VCTGA Spring 2016 News Journal

Inside this Issue: A Funny Thing Happened – 2 President’s Message – 3 Spring Board Meeting ‒ 4 Pumpkins – Good or Bad Idea? – 7 NCTA Offers New Membership Options – 8 NCTA Major Downsizing ‒ 10 Tree Promotion Milestones ‒ 11 Tree Promotion 1st Season ‒ 12 Tree Promotion Board ‒ 13 Obituary – Paul Revell ‒ 15 Add Charm to Your Farm ‒ 16 VCTGA Annual Meeting

Volume 6, Issue 2

Spring 2016

National Christmas Tree Association Downsizes Christmas Tree Promotion Board Finishes 1st Year Pollinators vs. Neonics???

& Conference Preview – 17 Legislative Updates − 18 Synopsis of Neonics vs Bee – 19 VDACS Pollinator Listening Session Summary – 22 Trees 4 Troops – 23 Are You on Facebook? – 23

Advertisers Alpha Nurseries – 5 Bosch’s Countryview Nursery – 9 Tree Teck – 10 Tim Mitchell’s Yule Stand System ‒ 13 Riverside Enterprises ‒ 15 Merry & Bright ‒ 17 Kelco ‒ 23

SAVE THE DATE! August 4-6, 2016 VCTGA Annual Meeting & Conference Staunton, Virginia

A

A Funny Thing Happened!

Funny Happened!

Thing Happened!

FunnyAThing Contributing and Coordinating Editors Contributing and Coordinating Editors

Selecting THE tree for the Governor's Mansion Selecting THE tree As mostfor ofthe you know, each year I camGovernor's Mansion

paign for VCTGA members to enter As most know,contests. each yearTo I camthe tree of andyou wreath enpaign forparticipation VCTGA members to numenter courage and boost the tree contests. enbers I’veand evenwreath entered myself.To I cercourage participation and boost numtainly understand anyone’s reluctance bers entered myself. tree I certo cutI’ve andeven deliver a Christmas in tainly understand anyone’s reluctance August to be reviewed by fellow growto cut and deliver a Christmas tree in ers.

August to be reviewed by fellow growWell, I got caught in my own trap; I ers. had the winning tree at the Roanoke Well, I got in my own trap; meeting.

I’ll caught be the first to admit, I wasI hadexcited the winning treeprospects at the Roanoke not about the of drivmeeting.

I’ll be the to admit, I wasI ing a Christmas treefirst to the governor. not excited the possible prospectsproblem of drivmulled overabout every ing a Christmas tree to the thought governor. of.I detail anyone could have mulled over every possible problem detail anyone could have thought of.

The final destination in the Governor's Mansion The final destination As the inimportant day Mansion neared I was the Governor's

ready. Encouragement from friends, As the important day neared was information and assistance from IRichready.and Encouragement from friends, mond past winners, location of the information andand assistance from Rich“perfect tree” amazing positive mond andfrom past winners, location ofand the feedback friends, neighbors “perfect and amazing gave positive the local tree” news organizations me feedback friends, neighbors the energyfrom and push I had needed. and the local news organizations gave me the energy and push I had needed.

2 |

Close up of Decorated Tree

Thanks Close to theupmedia and great of Decorated Treeweather on the weekends my small chose and Thanks to thereally media great weather cut business gotand a boost. on the weekends my small chose and The big day (Monday following cut business really got a boost.

Thanksgiving) finally arrived and three The bigFloyd day countians (Mondaywere following nervous at the Thanksgiving) finally arrived and three governor’s doorstep. It was an amazing nervousa Floyd countians were the event, reception with lots of at photo governor’s doorstep. It was an amazing opportunities. event, a reception with lots of photo The Governor and First Lady were opportunities. very hospitable, kind and sincere in The Governor Firstday Lady werea every way. It wasand a great for me, and sincere in very hospitable, rewarding kind experience.

I was every way. a great day me, a proud to beItawas Christmas treefor grower, very rewarding experience. was proud of my Virginia ChristmasI Tree proud to beassociation a Christmas membership, tree grower, Growers Virginia Christmas Tree proud of my employees and proud of Growers association membership, my farm. Thanks to everyone who supproud of employees and proud of ported memy in this adventure. my farm. Thanks to everyone who supThis year I will be campaigning even ported me in this adventure. harder for members to enter the conThis year I will be campaigning even tests. harder for members to enter the conRobert O’Keeffe, Rifton Tree Farm and tests.

Nursery, rifton@swva.net Robert O’Keeffe, Rifton Tree Farm and {Editor’s Note: rifton@swva.net We missed getting this Nursery, in the last issue of the News Journal] {Editor’s Note: We missed getting this in the last issue of the News Journal]

Spring 2016

Membership Paris Rasnic Membership Technical Support Paris Rasnic & Production JohnTechnical Carroll &Support Kyle Peer & Production Mount Rogers Report John Carroll & Kyle Peer Jackie Davis, President, MRCTGA Mount Rogers Report Pathology & Disease Jackie Davis, President, MRCTGA Norman Dart Pathology & Disease Pests Norman Dart Eric Day Pests VDACS Support & Updates Eric Day Danny Neel VDACS Support & Updates Dave Robishaw Danny Neel Marketing, Promotion, Dave Robishaw & Social Media Marketing, Promotion, Sue Bostic & Social Media Grant Updates Sue Bostic Greg Lemmer Grant Updates Editor in Chief - Jeff Miller Greg Lemmer Virginia Christmas Editor in Chief - Jeff Miller Tree Growers Association Inc. Virginia Christmas 383 Coal Hollow Rd Tree Growers Association Inc. Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Virginia Christmas Tree 383 Coal Hollow Rd Growers Association PH: 540-382-7310Inc. Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Fax: 540-382-2716 383 Coal Hollow Rd. PH: 540-382-7310 secretary@VirginiaChristChristiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Fax: 540-382-2716 masTrees.org PH: 540-382-7310 secretary@VirginiaChristwww.VirginiaChristmasTreees.org Fax:masTrees.org 540-382-2716 www.VirginiaChristmasTreees.org secretary@VirginiaChristmasTrees.org www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org

VCTGA News Journal

John and Virginia Carroll along with Kyle Peer have taken on the task of planning this summer’s meeting and I am certain they will welcome any suggestions.

From the President

After our busy Christmas season, we again take a moment to measure our progress and review the successes our members have reported. Jeff and Sandy Miller have tabulated the results of the Christmas 2015 survey.

We are delighted that the number of farms participating in the survey increased.

General comments that accompanied the surveys included:    

Measuring Up

On March 9, 2016, your Board of Directors met in Waynesboro and begin planning in earnest for our summer meeting.

We will return to a familiar format and will began with a board meeting late Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center in Staunton. Next on the schedule will be two full days of presentations, workshops, fellowship and attending to the business of the association. And Saturday morning, we are planning a tour of the historic McCormick farm, 15 miles south of Staunton.

Please make your plans to meet in Staunton, enter your trees and wreaths in the contests, learn from our experts, meet our vendors and get reacquainted with the other members of the Association.

VCTGA News Journal

“Good year for choose and cut.”

“Business increasing.”

“Most customers found us on the internet, only two via the state fair.”

“Numerous (customers) mentioned our website.”

The surveys are not terribly scientific and include a great number of variables. Copies can be made available upon request.

Wrapping up our Directors’ meeting, we discussed the changes occurring at NCTA and how VCTGA should fit into the new picture. We speculated on the evolving relationship between NCTA and the Check-Off Board.

We welcome this important discussion while in Staunton this summer and can only anticipate what it may mean to the members of VCTGA. But one thing we all agree on, now is the time for strong leadership on our board and all Board vacancies need to be filled.

Won’t you consider service to our Association?

Greg Lemmer, VCTGA President, 2016

More specifically, the following results were tabulated: For Christmas 2015, those responding reported: 775,630 trees in production, 84,710 trees sold wholesale, 4,085 sold off-farm retail, and 17,302 trees sold Choose & Cut. We sold 4,116 wreaths and 16,615 feet of roping to 22,857 retail and 73 wholesale customers.

The cost to shear 500 trees, age 4, was estimated at $237 and 500 trees, age 8, at $374.

The wholesale price for a #1 Fraser fir averaged $26 and the #2 Fraser fir averaged $22 on the wholesale market.

An equal number of members reported sales either up or constant when compared to 2014 while one member reported declining sales.

Save the Date!

August 4-6, 2016 Annual Summer Conference & Workshop Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton, VA See more details on page 17

Spring 2016

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Thanks Letter Thank you for your $500 sponsorship of the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course. Your sponsorship helps procure knowledgeable speakers to present outstanding educational programs that offer attendees necessary continuing education units.

Your presence gives credence towards the professional support given to the MAHSC. Sincerely, Bruce Leuthold, President info@vahort.org, www.vahort.org

Notes from the VCTGA Spring Board Meeting 10 AM, Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Waynesboro, VA 22980

10 AM: Call to Order by President Greg Lemmer with the following present: Paris Rasnic, David Robishaw, John Houston, Robert O’Keeffe, Jeff Gregson, Kyle Peer, Hank Green, Danny Neel, Virginia Carroll and Jeff Miller.

Approval of Minutes – A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on October 27, 2015, seconded and passed.

Reports Financial - Jeff Miller reviewed the year-end Balance Sheet and P&L Sheet compared to the same period in 2014. The VCTGA re-ordered the care/sales tree tags this fall, but sales to members was lower this year. The Farmers Direct Marketing Association is dissolving, which the VCTGA was a member, and they donated $200 to the VCTGA to use towards marketing.

Grant Status – Jeff Miller distributed a spreadsheet of the USDA/VDACS Specialty Grant #4 with the balances spent-to-date and available balances. This is the 4th grant and the funds must be utilized 4 |

by the close of the grant in October 2016. Grant #3 was closed out last fall with $2,798 unused. Since 2010, the VCTGA has received $96,904 in four separate USDA Specialty Crop grants. The funds have been used for major upgrades to the website, speaker expenses, meeting rooms, marketing materials, signage, displays and brochures for members to use promoting the theme of “Experience a Real Tree”, exhibits for 10 days at the last 5 State Fairs with other agricultural commodities, at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in Baltimore for the last 4 years, as well as other regional shows around the state promoting “real Christmas trees”. Jeff noted that he had setup and staffed the VCTGA exhibit in January at the Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course in Virginia Beach and in February at the Piedmont Landscape Association Conference in Charlottesville.

Membership – Jeff Miller reported that the current paid membership is 72 and 14 not paid yet. A reminder mailing will be made with follow up calls. It was the consensus of the board that the Jeff would divide up the list of potential members and send to the board members to contact potential members in their area and invite them to the VCTGA Annual Conference and explain the benefits of the VCTGA. A membership benefits list was discussed, in addition to the benefits listed on the website at http://www.virginiachristmastrees.org/benefits/ including:    

Networking at meetings Extension reports on pest issues and IPM Social media updates “Experience a Real Tree” campaign and “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” marketing by VDACS

Survey results – Greg Lemmer reviewed the production/sales survey results for the 2015 year-end which were up over the 2013 and 2014 survey totals. Most of the respondents noted that most of their new customers found them through the internet using the VCTGA mobile-friendly locator, member websites, Facebook and other social media.

Scholarships – Robert O’Keeffe reported that scholarship information had been sent out announcing the deadline for the two $1,000 VCTGA 2016 scholarships.

VCTGA News Journal – Jeff noted that the deadline for the Spring VCTGA News Journal is March 15.

He requested suggestions for articles, member profiles and potential advertisers for the member publication.

Starting with the Winter 2016 issue, four-color printing is available on all the pages at no additional cost to the association.

Trees For Troops – there was a discussion that we have been getting less tree donors each year to furnish the same 200 trees. This project may have run its course, especially since out troop deployment situation is very different now that when it was first started as a very noble project.

There were only 3 donors this year, Rifton Farms and Nursery, Joe’s Tree Farm and Willow Springs Tree Farms where the trees were collected and loaded on FedEx trailers.

Annual Meeting, August 3-6, 2016, Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, Staunton, VA. Format – Greg Lemmer reviewed the format of the meeting which would start on Wednesday evening with the VCTGA Board Meeting and dinner, including spouses. The Conference program will be on Thursday and Friday with a tour on Saturday.

