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2010 Summer Meeting "Meet in Michigan"

MACT, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio Christmas Tree Associations

July 23-24, 2010 - Wahmhoff Farms, 23090 M-40 Hwy., Gobles, MI 

Please note - Early registration deadline is July 13, 2010!

Download registration info here.

For complete exhibitor registration information, please click here.

Join Us!

Make Michigan your destination and meet with Christmas tree growers from around the Midwest and Great Lakes region as the Michigan, MACT, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio Christmas Tree Association combine for this summer event!

We know you won't want to miss this show with a great line up of tours, demonstrations, auction and, of course, a huge trade show!

Exhibitors registered at this time include:

  • Badger Evergreen Nursery
  • Bitel Innovations
  • Bohning Company
  • Bosch's Countyview Nursery
  • Cherokee Manufacturing
  • Dutchman Tree Farms
  • Fraser Knoll
  • Green Valley Agricultural, Inc.
  • Gwinn's Christmas Tree Farm
  • Hensler Nursery
  • Howey Tree Baler
  • Hudler Carolina Tree Farms
  • J & L Orchard Supply
  • John Deere Water
  • Kingma Christmas Tree Farm
  • The Kirk Company
  • Korson's Tree Farms
  • Maple Ridge Supply
  • MAS Labor H-2A, LLC
  • Needlefast Evergreen
  • Northwoods Evergreen & Wire
  • Peak Seasons
  • Peterson's Riverview Nursery
  • Santa's Wholesale
  • Seybert's Implement Sales
  • Southern Forestry Products, Inc.
  • Spring Brook Supply
  • Strathmeyer Forests
  • Thomas Bros. Equipment Sales
  • Tim Mitchell's Yule Stand System
  • Tree-Teck
  • Trickl-Eez Company
  • Tri-State Grower Supply
  • Van's Pines, Inc.
  • Veldsma & Sons, Inc.
  • Wahmhoff Farms
  • Zirk Welding & Irrigation
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, July 23
7:30AM Registration and Exhibit Area Open with Continental Breakfast at Wahmhoff Farm Nursery
9:00AM
 Welcome
9:30AM
 Christmas Tree Pest Update - Dr. Deb McCullough, MSU reviews the most prevalent pests found on Christmas tree farms in the Great Lakes region and present recommendations for pest management practices.
10:45AM Weathering the Storm - Where the Economy Can Go and What You Can Do About It - Today's unprecedented economic problems are causing growers to rething nearly every aspect of their livelihood. Uncertainty complicated farm-level decisions, which in turn adversely affects production and efficiency. Brett Crosby will address the health of the broader economy and what it means to the Christmas tree industry. Specifically what growers can do to survive the current economic crisis, prepare for the possibility of a further economic downturn, and position for the economic rebound that some economists see around the corner.
11:30AM
Lunch & Exhibit Break
1:00PM
Depart for Allegan tour - Peterson's Riverview Nursery, Wahmhoff Farms - Guests will travel to Peterson's Riverview Nursery where they will visit the Peterson's nursery, choose & cut farm and wreath production facility. The tour will continue at Wahmhoff Farms and feature inter planting strategies with Dr. Mel Koelling, MSU and disease management issues with Dr. Dennis Fulbright, MSU and Jill O'Donnell, MSU Extension.
1:00PM Auxiliary Program - St. Julian Winery Tour - Enjoy a fun afternoon touring the St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw. Tour includes a visit to the wine tasting room and gift shop. Guests may also enjoy visiting the Warner's Vineyards Winery as well (time dependent).
4:30PM Reception with Exhibitors - Attendees will enjoy a chance to have refreshments and shopping time in the exhibitor's area.
6:00PM
Dinner followed by live auction and 50/50 raffle drawing
   
Saturday, July 24
7:30AM
 Registration and Exhibits open  Coffee and morning refreshments
8:00AM
 State association meetings followed by exhibit shopping time
10:00AM
Tour of Wahmhoff Farms - Guests will tour the choose and cut operation at Wahmhoff Farms and see a wide selection of tree varieties.  Drs. Pascal Nzokou and Bernie Zandstra, MSU will review their cover crop and weed control trials. Dr. Bert Cregg, MSU will present a pot-in-pot Christmas tree production system.
10:00AM Auxiliary Program - Fresh Wreath Inspirations - This two part presentation will include a presentation by Anne Peterson featuring the techniques for constructing an award winning wreath as well as a design show of wreaths decorated by a local designer.
Noon Lunch and exhibitor time
1:30PM Demonstrations - Guests will have the opportunity to see how the staff of Wahmhoff Farms implements planting, shearing and spraying as well as digging and tying B&B stock at four demonstration locations.
1:30PM Environmental Education Campaign - Learn more about the Go Green Get Real Campaign developed by the Minnestota Christmas Tree Association and participate in a demonstration by Carol Payne as she presents the student education campaign the MCTA is taking to Michigan's youth.
3:30PM Program Concludes / Depart for Golf

Hotel Accommodations available at (prices shown do not reflect applicable taxes):

  1. Comfort Inn and Suites, 153 Ampey Road, Paw Paw (exit 60 off I-94), 269-655-0303.  Single/double $71.96 Thursday, $89.95 Friday.  Please mention the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.
  2. Baymont Inn and Suites, 2203 South 11th St., Kalamazoo (exit 36 off 131), 269-372-7999.  Single/double $75.  Please mention the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.
  3. Best Western Kalamazoo Suites, 2575 S. 11th St., Kalamazoo (exit 36 off 131), 269-350-5522.  Queen $79, King $89, Double Queen $99.  Please mention the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.
  4. Holiday Inn West Kalamazoo.  $96 single/double all nights.  Call 269-375-6000 and ask for the Michigan Christmas Tree Association group rate.

Golf Outing information:

  • Heritage Glen Golf Course, 29795 Heritage Lane, Paw Paw.  9 holes with cart, refreshments and prizes.  $35 per golfer.  Tee times begin at 4:00PM.