2020Christmas Tree Short Course

February 6 – 8, 2020 Toftrees Golf Resort, State College, PA

Conference Schedule

Thursday, February 6, 20204:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Mix & Mingle Heavy Hors d’ Oeuvres and Cash Bar

Dinner on your own

Friday, February 7, 2020 Breakfast on your own

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Welcome from PCTGA President

8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Scales in Christmas Trees – The Other Quarantined Pest Dr.JillSidebottom,AreaExtensionForestrySpecialist, NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtension

There are several pests that cause problems with shipping Christmas trees to other areas such as the gypsy moth and spotted lanternfly. In recent years, the elongate hemlock scale has caused shipping issues for North Carolina growers, but that’s not the only scale species that has been a problem. Learn the latest on issues with scales and Christmas trees as well as integrated pest management approaches to scale control.

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Proven Post-harvest Methods TravisBirdsell,ExtensionAgent,Agriculture,NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtension BradEdwards,ProgramAssistant,IPM,NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtension

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fertilization A to Z DuaneBerkey,Owner,Berkey’sNursery

Learn the basics of fertilization to achieve better trees from the first year of planting through harvest.

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Mail Order Christmas Trees GaryThomas,Winterfarm,LLC

This session will follow the mail order tree from online marketing and purchase through delivery. It will also document the condition and quality of the trees, as well as explore if this is a marketing tool that growers should promote for the industry. Gary will also explore how the grower supplies trees for mail order.

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Taking Your Award-Winning Tree to the White House LarrySnyder,MahantongoValleyFarms

Larry will share his experience winning the 2019 national tree contest and providing this year’s White House Christmas tree.

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Lunchonyourown

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Collecting Seed for Christmas Tree Growers in Turkey and Georgia ChalLandgren,ChristmasTreeSpecialistandProfessor,OregonStateUniversity

Turkey and the Republic of Georgia are not your typical tourist destinations. This presentation will be part travelogue and part tree selection discussion. Chal, along with others, collected Turkish and Trojan fir in Turkey in 2010 as part of the multi-institution CoFirGE project. In 2019, he was part of a Nordmann fir collection project in the Republic of Georgia funded by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board. Chal will discuss what we think we know and hope to learn from these collections.

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Best Chainsaw Maintenance Practices JeffBonds,President,SouthernForestryProducts,Inc.

Jeff will discuss tips on how to keep your chainsaw delivering the best cutting performance each and every time and to enjoy a long service life.

4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Break

4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Chemsweep – Waste Pesticide Disposal Program GennyChrist,ExtensionEducator,PennStatePesticideEducationProgram

This presentation will highlight the Chemsweep Program offered by the PA Department of Agriculture. Topics covered include: what causes lead to unwanted pesticide waste and materials; problems with improper pesticide storage (including environmental liability and health and safety-related concerns); history of the Chemsweep Program; who can participate, how can you participate and what type of products are collected; steps and procedures for participating in the Chemsweep Program; and what happens with the collected materials and who covers the cost.

FieldWatch – An Online Mapping Tool EmilyWeaver,ProjectAssistant,PennStatePesticideEducationProgram

This presentation will introduce the FieldWatch program which is now available in Pennsylvania. This program promotes the communication between beekeepers, crop producers, and pesticide applicators in support of ongoing stewardship activities. The presentation will discuss the benefits of accessing and making the most of this free program.

5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Christmas Tree Promotion Board – Report to the Industry MarshaGray,ExecutiveDirector,ChristmasTreePromotionBoard(CTPB)

Christmas Tree Promotion Board (CTPB) Executive Director Marsha Gray will present a compilation of the 2019 promotion campaign, as well as provide updates on research funded by the CTPB.

6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A Heavy Hors d’ Oeuvres and Cash Bar

Dinner on your own

Saturday, February 8, 2020 Breakfast on your own

7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Registration Open

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Production Practice History in the Pacific Northwest and Some Guesses on the Future ChalLandgren,ChristmasTreeSpecialistandProfessor,OregonStateUniversity

Oregon has been the #1 Christmas tree production state in the U.S. for many decades. How did it get there and how has Oregon stayed in that position? This presentation about Christmas tree production in the Pacific Northwest will be a look back to the 1950s and a look forward.

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. How Christmas Tree IPM Can Face the Challenges of the Next 20 Years Dr.JillSidebottom,AreaExtensionForestrySpecialist, NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtension

In North Carolina, Christmas tree growers deal with several more pests now than they did 30 years ago. Yet, they have reduced their pesticide use by 75%. That success was founded on integrated pest management principles. Learn how to use these same principles to overcome issues like climate change, pesticide resistance and regulation, and regulatory pests in the next 20 years.

