Christmas Tree Short Course February 8 – 10, 2018 • Toftrees Golf Resort • State College, PA

Thursday, February 8, 2018

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Registration Open 7:00 p.m. Mix & Mingle

Friday, February 9, 2018 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open (Breakfast on your own)

7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Welcome from PCTGA President

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Strategies to Improve the Postharvest Quality of Christmas Trees Gary Chastagner, Professor, Washington State University

Consumer surveys consistently indicate that keepability issues, particularly those related to needle loss, is a major concern associated with the use of real Christmas trees. During the presentation, Gary will provide an overview of short- and long-term strategies the Christmas tree industry can use to improve the postharvest quality of Christmas trees.

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Pesticide Resistance Tracey Harpster, Extension Educator, PSU Pesticide Safety and Education Tracey will define pesticide resistance, analyze factors leading up to resistance, discuss new label guidance and review resistance modeling.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Respiratory Protective Devices for Pesticides Tracey Harpster, Extension Educator, PSU Pesticide Safety and Education

Tracey will describe the dangers pesticides can pose to the respiratory system. She will also explain the legal and medical requirements for respirator use, identify the different types of respirators, describe the proper use and care of respirators, and identify new WPS requirements.

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. AgMap: Direct Marketing Website Promoting Agriculture Bob Neiderer, Research Tech, PSU

AgMap is an online, searchable directory of America’s agricultural businesses, which includes producers, processors and service providers. Consumers can find products in rural areas and equipment suppliers all with the click of a mouse. AgMap is boosting businesses throughout the state, helping them grow with its accessible, direct marketing strategy. 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 2018 Weed Control in Christmas Tree Manual Tracey Harpster, Extension Educator, PSU Pesticide Safety and Education

This presentation will cover the pre- and post-emergence herbicides and other weed control options for Christmas Tree Producers in Pennsylvania. Participants will also receive the updated 2018 Weed Control in Christmas Tree Manual.

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (On your own)

2018 Christmas Tree Short Course Program Schedule

Friday, February 9, 2018 continued 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Christmas Tree Promotion Campaign 2017 – How Social Media Moved the Needle Marsha Gray, Michigan Christmas Tree Association

The second fully-funded promotional campaign undertaken by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board included a revised formula of creative content, public relations outreach and consumer engagement. So, how did we do? Marsha Gray will provide highlights from the campaign; including the popular Grower Videos, Satellite Media Tour, national television opportunities, city tree lighting events and more.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Phytophthora Root Rot and the CoFirGE Project Gary Chastagner, Professor, Washington State University

Phytophthora root rot has the potential to limit the production of highly susceptible true firs, such as Fraser and noble fir. Gary will provide an overview of the biology of the pathogens that cause this disease, how these pathogens vary among production regions and present information on the management of this disease, including the use of root rot-resistant true firs. He will also provide an overview of early results on the variation in bud break, growth and needle retention on the Nordmann, Turkish and Trojan firs in the CoFirGE project. 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Chainsaw Safety for Christmas Tree Growers Mike Powell, Instructor, Conservation Leadership School Director, SAF and Woodsmen Team Advisor, PSU Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

The chainsaw is a valuable tool which assists with plantation maintenance and harvesting trees. Chainsaw Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) saw operation and saw/bar maintenance will be discussed to help ensure those who operate the saws go home safely every day.

2018 Christmas Tree Short Course Program Schedule

Short Course

2018 Christmas Tree Short Course Program Schedule

Friday, February 9, 2018 continued

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Break

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Grower Panel and Plant Identification Sarah Pickel, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, IPM Education Specialist Heavy Hors d’ Oeuvres and Cash Bar

Saturday, February 10, 2018 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration Open (Breakfast on your own) 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Herbicide Injury Symptoms Tracey Harpster, Extension Educator, PSU Pesticide Safety and Education

Why is it important to learn about herbicide mode of action? The starting point is to understand the various ways herbicides are classified. By the end of this presentation, you should be able to discuss why it is important to know the herbicide mode of action of the herbicide you are using. You will also gain an understanding of herbicide group numbers and how they help you manage resistance. 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Doc White’s Economic Crystal Ball Alex White, A. White Enterprises, Financial Advisor, Verity Asset Management, Inc. Alex will take his best guess (notice it didn’t say educated) at what’s coming down the road for the US economy. He will talk about the current state of the economy and what to look for in the next few years – interest rates, retirement, unemployment and other economic forecasters.  10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. How Life Insurance Should Play a Large Part in Estate Planning Claetus Canby, Agent, Farm Family Insurance Co.; Robert Spiker, Agent, Farm Family Insurance Co.

It is generally believed that tax rates will be on the rise due to national debt. Permanent life insurance can protect your legacy from being eroded away by those tax rate increases. 

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Crafting Evergreen Wreaths for Customers and Competition Gary Hague, Hague’s Christmas Trees

Gary will discuss his journey through more than 37 years of Christmas wreath making in business and competitions. He will explain how one complements the other, sharing what he has learned along the way and how he has applied that learning and experience.

2018 Christmas Tree Short Course Program Schedule

Saturday, February 10, 2018 continued 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. How to Ruin a Family Dinner in One Easy Step Alex White, A. White Enterprises, Financial Advisor, Verity Asset Management, Inc.

Have you had that family conversation about transition planning for your business? Alex can tell you from experience not to start that conversation at a holiday meal! Let’s talk about why transition planning is important for your business and for your family. Alex will throw out some tips of what to do and what not to do to help move your family business into the future.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Management of Mite and Insect Pests in the Dormant Season and Early Spring Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, PA Dept. of Agriculture

This session will cover the management strategies for mite, adelgid, aphid and other early season pests; including the use of dormant oils.

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Optional) Toftrees Canaan, Fraser, Balsam Seed Orchard Tour

The sessions listed above will be submitted to the Department of Agriculture offices in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. We will announce the Pesticide Credit offerings as they become available.

Toftrees Golf Resort

One Country Club Lane State College, PA 16803

www.toftrees.com

PCTGA has negotiated discounted room rates for the days of Christmas Tree Short Course, as well as three days before and three days after the meeting based on availability.

Room Rate: $89 (plus tax)

The reservation deadline is January 18, 2018. Rooms will be available at the discounted rate until the deadline or until the room block is sold out. Any room reservations received after the cut-off date are subject to the hotel’s standard rates and availability. We encourage you to make your reservations quickly for the best price and availability.

To receive the discounted pricing, make your reservation by calling the hotel at (800) 252–3551. Make sure to mention our group name: PA Christmas Tree Growers Association, to ensure you receive the discounted room rates.

2018 Christmas Tree Short Course Hotel Information

Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, 2207 Forest Hills Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112 Phone: 717.238.9765, Fax: 717.238.9985, Email: admin@christmastrees.org, Website: www.christmastrees.org

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