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2008 Winter Meeting - Perspectives on
Producing Christmas Trees
"Comfort Inn, Mount Pleasant, MI
Friday, March 7 - Saturday, March 8
Click here
to download registration materials.
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Friday |
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1:00 PM |
Registration Open |
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2:00 - 3:00 PM |
"Shearing to Meet Growers' Needs"
with Larry Downey, Downey Nursery. Larry will
look at the history of trimming and today's trends.
He will address and simplify the trimming of Frasers and
Balsams as well as the importance of the seed source and
how it impacts trimming. |
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3:00 - 4:00 PM |
"Strategic Futuring" with Mary
Robb, MSU Extension Director from Muskegon County.
Mary will review the outcomes from MCTA's January
Strategic Futuring event and explore future directions
for the association and Michigan's Christmas tree
industry. |
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4:00 - 6:00 PM |
Exhibitor Reception |
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6:00 PM |
Banquet and Awards
- Presentation of 2008 Hall of Fame Awards and 2007
Holiday Media Overview. |
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7:30 PM |
Wholesale Grower Meeting and Choose & Cut Grower Meeting -
Each meeting will give growers an opportunity to share
their experiences of the past harvest season as well as
discuss industry issues. |
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Saturday |
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7:30 AM |
Registration and
Exhibits Open, Coffee and Morning Refreshments sponsored
by Helena Chemical Company |
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9:00 AM |
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10:00 AM |
Morning Break |
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10:30 AM |
"Tax Abatement Opportunities for
Agricultural Land" with Brad Neumann, Land Policy
Educator, MSU Extension. Programs for agricultural
landowners will be detailed, including Farmland
Development Rights Agreements, Agricultural "Pop-up Tax"
Exemption, and tax benefits of conservation easements.
Learn about each program's particular type of tax
relief, required forms and contacts and resources for
assisting with enrollment. |
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10:30 AM Auxiliary
Program |
"Digital Photography Tips for
Everyone" Do you ever get frustrated by poor quality
photos or get that "in over your head" feeling when
trying to get good photo results? MCTA member and
photographer, Lou Waldock, will share practical tips for
taking great digital photos and how these photos can be
successfully imported into your website. |
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11:15 PM |
MCTA Annual Meeting
and National Update - General update and
announcement of new MCTA board members, as well as NCTA
updates. |
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1:00 PM |
“Research Updates”
MSU researchers report on on-going Christmas tree
research.
Dr.
Bert Cregg: Pot-in-Pot Christmas tree production; Dr.
David Rothstein: Tree needle biomass components; Dr.
Pascal Nzokou: Fraser Fir Irrigation Study |
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1:00 - 2:00 PM
Auxiliary Program |
“Santa’s Secrets”
Tom and
Holly Valent, owners of the Charles W. Howard Santa
School, the country’s oldest Santa school, will share
information and stories about their school as well as
present success tips for your farm’s Santa!
(speakers not confirmed at this time) |
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2:00 - 2:30 |
Break in Exhibit Hall |
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2:30 - 3:30 PM |
“How
Soil Life Impacts Plant Growth”
with Dr. George W.
Bird, Dept. of Entomology, MSU. Dr. Bird’s
presentation includes a brief video illustrating the
types of organisms that live in the soil and how they
interact with each other. He will then describe how
these interactions impact plant growth and soil quality,
and conclude with tips on how to obtain and maintain the
high quality soil necessary for successful plant growth. |
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2:30 - 3:30 PM
Auxiliary Program |
“Success with Add-On Sales”
Many choose &
cut Christmas tree farms are finding success with add on
sales. Wreaths are the most common “add-on,” however
creative farm owners are also capitalizing on the demand
for other Christmas decoratives, such as basket
arrangements, greens bundles, kissing balls and more.
This is an interactive session, so bring photos or
examples of your best “add-ons.” |
Friday Reception and Banquet - Convention
attendees will join exhibitor for light refreshments at a reception from 4:00 to
6:00 PM, followed by the Annual Banquet. Banquet Menu includes a choice of
Tuscan Chicken with Wild Mushrooms and Marsala Demi-Glace or Baked Salmon.
Hotel Accommodations available at The Comfort
Inn. For room reservations, call (989) 772-4000. Rooms are $99 for
single/double. Early reservations are recommended to insure room
availability.
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