In the beginning, there were letters: letters sent from one interested fruit-grower to another, and then on to the next and the next, with contributions added by each reader. Eventually, this informational round-robin was formalized into POMONA, the quarterly journal of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX). Issued in January, April, July, and October, POMONA contains practical, instructive articles written by NAFEX's membership on the many facets of fruit growing.

Many of the members teach and conduct research in university agriculture departments around the world, while many others are commercial fruit growers who depend for their living on the successful production of fruit crops each year. Still others range from interested, inexperienced amateurs who would love to pick a few apples from their own trees to interested, skilled amateurs who have gained their skill through reading Pomona regularly and practicing what they have learned, with, perhaps, an occasional desperate call to a special consultant in the field. Two regular columns in the journal, "Back to Basics" and "Beginners' Section," offer help on fundamental issues, while other articles range from basic to scholarly. Practicality is an underlying consideration throughout the journal.

Two of NAFEX's finest services to its membership are the operation of fruit and nut interest groups, and the special consultants in various fields.

Regional NAFEX Groups also exist for a closer, more personal connection with other fruit growers. NAFEX operates a large mail-serviced library, through which members may borrow books and periodicals on horticulture, agriculture, and plant science, for a minimal postage fee. Updated library information appears regularly in Pomona. Another mail-order service, operated directly between members, is the "Exchange Page," where seeds, scions, budwood and occasional other items are offered or requested; charges are minimal, covering only postage costs.

The round-robin of thirty years ago is today a round-the-world robin, going out to nearly 4,000 people in twenty-two countries, spanning both hemispheres of the globe. POMONA is an invaluable storehouse of practical, current information on every conceivable aspect of fruit growing for the amateur, professional, and professor.