New memberships – There is one new member so far for 2016.

Spring 2016

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

 

Tree and Wreath Contest Robert O’Keeffe will coordinate the contest again this year.

Program, Keynote Speaker, Awards, Banquet and Continuing Education will be coordinated by John and Virginia Carroll and Kyle Peer.

Workshops – a wreath-making workshop will be will be coordinated by John Houston and Janet Lemmer will assist with making centerpieces.

Scholarship Auction – Danny Neel will serve as auctioneer again.

Farm Tour – Kyle Peer will check about having it at the Virginia Tech McCormick Farm at Steele’s Tavern, south of Staunton.

Board Education – Greg Lemmer and Jeff Miller reviewed the Volunteer Leadership magazine, “The best leaders spark action that drives the mission”, that had been sent to board members to review before the meeting. The topics included:  The Board’s Duty of Foresight  Step by Step – moving up the leadership ladder  Debate Done Right  Leader to Leader: What inspired you to volunteer for your association? 

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Board Primer – Your responsibilities  PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: What board work will do for you  CEO SEARCH: Make the best possible hiring decision  LEGAL: Your duties and potential pitfalls.  FINANCE: Navigate nonprofit financial statements.

Put what's most important first.  AGENDAS: Put what’s most important first

     

  

STRATEGY: A strategic planning process that works.

STAFF RELATIONS: Be a leader, not a manager.

ADVOCACY: Your key role in driving legislative change.

INSURANCE: Is your association covered? Are you?

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Let all voices be heard.

GLOBALIZATION: Bridge culture gaps among leaders. Bedrock principles for trust.

ETHICS: Bedrock principles for trust GROUP DYNAMICS: Disagree the right way.

CEO EVALUATION: Managing performance is more than just numbers.

The Future direction of the VCTGA was discussed and things to consider for the short term and long term:  Finding board members and officers by the August Meeting o President (term expires this year) and filling the Vice President position  Working with other related organizations on joint events/meetings  Direction of the VCTGA when the grant funds are expended  How to bridge the natural division between wholesale growers and choose-and-cut growers?  Impact of the down-sizing of the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) It was the consensus that Greg Lemmer will appoint a search committee.

Marketing Events for 2016/17 State Fair of Virginia – there was a discussion of the pros and cons of the VCTGA exhibiting at the Fair and the consensus that it was a good marketing venue for the VCTGA and was good for supporting Virginia Agriculture. A motion was made to exhibit again in 2016 at the State Fair of Virginia, seconded and passed.

MANTS – Danny Neel and David Robishaw, VDACS marketing, have staffed the exhibit each year, reported that they have been able to distribute VCTGA information and to make a lot of positive contacts. There are over 1,000 vendors and over 10,000 attendees. Most of the contacts are looking for greens, tips and wreath sources.

They provided a list of potential contacts for Virginia grown trees. Jeff Miller will check to see if some of the grant fund categories can be adjusted to cover booth expenses at the 2017 MANTS show, January 13-17, 2017.

2:10 p.m. Adjourn Respectively submitted, Jeff Miller, Executive Director

Save the Date!

August 4-6, 2016 Annual Summer Conference & Workshop Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton, VA See more details on page 17

Spring 2016

VCTGA News Journal

Pumpkins Good or Idea?

Pumpkins – –Good orBad Bad Idea? about solely running a Christmas tree farm, I was told that I was compromising my resolution by wanting to grow pumpkins, so I felt that I had to list the reasons why pumpkins compliment rather than conflict with the small scale tree farm.

Agritourism is growing more and more popular, making a choose and cut farm more than a point of sale, rather a family event. I might even say that I’m not even in the tree business but rather the holiday, family fun, pick-your-own, choose-and-cut, ornamental, agritourism business!

2015 - I went to the Virginia Pumpkin Growers Association’s annual meeting and got some really good insights on production techniques and recommendations for good varieties to plant. The easiest method for me was a no till planting, and a mildew resistant seed source.

John Houston, Sweet Providence Farm

Sometimes a good idea is in disguise as a waste of time, or even as a bad idea.

Often when somebody first buys their farm they will go through what I call the “Old McDonald” stage, with the excitement of owning any land at all they say “we like fresh vegetables so let’s grow a garden, we like fresh eggs so let’s get chickens and the list goes on, a milk cow, a pumpkin patch, pigs, beef cows, and of course Christmas trees. You also read material that goes like “grow this or that because it’s easy and profitable!” In reality most people ought to remember the old saying “to make a small fortune farming you will need to start with a large fortune”.

Upon our surviving the Old McDonald stage and still striving to make that “small fortune” farming, we realized that it makes sense to only do one of those categories really well than to be over diversified.

Christmas trees is our niche, being the only thing that ever paid its way, we decided to get rid of everything else. With my being so adamant VCTGA News Journal

Pumpkins are an annual so you have the option of expanding or downsizing your crop based on the previous year’s sales.

Pumpkins are a holiday ornamental like Christmas trees, making it simple in your customer's mind the goods you provide.

Pumpkin sales help you get new and potential tree customers, being a little over month that you would sell them a tree, it’s ideal time for your pumpkin customer to plan on doing business with you for Christmas, I even called my pumpkin patch my Christmas tree marketing campaign. Think of this, you sell some passerby a fivedollar pumpkin and giving them some promotional material and the next month, they are back to buy a fifty dollar Christmas tree. That’s a pretty good investment in my mind.

Spring 2016

Pumpkin rows on hillside with grass strips between

I got decent yield despite some of my shortcomings. I did not put in any irrigation and last summer we had a dry summer making the fruit size smaller but the on the good side the disease was easier to manage as well as the fruit being cleaner. I did not plant some of my varieties dense enough, so late summer weed control was more intense, not to mention dealing with a certain roundup resistant weed called pigweed.

We were lucky to be spared by the deer somewhat, but apparently tree farms are shelterous to rodents and I had a lot of culls from rodent bites on the fruit.

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I used a hand sprayer on my oneacre pumpkin patch, for the little bit of fungicide and insecticide I did use, but it was too labor intensive in any event, since a small boom sprayer is fairly affordable.

