Checkoff Study Group Meets

The Checkoff Study Group met in St. Louis on April 14-15. The group discussed what they would like to see the Christmas Tree Industry look like five years from now and ways to make that happen.

They reviewed USDA requirements for a checkoff program, disscussed some options, and discussed ways of engaging the industry in the decision-making process. Ideas include:

• Making sure people know about and visit this web site
• Using an electronic survey to gather opinions about some issues
• Having sessions (presentations and opportunity for feedback) at industry meetings

If you have questions or suggestions, please e-mail them to helmsing@drakco.com.

Industry Task Force Formed

An Industry-wide task force has been formed to study whether a checkoff would be good for the Christmas tree industry, and if so, how might the program work. Task force members are:

• Betty Malone (chair), Sunrise Tree Farm, Oregon
• Cline Church, Cline Church Nursery, North Carolina
• Charles Fowler, Windy Gap Tree Farm, North Carolina
• Pat Gaskin, Laurel Springs Christmas Tree Farm, North Carolina
• Jim Heater, Silver Mountain Christmas Trees, Oregon
• Forrest Higgins, Higgins Family Christmas Trees, Massachusetts and Nova Scotia
• Paul Schroeder, North Countree Christmas, Wisconsin
• Steve Vander Weide, Dutchman Tree Farms, Michigan
• Beth Walterscheidt, Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees, Texas
• Drew Yenser, Yensers Tree Farm, Pennsylvania

Ex-officio Members include:

• Pam Helmsing, National Christmas Tree Association
• Linda Gragg, North Carolina Christmas Tree Association
• Marsha Gray, Michigan Christmas Tree Association
• Bryan Ostlund, Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association
• Irwin Loiterstein, Advisor
  

Questions and comments may be sent to helmsing@drakeco.com. Upon your request, they will be sent to all members of the task force.