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Christmas Tree Genetics DuaneBerkey,Owner,Berkey’sNursery

Find out why Christmas tree genetics are important and how they help you achieve better trees and better profits.

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Weed Management Practices for 2020 TravisBirdsell,ExtensionAgent,Agriculture,NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtension BradEdwards,ProgramAssistant,IPM,NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtension

12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Backpack Sprayer Basics and Calibration Methods JonJohnson,DirectorofPesticideEducation,PennStatePesticideEducationProgram

This presentation will describe sprayer parts that are critical for your application and possible modifications. Pesticide calibration is critical to the success of an application and the proper calibration steps will be discussed.

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. A Grower’s Perspective: My Season with the Spotted Lanternfly RickGeissler,GeisslerTreeFarms

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.

Hotel Information

Toftrees Golf ResortOne Country Club Lane, State College, PA 16803www.toftrees.com

PCTGA has negotiated discounted room rates for the days of the Christmas Tree Short Course, as well as three days before and three days after the meeting based on availability. The reservation deadline is January 31, 2020. 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.

Room Rate: $89 (plusapplicabletaxesandfees)

2020 Christmas Tree Short Course Registration FormFebruary 6 – 8, 2020, Toftrees Golf Resort, State College, PA

Registration and Cancellation deadline is January 27, 2020

Cancellations must be received in writing on or before the deadline to receive a refund, less a $25 administrative service fee plus any processing fees.

Please complete both pages of this form. To register more than 5 attendees, contact the PCTGA office. If you are bringing children to the meeting, please include them on page 2 of this form where indicated. There is no charge for children age 12 and under.

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

PAYMENT INFORMATION TOTAL DUE:

□ Check (made payable to PCTGA) □ Visa □MasterCard □ Discover

Card Number: Exp. Date: Security Code:

Name on Card (please print):

Signature:

Billing Address (if different than above):

CONTACT INFORMATION

Farm/Business Name:

Main Contact Name:

Street Address:

City: State: Zip:

Main Phone/Cell: Email:

If you are registering as a member of a Neighboring Christmas Tree Association, please list the association here:

DAY ONLY REGISTRATION (Friday or Saturday)

□ PCTGA/Neighboring Christmas Tree Association Member: $190 # of Attendees: Total: $

□ Non-Member: $205 # of Attendees: Total: $

SPOUSE/COMPANION REGISTRATION □ $125 (meals only, education sessions are not included) # of Attendees: Total: $

FULL REGISTRATION (includes all meals and education sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

PCTGA/Neighboring Christmas Tree Association Member: □ 1 Attendee: $240 □ 2 Attendees: $440 □ 3 Attendees: $590 □ 4 Attendees: $740 □ 5 Attendees: $890

(save $40) (save $130) (save $220) (save $310)

□ Non-Member: $300 # of Attendees: Total: $

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

2020 Christmas Tree Short Course Registration FormFebruary 6 – 8, 2020, Toftrees Golf Resort, State College, PA

Complete the information for all attendees. Please contact the PCTGA office if any attendees have special dietary needs or require special accommodations to participate.

Farm/Business Name:

Attendee 1: □ Full Registration □ Friday Only □ Saturday Only □ Spouse/Companion Name (as it should appear on badge): Main Phone/Cell: Email: Emergency Contact Information Name of Non-Attending Contact: Main Phone/Cell:

Attendee 2: □ Full Registration □ Friday Only □ Saturday Only □ Spouse/Companion Name (as it should appear on badge): Main Phone/Cell: Email: Emergency Contact Information Name of Non-Attending Contact: Main Phone/Cell:

Attendee 3: □ Full Registration □ Friday Only □ Saturday Only □ Spouse/Companion Name (as it should appear on badge): Main Phone/Cell: Email: Emergency Contact Information Name of Non-Attending Contact: Main Phone/Cell:

Attendee 4: □ Full Registration □ Friday Only □ Saturday Only □ Spouse/Companion Name (as it should appear on badge): Main Phone/Cell: Email: Emergency Contact Information Name of Non-Attending Contact: Main Phone/Cell:

Attendee 5: □ Full Registration □ Friday Only □ Saturday Only □ Spouse/Companion Name (as it should appear on badge): Main Phone/Cell: Email: Emergency Contact Information Name of Non-Attending Contact: Main Phone/Cell:

Children If you will be bringing children 12 and under, please list their names below (there is no charge). Child Name: Child Name: