Model of community extension: Fairchild International Mango Festival.
Ledesma N., Campbell R. J.
Author Affiliation: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 11935 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156, USA.
Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Tropical Horticulture 47 : 186-187
Abstract : The Fairchild International Mango Festival (IMF) has been held at Fairchild Tropical Garden (Florida, USA) for the past 13 years. The objectives of the IMF include: generic promotion of mangoes; celebration of the fruit and its products; and education of the general and expert audiences. Educational programmes are presented for the local and international community, where all may develop an appreciation for the diversity of cultivars, the wide range of available flavours and a range of horticultural subjects. The focus of the event is the living collection of more than 200 cultivars that represent the majority of the genetic diversity of mangoes throughout the world. The IMF takes place in July during the peak of the mango season in South Florida. Through the Public Relations and Marketing departments of Fairchild Tropical Garden, the festival is able to capture the attention of the local, national and international press and deliver the latest in scientific and horticultural advances. Each year, since its inception, the number of visitors has increased. In 2003 there were 6000 participants in the event.