Despite my learning as I go technique, pumpkin growing still turned out well last year, granted there are a lot of other ways to do it based what works best in your situation.

I know it’s easy to overemphasize the producing side and neglect the finding a market for your goods. At the mall where we sell Christmas trees we set up a lease for our selling pumpkins. The high visibility along with high traffic is really the main advantage there. To begin a agritourism appeal back at the farm, we put in a small patch beside the main highway and we did the pick-your-own operation on Saturdays.

Business did well enough that I had to buy more pumpkins to supplement towards the end of the season, but even for the first year, it was barely good enough to sustain itself as its own enterprise. However, we were acquiring tree customers! For us, we had so many new customers that said “we got a pumpkin from ya’ll and thought we ought to come back for a tree!”

John Houston, Sweet Providence Farm, Floyd, VA

NCTA Offers New Membership Options for 2016!

The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) membership categories have been changed to adapt to the 8 VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016 |

state of the industry and the evolving role of NCTA with the new checkoff organization starting. The new membership options are available now for the membership term that begins January 1, 2016.

Nobody likes change, so why the change?

In early 2014, the Executive Committee held a full-day visioning session at the National Headquarters to discuss the future of the National Christmas Tree Association and how the new checkoff organization might affect its members, future programs and revenues.

One of the first actions taken by the Executive Committee was to survey the membership to establish the current climate. The results of that survey were very enlightening and would help guide future plans for the association.

From the member survey, 93% of respondents rated “voice of the industry with media, consumers and fire code groups” as the most important thing NCTA does for them.

The leadership then created a vision and plan to stabilize NCTA and ensure the association would remain a sustainable, relevant voice and resource for the industry. The goal was not purely survival, but to position NCTA as valuable and desirable among the various businesses in the Christmas tree industry. One key item that was discussed was NCTA’s membership model.

The NCTA Board appointed a Task Force following that visioning session to begin reviewing NCTA’s structure and its role in serving members and the industry once the checkoff was initiated. The goals set forth by the Task Force were to: Make membership (levels, dues, benefits) in NCTA simpler and easier to understand, and more equitable among various business types.

Spring 2016

Look at the costs of providing benefits, along with the cost of doing business as an association (what some would call “overhead”) and base levels of membership on those costs.

Envision how to make NCTA sustainable once the checkoff, and it’s per tree payment formula, was in place.

NCTA’s mission and vision remains the same It’s important to remember that while the checkoff board is beginning its initiatives, there is still a need to have NCTA fulfill its role as the voice of the industry. NCTA's mission is to protect and advocate for the farmgrown Christmas tree industry. It is the one entity most-capable of doing that on behalf of ALL businesses in this industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small choose and cut farm, a large wholesale farm, a wholesaler/distributor or a multi-lot retail business. It doesn’t matter what species of trees you grow and sell or where you’re located. When NCTA is functioning and achieving its mission of advocacy and protection, everyone benefits.

A New Structure Approved for 2016 The Task Force submitted a proposal to the Board in early 2015 which outlined a new membership structure based on the Task Force’s goals and prior research. The new membership structure was approved by the Board of Directors in July 2015. The new membership options and dues amounts are outlined below and can also be found on the NCTA website.

The membership term will remain the same, January 1 – December 31.

This new membership model offers fewer options and a simpler membership application process with less variables. There is no longer a “Per Tree Formula” as a part of your dues payment – all dues amounts are set, VCTGA NewsPage 8 Journal

no matter how many trees you sell.

Now, members will choose their membership level based on how involved they want to be with the national association and what types of information they want to receive.

Previously, the membership structure was based on the type of business a member had and the number of trees sold.

New NCTA Membership Options for 2016:      

Introductory Member - $99 Industry Member - $299 Professional Member - $599 + Advocacy Sponsorship**more on the Advocacy Sponsorship below Other membership options will include: Supplier - $433 Researcher - Free with a .gov or .edu email address

To view the specific benefits for each of the new member types, visit the NCTA website.

issues, labor/immigration, import/export, hard goods, regulatory issues, and others.

Advocacy Sponsorship

However, some businesses may have a stronger interest in following, investigating and advocating for issues that can positively or negatively impact businesses in the industry. These businesses are more likely to join NCTA at the Professional level and contribute to the Issues Advocacy Fund.

All NCTA members are encouraged and welcome to contribute a sponsorship of the Issues Advocacy Fund, which ensures NCTA is on the front lines of issues affecting the industry.

But, for those wishing to join NCTA at the Professional level, members are expected to contribute a minimum of a $100 Advocacy Sponsorship.

What is the sponsorship for?

NCTA's mission is to protect and advocate for the farm-grown Christmas tree industry. NCTA is the one entity most-capable of doing that on behalf of ALL businesses in this industry.

Issues that are of interest to NCTA may include: fire codes, legislative

What do Advocacy Sponsors get?

At the Professional level, you will have access to the new, staff-facilitated discussion forums, where you can network with other Professionallevel business leaders about the issues that matter to you. These forums may be simple email blasts, online discussion forums, conference calls, web meetings, or even in-person meetings at events. The forum used

Ad – Bosch’s Countryview Nursery 10785 84th Avenue • Allendale, Michigan 49401 Phone: (616) 892-4090 • Fax: (616) 892-4290 Email: brian@boschsnursery.com www.boschsnursery.com

Wholesale Price List for

Quality Seedlings & Transplants Age

Size

Per 100 Rate

Per 1,000 Rate

Age

Size

Per 100 Rate

Per 1,000 Rate

FRASER FIR (2-2, PL+2) 8-15” $110.00 $750.00 (3-2, PL+2) 10-18” $115.00 $775.00 (P+2, P+3) 12-22” $125.00 $850.00

WHITE SPRUCE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $40.00 $175.00 (2-1, 2-2) 15-20” $90.00 $595.00 (2-2) 15-24” $110.00 $750.00

BALSAM FIR (P+1) 8-14” $86.00 $575.00 (P+2) 10-18” $110.00 $750.00 (P+2, P+3) 12-22” $115.00 $795.00

NORWAY SPRUCE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $40.00 $175.00 (2-1, 2-2) 15-24” $90.00 $650.00 (2-2) 15-24” $110.00 $750.00 (X-LG) 20-30” $250.00 XXX

