The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

In July, 2010 a new site "Everything About Peaches" was launched (http://www.clemson.edu/peach) to provide comprehensive, research-based information for the commercial and backyard grower and general consumer. To date, this site has been utilized extensively around the world and in 2011 it was recognized by both S.Reg. ASHS and ASHS with website awards.  The purpose of this presentation is to familiarize the audience with website features and content, strategies used to keep information current and relevant and approaches to reach new audiences.  In 2011, a Twitter (http://twitter.com/peachdoctor) and FaceBook (http://www.facebook.com/peachdoctor) page were added that link to and compliment the website.  The site includes 33 educational YouTube videos, 36 grower-oriented educational columns, 35 frequently asked questions (FAQ's) - most with complimentary images, current news, and links to production guides and homeowner guides.  The use of Google Alerts has enabled us to stay current with relevant peach news worldwide and use of this service enables interesting tweets (often 2 or more per day) that appear both on the FaceBook and Twitter pages and in a Twitter pane on the website home page.  This website also incoporates a searchable database for peach germplasm evaluation of more than 300 cultivars and advanced selections tested over as many as 10 years at multiple locations in South Carolina.  The germplasm database is fully searchable with performance data, digital images, cultivar descriptions, etc.  Interested persons can make side-by-side comparisons of cultivars of interest.