Hello everyone,
 
As we all probably know, the events of the last week have been very disruptive to our industry. I think everyone expected that we may have some disease pressure throughout the growing season, but no one thought we would see the cancellation of plant orders due to this disease. I have purposely waited to send this email in hope of getting a little better handle on the scope and severity of the event. The NC Strawberry Association board and I have been fielding questions and trying to connect growers who have those questions with the professionals. I have personally spoken with Dr. Bill Cline and others about where they see this issue going and what the association could do to help.  Below you will find several different correspondences where our industry specialists have provided information for your consumption. Please review the attached information and please feel free to ask questions or just reach out to talk. I mostly want each grower that reads this to know that I understand their hardships and concerns with the current issues at hand. I also want everyone to know that based on my conversations with so many of you over the last week the issues we are currently facing will likely change our industry. We have the opportunity to face this challenge as a team and that is exactly what I plan to do in working with all of you to find solutions to our industry’s problems. I have one last thought after reading Dr. Mark Hoffmann's email I would like to concur with him that whether or not we’re at the nursery level or propagator or even grower this is a problem that we’re all involved in; let’s work together to create a supply line that provides good clean plants for everyone. I look forward to helping any of our growers that may have been involved.

James (JR) Odom
President, NC Strawberry Association
Phone:  (919) 738-2928
Email:  jrodom1426@gmail.com