CANAAN FIR (P+1) 8-14” $90.00 $595.00 (P+2) 10-18” $115.00 $795.00 (P+2, P+3) 12-22” $125.00 $850.00 DOUGLAS FIR - Lincoln (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” (2-1) 12-18”

$40.00 $175.00 $86.00 $575.00

CONCOLOR FIR (2-0) 5-12” $45.00 $225.00 (2-1, P+1) 8-14” $90.00 $595.00 (2-2, P+2) 10-18” $115.00 $795.00

COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE - San Juan & Kiabab (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $40.00 $175.00 (2-1, 2-2) 10-16” $82.00 $550.00 (2-2, P+2) 10-18” $110.00 $750.00 (P+2, P+3) 12-22” $115.00 $795.00

Ad_1_BW.indd 1 VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016

VCTGA News Journal

BLACKHILL SPRUCE (2-0) 5-12” (2-1) 6-12” (2-2) 12-18” (X-LG) 15-24”

$40.00 $175.00 $75.00 $495.00 $110.00 $750.00 $250.00 XXX

SERBIAN SPRUCE (2-0) 8-14” $45.00 $225.00 (2-1, P+1) 8-15” $90.00 $595.00 (2-2, P+2) 12-18” $115.00 $795.00 AUSTRIAN PINE (2-0) 6-12”

$40.00 $175.00

RED PINE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 6-14”

$45.00 $225.00

Spring 2016

Age

Size

Per 100 Rate

Per 1,000 Rate

WHITE PINE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 6-14” $45.00 $225.00 (2-1) 8-14” $82.00 $550.00 (2-2) 12-18” $110.00 $750.00 (X-LG) 18-24” $250.00 XXX SCOTCH PINE - Scothighland + French (2-0) 6-12” $35.00 $165.00 (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $40.00 $175.00 WHITE CEDAR (2-0) (3-0) (2-1) (2-2)

4-8” 8-15” 8-15” 12-18”

$40.00 $60.00 $82.00 $110.00

$195.00 $295.00 $550.00 $750.00

ARBORvITAE - DARK GREEN, TECHNY, EMERALD & GREEN GIANT (RC+1) 6-12” $125.00 $850.00 (RC+2) 12-18” $165.00 $1,100.00 Discount on orders over 10,000 plants For complete list please write or call us.

Brian Bosch / Owner

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7/9/13 11:01 AM

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will be dictated by the topic/issue and the number of people involved with it.

But most importantly, with an Advocacy Sponsorship, NCTA will be able to continue funding the efforts to protect the industry from threats and advocate for issues that help members run profitable businesses growing and selling Christmas trees.

Thank you for your continued support of the national association. Together, we can make the farm-grown Christmas tree industry stronger.

National Christmas Tree Association Major Downsizing

I hope you are all doing well and nicely recovered from a great 2015 Christmas season. I am writing to you today to make you aware of a few significant issues affecting NCTA as well as provide you with a call to action.

As you are probably aware, NCTA has been struggling over the last several years with both declining membership and conference attendance, to the point where we had to suspend holding an Annual Meeting altogether. On membership, NCTA is down from 1,261 members in 2005 to under 350 today, an over 70% reduction. As you can imagine, these trends have had a significant financial impact to the NCTA causing several years of deficit budgets and cost cutting measures.

Given the current environment, the NCTA Executive Committee, has asked AMR, our association management company, to present options for cutting expenses, including reduced services, to help maintain a positive cash flow and stay solvent through 2016.

10 | VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016

Last night, Monday, February 29, the Executive Committee accepted AMR’s proposal to reduce their management by over $100,000 (greater than 50% of the current management fee). Unfortunately, in order to offer this new arrangement, the NCTA Executive Director position has been eliminated and Rick Dungey will no longer be supporting NCTA effective Friday, March 11. Rick is a long time NCTA staff member and we will greatly miss his efforts on NCTA’s behalf. We wish Rick the best as he moves forward in his career.

you to promote NCTA membership in your states by making a personal outreach to the members of your state associations. In the coming days we will send you an email/letter template you can use to send to your local state/regional members, urging them to join NCTA. Additionally, as you know we revised our membership structure for 2016 which you can review in detail here.

Please be on the lookout for an email Call to Action for each of you to help recruit members in your state. We need a national voice for the Christmas Tree industry and we need your help to make sure we keep it. Feel free to call me if you’d like to discuss anything further. Thanks for your support.

Lauren Mangnall, who has served on the NCTA team for several years Sincerely, Tom Dull, NCTA President, and who currently serves as the - Dull's Tree Farm/ Stone Cabin Inn, Christmas Spirit Foundation Execu1765 W Blubaugh Ave., Thorntown, IN tive Director, will transition in as the 46071, 765-325-2418, NCTA Association Manager and will www.dullstreefarm.com , handle day to day responsibilidulltree@gmail.com ties. With this change, NCTA staff will be providing basic day to day responsibilAd – Tree Teck ities for NCTA, but will not be leading and directing protection, promotion, and advocacy efforts. We will be sending a notice to all members notifying them of these changes in the next few days.

This is a pivotal time for NCTA and our ability to move forward positively as the national voice of the Christmas Tree industry is very much at stake. NCTA needs each of

Spring 2016

VCTGA News Journal Page 10

Milestones for Key Key Milestones for Christmas Tree Promotion Christmas Tree Promotion

March 24, 2016 -Centennial, Colorado – The success of the new Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Order depends on many things – but arguably the two most important factors are assessment collections and a strong promotional plan. The Christmas Tree Promotion board recently made major steps forward in these two key areas.

A series of two letters was sent to known producers in November and December, reminding growers of their responsibility to report and either pay the assessment or submit an application for exemption. A follow up mailing is planned in the near future for growers who have not responded.

All payments and sales reporting forms are mailed directly to the CTPB’s lockbox at Metropolitan Bank in Memphis, Tennessee.

Program Funding and Assessment Collection The CTPB recently reached a key funding level of $1.5 million collected for the 2015 harvest season.

Although there are assessments still to be collected, this is an important milestone. “Having these dollars in the bank insures that we can move forward with a strong promotional program for the 2016 season,” commented CTPB Treasurer, Cubby Steinhart.

