Apr 23, 2020

IFTA cancels Summer Study Tour; fall trip to Italy still on

The International Fruit Tree Association has canceled its 2020 Summer Study Tour that was to take place in Richland, Washington, July 22-24.

Lisa Jenereax, chair of  International Fruit Tree Association’s board of directors, issued the following communication to IFTA members on April 23.

“We hope this letter finds you well, safe, and healthy.  It seems we are living in a different world than the one we met in just two months ago at the Annual Conference in Michigan.  We are reaching out to you now so that you know we are as committed as ever to the values and goals of IFTA, and to providing you with the latest information, advances, and best practices to benefit your operation and the tree fruit industry.

We want to keep you informed to some of the changes we’ve made at IFTA considering the Covid-19 pandemic:

• The 2020 Summer Study Tour, slated to take place in Richland, Washington is canceled. With so much uncertainty around travel and group functions in the next few months, the Board thought it best to cancel the Study Tour altogether, rather than postpone.

• Our next Annual Conference will now take place in Kennewick, Washington and not California as previously announced.  The dates for the conference are February 21-24, 2021.  More information will be coming in the following months.

• Onward Travel is managing the Italy International Tour and is still optimistic that it will take place as scheduled.  Those signed up to attend should hear directly from Onward Travel soon. 

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at an IFTA function in the near future.

On a personal note, you have all been on my mind in recent days as we are facing unprecedented challenges.  I have heard of farm businesses working through Covid-19 cases, parents working full time while looking after their children, and everyone in the industry scrambling to get the labor needed for the season.  You are not alone and we will get through this.  Keep in touch with each other, as the days can be overwhelming and a friendly voice or text is all that is needed to brighten a day.

I also want to thank the people that have reached out to me and others in Nova Scotia.  In the midst of a pandemic, the tragic shooting has left us heartbroken.  We are a small and very close knit province and most of us will have some connection to the loss.  It is times like this we are reminded of what is most important in our lives.

Take care my friends.  I anxiously await the time when our group can be together again.

Sincerely,

Lisa Jenereaux

Chair, International Fruit Tree Association”