Do you enjoy growing plants and want to try something exotic? Are you interested in learning more about California's emerging coffee industry?
The Huntley College of Agriculture is hosting its 2nd annual summit about growing coffee in California on Jan. 17 and 18 at AGRIscapes on the Cal Poly Pomona campus.
Among the speakers at the first day of the summit are California coffee industry leaders from Santa Barbara and San Diego counties, long-time agricultural professionals from the University of California, and a leader from the specialty coffee industry in Panama.
The speakers will cover how to establish a coffee farm and best farm management practices. The summit also will have coffee tasting opportunities on the first day.
The second day of the summit consists of an all-day tour exploring three unique coffee farms in various stages of development in San Diego County. Space is limited to 40 participants, with preference given to those who attend the first day.
For the past two years, the Department of Plant Science has conducted a research trial by planting coffee in a secluded spot on the Cal Poly Pomona campus. The trial included 13 different varieties from Honduras and El Salvador to see which could tolerate the range of temperatures in the Pomona area.
Students participated in the research by measuring the plants to chart growth, weeding, fertilizing, mulching, and irrigating the coffee.
The plant science department is also working with the human nutrition and food science department to process the coffee berries so they can be consumed as fruit. The edible berries also contain caffeine.
The cost to attend the first day of the California Coffee Summit is $75 plus a processing fee. The cost to attend both days is $140 plus a processing fee. Participants can register online.
A continental breakfast is available the first day, and lunch will be provided both days.
The AGRIscapes Center at Cal Poly Pomona is at 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona, near the Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch. The 20-acre facility is the educational outreach center for the Huntley College of Agriculture.
For more information on the summit, contact Duncan McKee.