Assessment collections will continue in earnest. “We are beginning to receive assessments on Christmas trees imported from Canada,” said Marsha Gray, CTPB staff member.

“The delay in receiving customs reports on imported trees put us a bit behind on import collections. We are now getting excellent response from importers and Canadian growers.”

“We anticipated that assessment collections would have some challenges in the first year,” commented Executive Director, Tim O’Connor.

“We started from ground zero and are still identifying producers.”

VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016 VCTGA News Journal

This strategy paid off in giving the board six outstanding options to consider for a promotional partner.

“It was gratifying to begin doing the work the board was created to do,” added Tim O’Connor.

“I have worked on campaigns for a number of other large commodities and I knew that this would be an exciting and invigorating process for the board. The board has worked diligently through so much of the more mundane responsibilities of starting up a check off program. This was their chance to get a taste of ‘what could be’ for the Christmas tree industry.”

Each agency had two hours to introduce their firm and present their recommendations on promoting fresh cut Christmas trees.

Jim, Della Dinner Themembers CTPB was The CTPB was joined– by of the joined by members the California California ChristmasofTree Association Christmas Tree Association when they when they met in San Francisco in March. met inDirector, San Francisco March. CCTA CCTA GeorgeinMcKenzie (left) is Director,with George McKenzie picpictured CTPB members(left) Jim is Heater tured with CTPB members and Della Deal.Jim Heater and Della Deal.

Promotional Partner Selected The primary activity at the Christmas Tree Promotion Board’s March 9-11 meeting was a series of presentations from six advertising and public relations agencies. This field of six was identified by the Promotion Committee in January after carefully reviewing proposals from a number of agencies. Executive Director, Tim O’Connor identified highly successful and award-winning small to medium sized agencies and targeted them to provide proposals to promote fresh cut Christmas trees.

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“It was a fascinating and exciting day and a half of presentations. The energy and creativity of the agencies and their staff members was infectious,” commented Chairperson, Betty Malone. “With each presentation it just got better and better. I can’t wait to see the program develop.”

“I was waiting to be wowed by one of the presentations,” added Cubby Steinhart. “And I was wowed, and wowed, and wowed!”

In the end, the board selected Concept Farm as their agency partner.

Concept Farm is an award-winning integrated, independent ad agency that delivers bold strategy and compelling content that engages consumers across all channels. Concept Farm is located in New York’s “Silicon Alley” with 30 “Farmers” (team members) collaborating across strategy, account management, creative, design, social media, measurement and

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analytics. To harvest content with maximum efficiency, they also have a full suite of in-house production and post-production capabilities.

“Concept Farm demonstrated an ability to work quickly and nimbly to engage consumers in a variety of ways, sharing the real Christmas tree message,” said Promotion Chairperson Jim Heater. “Passionate,” added Beth Walterscheidt, “Thinking outside the box.”

“They knocked my socks off!” said Bentley Curry. “As my friend and Grand Ole Opry comedian, Jerry Clower used to say, it was a ‘knock 'em out John’ presentation.”

As soon as a contract is inked between CTPB and Concept Farm, the two will get to work on agreeing on strategy, content and a calendar for promoting Christmas trees in the upcoming 2016 Christmas season.

Tim O’Connor, Executive Director, 303-229-9198, tim@timoconnormarketingandstrategy.com

First Season with Christmas Tree Promotion Order Centennial, Colorado - As Christmas tree producers across the country are busily harvesting and shipping Christmas trees, and caring for their customers this holiday season, the Christmas Tree Promotion Board (CTPB) has been extremely busy preparing for its first assessment collection and executing its first promotional campaign.

Promotional Campaign Working with funds from generous growers who elected to prepay a portion of their anticipated assessments, the CTPB Promotion Committee executed an abbreviated, yet attractive VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016

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promotional campaign featuring families making the choice to celebrate Christmas with a real Christmas tree.

The campaign was developed and executed in a matter of just weeks with a very limited budget and relied solely on social media to deliver its message.

Christmas music played in the car as Kylie and Peter Snow drove to pick out their family Christmas tree with their kids: Henry, Claire, and George. The kids giggled and pointed at evergreens along the way, “Mom! Is that the tree we are going to get?!”

They had never done this before and couldn’t wait to see what tree farms were all about.

The Snow family has used an artificial tree each year at Christmas. It made sense. The set-up, tear down, and storage was easy every year and they hadn’t thought much about doing anything differently. But a family friend began talking to her about the work he was doing with local tree farmers. And it sparked some very special memories for her.

“I instantly remembered the holidays as a kid. We would go each year and pick out our tree as a family. That

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tradition is one of my favorite memories from my childhood and I wanted to give that to my kids.”

Fresh Cut. ... Home Grown was a theme used in this campaign and its components can be viewed at the campaign website: www.freshcuthomegrown.com. The campaign follows the stories of a number of families and their choice to include a fresh cut Christmas tree as a part of their holiday celebration. The Snow family is featured most prominently as a photo journalist followed their story; from the decision to switch from an artificial to a real Christmas tree, to the actual tree selection and decoration. The warm images evoke strong emotions that resonate with families. Using a network of "Mommy Bloggers" and a variety of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, the family stories featured in the Fresh Cut Home Grown campaign are reaching an ever-expanding on-line audience.

Assessment Collection In November, many Christmas tree growers and importers received a letter from the CTPB that included background information on the new program, an outline of Frequently Asked Questions as well as information on how to access the CTPB website and how to communicate with the CTPB. The mailing was sent to every grower that the board was able to identify by that date.

A second mailing, scheduled for midDecember, focuses on how growers and importers can pay their assessments and includes the reporting form and a pre-addressed envelope for submitting the report and payment. The mailing list was expanded somewhat for this mailing as additional growers have been identified and addresses confirmed. Any grower that does not receive direct

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mail correspondence from the Christmas Tree Promotion Board is urged to visit the board's website (www.christmastreepromotionboard.org ) and complete a contact information form so that they may be included in future correspondence. Or they are welcome to email their contact information to: fixmyaddress@christmastreepromotionboard.org .

