please RSVP as soon as possible!
Please forward this invite to members/cooperators, etc. whom may want to attend
And please let me know if you and/or your students would like to give a presentation.
See you all there!
Thomas McNeill Saielli
The American Chestnut Foundation
Southern Regional Science Coordinator
50 North Merrimon Avenue, suite 115
Asheville, NC 28804
Tel: 828-450-9100
Office: 828-281-0047
