SCIENTIFIC TRUFFLE GROWER SEMINAR

European black truffle demand far exceeds the supply, and truffle orchards (or truffières as they are sometimes known) can be highly profitable businesses. But how do you grow truffles? How do you start and operate a truffle farm? What hidden factors must you consider before buying truffle trees? What are ideal locations and climates? What are the common pitfalls you must be aware of? Most importantly, where is the top source of truffle science and the significant amount of truffle farming expertise needed to be successful?

Join Chief Scientist Prof. Paul Thomas and Chief Truffle Officer Robert Chang of the American Truffle Company^® for an in-depth all-day seminar on the fundamentals of the science and business of truffle cultivation. This is designed to be a one-stop source of comprehensive information and fundamentals for starting a profitable truffle growing business. Gain insights into the scientific and business factors one must consider for growing truffles from two leading truffle experts. Delve into a ten-point checklist necessary for a highly successful and profitable truffle business. Get to know the finance and economics of truffle cultivation. Tour a working truffle orchard and see dogs in action finding truffles. Experience the excitement of unearthing truffles from the soil! You’ll also be able to meet and speak with growers who are actively producing truffles. Get a free site and climate evaluation of your land. Discover what goes into growing the most lucrative legal crop and know the pitfalls before you start. Dr. Paul and Robert will share with you the practical scientific and business expertise they have pioneered which has helped many truffle growers successfully grow and market truffles in North America and across other continents.

Dogs are an integral part of harvesting truffles. Just like rigorous science is required to successfully grow truffles, a scientific approach is key to successful dog training. ATC’s partner CPDT-KA dog trainer Alana McGee will demonstrate how highly trained truffle dogs hunt and find truffles.

This full-day experience includes the Scientific Truffle Grower Seminar in the morning, a buffet lunch with fresh black truffles prepared by Michelin starred La Toque Restaurant, a tour of a working truffière and a dog training and truffle harvest demonstration. This is a milestone year as we anticipate we may be able to use ultra-fresh Napa/Sonoma harvested Périgord black truffles for the very first time in our truffle festival history!** Fresh Périgord black truffles will be shaved on your lunch, so you can find out for yourself why they are so sought after!

RAIN OR SHINE! Please dress appropriately for the tour as we will gather rain or shine! If the weather is damp, we recommend boots/mud shoes, rain jacket/hoodie and umbrella.

** We are still in the early years of production so the timing and quantity of locally harvested black truffles are somewhat unpredictable.