Updates Over the course of the next few months many state and regional associations will be hosting winter meetings and the CTPB is scheduled to present updates and participate in Question and Answer forums at a number of these. Christmas tree producers are urged to bring questions and suggestions to these sessions, as they provide a great opportunity for industry interaction and feedback.

What is the Christmas Tree Promotion Board?

Industry Information The 2015 Christmas season is the first time Christmas tree growers will market trees under the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Order (otherwise known as the Christmas tree checkoff). The following information is designed to provide growers with all the details they need to understand the program, what the Christmas Tree Promotion Board (CTPB) plans to achieve and how growers will pay their assessments.

What is the Christmas Tree Promotion and Research Order?

A US Department of Agriculture regulation that governs the CTPB, au-

thorizes the Board to manage an effective program of promotion, research, evaluation and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace and defines who is required to pay assessments on Christmas tree sales.

What will the CTPB do with the money?

Ad – Tim Mitchell’s Yule Stand System

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CTPB will invest its resources to achieve its vision and mission of enhancing the value and demand for cut Christmas trees, improving the future of the industry by creating and increasing opportunities for growers, importers and others in the industry through promotion, research and education programs.

are cut and sold. A late payment charge plus interest will be imposed on any producer or importer who fails to remit to the board the total amount for which such producer or importer is liable on or before the due date.

How are assessments paid?

The CTPB will provide remittance forms to the industry with detailed instructions on where and how to send payments. Payments will be made by check and sent to a bank lock box as designated by the board. Click here to download remittance form How can I help?

Who is required to pay the assessment?

The payment of assessments on domestic Christmas trees that are cut and sold will be the responsibility of the producer who produces the Christmas trees or causes the trees to be cut. Each importer of Christmas trees shall pay the assessment to the Board on Christmas trees imported for marketing in the United States during a marketing year.

Any producer who cuts and sells less than 500 Christmas trees in a fiscal period or any importer who imports less than 500 Christmas trees in a fiscal period may obtain an exemption from the assessment.

CTPB needs to communicate to all growers. You can help us add to our grower contact list by sharing names of growers in your area or in your business network to ensure they receive all of the CTPB’s information. Click here to complete a simple on-line contact form to insure that we have your correct contact information.

Interested in reading the full order?

Click here to download the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Order Looking for remittance and exemption forms or the latest grower information? 

Sales and Importer Remittance Form (click here)

Various business activities that are common in the industry may cause some confusion on who is required to pay the assessment; one rule simplifies that decision. Whoever owns the trees at the time of cutting pays the assessment.



Application for less than 500 tree exemption (click here)



Organic Exemption Application (click here)



Fall 2015 Grower Letter (click here)

What is the assessment rate? When is payment due?

Are there late payment penalties?



FAQs January 2016 (click here)



CTPB FY15-16 Budget (click here)

The assessment is 15 cents per Christmas tree produced domestically or imported into the United States. All assessment payments are to be received by the board no later than February 15 of the following year in which they 14VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016 |

Our Programs The Christmas Tree Promotion Board created its first consumer marketing program with a very small budget for the 2015 Christmas season.

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It featured real families as they share the real Christmas tree experience through social media. The themes emphasize family time together and the priceless memories of family Christmases that only the experience and tradition of choosing a real Christmas tree for their home can create.

The reach of the campaign was encouraging and the themes were well received. One of the most successful components was a “Mommy Blogger” sponsored Twitter Party garnering 361,075 social impressions and nearly 2.3 million Twitter impressions! Another successful strategy was the positioning of campaign articles on popular websites such as Parenting.com, RealSimple.com and SouthernLiving.com that tallied 623,013 impressions in a 10 day campaign.

You can view these stories by visiting our campaign website: www.freshcuthomegrown.com as well as engage in our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andYouTube. All can be directly accessed from the Fresh Cut/Home Grown website: www.freshcuthomegrown.com.

For a complete report of the campaign reach, please click here: CTPB – 2015 Campaign Analysis Questions – Can be addressed to any board member, or the management team: Tim O’Connor – tim@christmastreepromotionboard.org Marsha Gray – marsha@christmastreepromotionboard.org

Obituary - Paul Revell I am sorry to pass on the message that Paul Revell died on Thursday March 17th he was at home with his family.

If you would like to send Paul’s wife Lindy and family a card, their mailing address is P.O. Box 156, Weyers Cave, VA 24486-0156.

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He was employed by the Virginia Department of Forestry in Charlottesville, and was the facilitator for the last VCTGA Strategic Planning Meeting.

He also worked with many different associations and consumer groups and was very involved in the Trees Virginia program.

Paul Revell, 65, died of pancreatic cancer on Thursday, March 17 at his home in Weyers Cave.

His loving wife and children surrounded him as he reached for the stars.

Reverend Alexandra McGee will conduct the memorial service.

boriculture True Professional of Arboriculture Award, the VNRLI Gerald P. McCarthy Award for Leadership in Environmental Conflict Resolution, and the Clinch River Valley Initiative Partner of the Year Award. Each award is a testament to Paul's hard work, dedication, commitment, innovation, creativity, public service, and good humor in the face of daunting challenges.

He is remembered as a kind, loving man full of dry wit and endless generosity. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of the deceased to the Paul Revell Legacy Scholarship Fund at University of Vir-

. Paul worked in the forest products industry for several years before joining the Virginia Department of Forestry in 1985, where he initially served as Area Forester in the Tidewater region of Virginia and helped start the Urban and Community Forestry Program. He then served as District Forester in the Tappahannock region. In 1994, he was appointed Statewide Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, a position he held until he retired in 2015.

ginia by sending a check in care of Scott Karr to University of Virginia School of Architecture Foundation, Campbell Hall, PO Box 400122, Charlottesville, VA 22904. Contributions can also be made to Trees Virginia, 900 Natural Resources Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903 Barbara White, Acting Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator, Virginia Department of Forestry, Barbara.White@dof.virginia.gov

Ad – Riverside Enterprises

As Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, Paul helped several organizations implement significant projects, including greenways, landscape designs, streetscapes, parks, and open spaces. He was a past president of the Mid- Atlantic Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture and received that organization’s True Professional Award in 2015. Paul also served for several years on the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, and helped with the initial funding of the Clinch River Valley Initiative. He received numerous awards and recognition from organizations across Virginia, including the Keep Virginia Beautiful Award, the Southern Group of State Foresters Urban Forestry Award, the National Association of State Foresters Urban Forestry Award, the International Society of ArVCTGA News Journal VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016

Spring 2016

| 15 Page 15

by The Round Top Collection

Add a Little Charm to Your Christmas Tree Farm!

