Welcome to the North American Truffle Growers Association (NATGA) website! We are pleased and proud to be entering into our 5th year as an association of truffle growers located primarily (but not exclusively) on farms in the southeastern United States. We became interested in this farming endeavor in all kinds of different ways and all ended up researching the possibilities and deciding that it is indeed possible to grow truffles in this part of the world. Our decisions have been confirmed and supported by the harvesting of truffles now on several of our farms.

As I am writing this information for the website, I have just been elected president of NATGA. My husband, Rick and I are very happy to be some of the first growers in the state of North Carolina having planted orchards at Keep Your Fork Farm in Stokes County, North Carolina in 2000. Our research and consequent planting of filbert trees for the truffle cultivation began with Franklin Garland in Hillsboro, NC. Our first harvest was in the fall of 2006. You may have seen us with the Garlands on the Martha Stewart Show in February 2007.

Several years ago, Franklin and his wife, Betty (www.garlandtruffles.com) received a large grant on behalf of NATGA to supply trees to 50 farmers in North Carolina who were interested in trying this alternative crop. It was at the time of this grant funding that NATGA was officially founded. Betty and Franklin have been parenting and guiding the organization ever since then. In January 2008, it was time for them to take a break. They are staying on, of course, to guide and support us as lifetime members.

As members of NATGA, we see ourselves as pioneers in a new alternative crop. We have certainly had our issues on the farming front – from drought to varmints to extreme heat – just like any other farmer would face. It has been an adventure. As we grow in the ability to support and share information with each other, we hope to educate others in this field and bring more truffle growers into our midst. Let us know if you would like more information.

Best Regards, Jane Morgan Smith, President NATGA www.keepyourforkfarm.com