eSprout |   September 2015
Register Today for TACF's 2015 Annual Meeting!
The American Chestnut Foundation has partnered with the Schatz Tree Genetics Colloquium to offer a state-of-the-art educational experience called "Integrating Genomics Tools in American Chestnut Restoration." Learn about genome sequencing, marker-assisted selection techniques, and participate in hands-on learning opportunities, such as DNA extraction in the lab. Register NOW for this exciting, hands-on learning opportunity on October 23-24.
Staff Article: How to Harvest and Process Chestnuts
By Tom
Saielli, Southern Regional Science Coordinator
The sights and sounds of autumn are all around; leaves are changing color and falling from the trees, geese are heading south in great V formations, and big orange pumpkins sit in farm fields ready to be picked. One of the surest signs of autumn are the big green burs covering chestnut trees...it's almost time to harvest! But, before you head out with your pole pruner, here are a few tips on how to harvest and process your chestnuts. 
Stanback Intern Shares Summer Experience
By Aadish Shah, Duke University Stanback Intern
Duke University Stanback Intern Aadish Shah spent the summer working under the instruction of Southern Regional Science Coordinator Tom Saielli. In this article, he details the work he completed during his first summer working in the United States. He was exposed to three different types of work: field work in TACF orchards, Phytophthora research, and database input and management for TACF's dentatabase.
TACF is excited to be included in the National/International 2015 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Charity List distributed to Federal employees and military personnel in the U.S. and overseas. If you are a federal employee or member of the military, please consider designating The American Chestnut Foundation (Donor Code: 95986) as your beneficiary this year. 
TACF Earns Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator 
The American Chestnut Foundation is extremely proud to announce its recent 4-star rating for 2015 from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most influential charity rater. Due to TACF's sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency, this is the 9th time in the last 11 years that TACF has earned this top distinction. TACF's rating and other information about charitable giving are available on www.charitynavigator.org

Photo submitted by Mark Double and taken by Wheeler Sprague Wise. 
Little Evangeline hugs the American chestnut seedlings. Click here to view a large-scale version of this image. Submitted via email. 
Don't Miss These Upcoming Fall Chestnut Festivals! 
Mark your calendars for CHESTNUT FESTIVALS in October: 
Each of these fun events has a great line up of activities this year so save the date(s) today! Check out all the details here!
Calendar of Events
September 19 / New England Regional Chestnut Meeting / Urban Forestry Center45 Elwyn Road / Portsmouth, NH / 03801 / 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. 

September 25 - 27 / ME Chapter Event: TACF Presentation and Booth Hosted by Dr. Brian Roth / Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's Common Ground Country Fair / Unity, ME / 12 P.M. 

October 3 / VA Chapter Event: Open House and Bur Opening / Marshall, VA 

October 11 / WV Chapter Event: 8th Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival / Rowlesburg, WV / 10:30 A.M. - 7:30 P.M. 

October 11 / Carolinas Chapter Event: North Carolina Aboretum Fall Outdoor Fitness and Fun Fest / Asheville, NC / 12 P.M. - 4 P.M. 

October 15 / Massachusetts Horticulture Society Honorary Medals Dinner / Hunnewell Carriage House / Wellesley, MA / 6:30 P.M. 

October 17 / Maine Chapter Annual Meeting / Newport, ME / 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. 

October 17 / 6th Annual Chestnut Celebration / Meadowview Research Farms / 29010 Hawthorne Drive, Meadowview, VA 24361 / 2 P.M. - 6 P.M. 

October 23 - 25 / TACF Annual Meeting 2015 in collaboration with Schatz Tree Genetics Colloquium / Penn Stater Conference Hotel / State College, PA / Register Today! 

October 31 / VA Chapter Annual Membership Meeting / Matthews State Forest Headquarters / 106 Forest Lane, Galax, VA / 1:30 P.M. 

For all TACF events, visit http://www.acf.org/calendar.php. 
The American Chestnut Foundation
50 North Merrimon Ave, Suite 115
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 281-0047
               
The mission of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is to restore the American chestnut tree to our eastern woodlands to benefit our environment, our wildlife, and our society.

 

TACF is a 501(c)3 conservation organization headquartered in Asheville, NC. To learn about TACF and its national breeding program, visit www.acf.org. To join the effort to restore the American chestnut tree, visit www.acf.org/join.php.