JUNE 26-28, 2008
50th Anniversary Meeting
In Association with the New England Christmas Tree Alliance Biennial Conference
Ioka Valley Farm
Hancock, MA
Speakers, pesticide credits, agri-tourism -- all in a lovely valley minutes from Jiminy Peak in the Berkshires.

PROGRAM:

Thursday, June 26

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Complete setup; exhibitors arrive and setup

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

• Registration for early arrivals; information tent opens

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

• Visit with exhibitors, bull session, and pizza in exhibitor's tent

Friday, June 27 (Day 1)

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

• Check in/Registration.
• Enjoy the Leab Farm (by either an optional tour group or self-guided excursion).
• View Uncle Don's Barnyard, the sugaring operation, the strawberry fields, the blueberry bushes, and the Christmas trees. Take in the views and gardens.
• Juice, coffee, muffins, donuts, fruit.
• Visit with exhibitors.

10:00 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.

• Welcome – Introduction of Leab family; preview of today's program and location of activities.

10:10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

• The Leab Family – Their history and their transition in agriculture from dairy to the present Four Season Agribusiness of Ioka farm.

10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

• Eric Sundback, Renowned WVA Christmas Tree Grower, 3 Time National Grand Champion  – Christmas tree genetics and shearing techniques.
• Gloria Ellsworth, MCTA member, Workshop – Should I buy it or make it?

11.50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Announcements including afternoon speakers and locations.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Lunch & Trade Show - Buffet with a choice of roast beef, turkey, chicken or veggie sandwich or wrap with chips, apple or banana, cookie. (On site cash sale - $10.00)

1:05 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

• Dr. Richard Cowles, Associate Agricultural Scientist, Entomology Dept, CT Experiment Station – problems and controls of insects (Power point presentation on new research).

2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

• Howard Boyden, OESCO, INC representative – Calibration, maintenance and trouble shooting of spray equipment.
• Larry Eckhardt, Capital Area AG Consulting Service – Fertilizer and foliage testing trials.
• Gloria Ellsworth, Workshop – Wreath decorating: It is not just Red anymore.

3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Snack break in exhibitor tent

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

• Larry Eckhardt – Fertilizer and foliage testing trials.
• Howard Boyden – Calibration , maintenance, and trouble shooting of spray equipment.
• Gloria Ellsworth – Accessory Sales: Making it simple, interesting, saleable.

4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Exhibitor demonstrations, field demonstrations, shearing demonstrations, personal consultations by the experts, show and tell including use of tools. Various locations.

5:30 p.m.  - 6:30 p.m.

• Cheese and crackers in exhibitor tent.

6:30 p.m.

• Banquet Dinner – Samuel's  Deli and Catering (tickets required).
• Locally grown and raised food featuring Ioka grass-fed beef.
• Socialize. Recognize some key people in MCTA.

Saturday, June 28 (Day 2)

7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m.

• Ioka Valley Farm's Pancake Breakfast – This is their signature breakfast served family style featuring all you can eat homemade pancakes, waffles, French toast with their own pure maple syrup, applesauce, bacon, sausage. (Tickets required).

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

• Second seating for Ioka Valley Farm's Pancake Breakfast.

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

• Trade show opposite breakfast,

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

• State meetings NH/VT and MCTA.

9:30 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.

• Announcements, today's schedule.

9:40 a.m. - 11:00a.m.

• Duane Berkey, Berkey's Nursery, Spartansburg, PA – Genetics, nursery business, cultural practices of Christmas trees.
• Gloria Ellsworth, Workshop – S.W.A.G.S. – Simple Ways At Gaining Sales

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Dr. John Ahrens, Emeritus Plant Scientist, CT Experiment Station – Current herbicide practices.
• Ken Warchol, 6th generation beekeeper, apiary inspector, educational expert from Massachusetts – Bees – the life cycle of yellow jackets, hornets, wasps -nesting preference, procedures for control, clothing colors to wear to avoid their contact, and remedies for stings.
• Gloria Ellsworth, "Shop Talk": Round Table Open Forum to exchange ideas, successes and failures of accessory sales.
• Water, drinks, & fruit available in Exhibitor Tent.

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

• Exhibitors – Last call.
• Lunch: Choice of grinders, pickles, chips, fruit, cookies (on site cash sale-$10.00).

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Laura McDermott, Berry Extension Support Specialist in Eastern NY - Growing Berry Crops, a Christmas Tree Primer.
• Dr. Cheryl Smith, UNH Extension Professor and Plant Health Specialist - Diseases in Christmas trees which include topics on needle casts, diplodia, root rots, needle rusts, etc. and how to scout, diagnosis, and manage each disease.

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Gregory Ward and Donna Verones - Ward's Nursery and Garden Shop founded in 1957 and located in Great Barrington, MA is a horticultural nursery featuring a huge retail Christmas center.

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Wrap up, evaluations, 50/50 raffle, door prizes

5 Pesticide Credits
Agenda subject to minor alterations.

 FRIDAY - APRIL 24, 2009
Arbor Day
Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.