Shop our incredible selection of seasonal metal decor.

In the rolling hills of Central Texas lies Round Top, a small village-like town of German Heritage that to this day, seems frozen in time and isolated from our hectic world.

Twice a year, this small and peaceful haven becomes a world-class center of antiques and folk-art that attracts collectors from around the world. Our story begins over thirty years ago in this creative haven.

The Round Top Collection was born when Jeff Krause successfully started selling his hand-made rusted metal creations o n the Town Square in Round Top, Texas.

Jeff’s wife Debbie, suggested that her husband bend a pile of rusty, whiskey barrel hoops into hearts.

Jeff sold out of the rusty hearts in a quick hustle-bustle morning on the Round Top square. Since

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then Jeff continually challenges himself to design collections of seasonal home and garden décor to celebrate every holiday.

From the days of rusty metal, The Round Top Collection has evolved into classic designs that honor traditions, borrow from nature, and renew the joy of giving. Each creation captures personal expressions of fond memories, inspiring new traditions among buyers and collectors year after year.

Quality materials and versatile design are the foundation of The Round Top Collection. From our smallest ornaments to largest yard displays, our designs are carefully constructed to offer you multiple ways to decorate each year. The Round Top Collection sculptors, welders, and painters collaborate to offer products that encourage you to smile and cherish the present.

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Our motivation is to inspire others, each and every season.

Giving a gift of The Round Top Collection is sharing a special moment with the ones we love. Our ornaments, candles, candy jars, and other decorative elements are the perfect way to show admiration and appreciation to friends and family, no matter the occasion.

The Round Top Collection knows that 31 years of successful business is not just luck, it is a blessing from God that we as a company, humbly acknowledge.

Jeff’s favorite saying is “each new day is a gift from God” and he truly leads the company with this inspiring belief.

Contact Us shop.thertc.com admin@thertc.com (713) 682-4777 VCTGA News Journal

VCTGA Annual Meeting & Conference

The Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association’s Annual Meeting and Conference August 4-6, 2016

Stonewall Jackson Hotel Staunton, VA

Topics include: Annual Tree & Wreath Contest – Winners present tree and wreaths to the Governor’s Mansion Panel Discussion: Recap of 2015 Sales Season/Outlook for 2016 Post-Harvest Quality of Trees and Greenery – Dr. Jeff Owen, NCSU State Extension Specialist (Christmas Trees) Check Off update by Check Off Board Member Della Deal Member Profiles Effective Use of Deer Repellents/Roundup Resistant Weeds/Trends in Tree Density - Dr. Jeff Owen, NCSU Transferring Your Farm to the next Generation – What’s Your Plan?

Is Your Tree Farm Safe and Customer-friendly?

Farm Photography: Liability, Policies, Potential Revenues? (Panel Discussion) Annual Meeting and Banquet Scholarship Auction – Donate items and bring your checkbook Friday luncheon guest speaker will be Sandy Adams, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Saturday – Farm Tour – VA Tech McCormick Farm, Raphine, VA - home of the McCormick reaper, credited for starting the mechanical revolution in agriculture that would forever change agricultural production worldwide, from , the International Harvester Company.

Ad – Merry and Bright

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VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016

VCTGA News Journal

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Legislative Updates from AmericanHort Legislative Watchdog for the NCTA Lower Court Ruling Stands in Chesapeake Bay Litigation The Supreme Court declined to hear an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chesapeake Bay “pollution diet,” formally known as “total maximum daily load” (TMDL). AFBF had argued that EPA overstepped its authority when it established the Chesapeake Bay TMDL by encroaching on the rights of the states in the Bay’s watershed. The Supreme Court denial means that a 2013 lower court ruling, which found that EPA’s Chesapeake Bay efforts fall within the agency’s authorities under the Clean Water Act, now stands.

Some agriculture and developmentoriented organizations are concerned that EPA will now use the Chesapeake Bay TMDL as a model for other watersheds, potentially even including the Mississippi River, where nutrient loads are responsible for a large anoxic (oxygen-deprived) zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

Craig Regelbrugge

Nation's Highest Court Prepares for Immigration Case The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to take up the United States vs. Texas case, in which a group of states challenged the Obama administration’s executive actions granting a deferral of deportation for some unauthorized immigrants. March 8 was the filing deadline for amicus (friend of the court) briefs in the case, and at least 18 briefs – including a business-oriented brief – were filed in support of 18 |

VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016

the legality of the administration’s actions.

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled to be heard in April, and a court decision is likely in June. The death of Justice Antonin Scalia is not expected to have a major impact on the court’s decision; many observers expect either a 5-3 decision upholding the administration’s position, or a 44 tie, which would leave standing an appellate court ruling against the administration. A positive decision for the administration will likely mean a frenzied scramble to implement the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans policy, against the backdrop of the chaotic presidential race.

Craig Regelburgge

States Consider Neonic & Pollinator Legislation As reported previously, a number of state legislatures are considering bee, pollinator, and pesticide-related legislation despite the fact that EPA’s risk assessments are a work in progress, and early results do not seem to justify hasty action.

Protecting Farm Bill Programs As the Congressional appropriations process shifts into high gear, lawmakers may be tempted to reopen hard-won agreements already in place. Exhibit A is the Farm Bill.

Tough bipartisan choices made in 2014 resulted in a 5-year Farm Bill that delivered an estimated $16 billion in budgetary savings. Yet, agreements made are not always agreements honored.

Key Farm Bill research and pest prevention programs have become vital for the horticulture industry. For this reason, AmericanHort joined 251 agricultural, business, conservation, nutrition, and other groups on a letter urging to urge Senate and House appropriators to respect the hard work already done, and resist the temptation to reopen the Farm Bill.

Craig Regelbrugge

Monarch Butterfly Numbers Increase

As just one example, the Maryland Senate has passed a measure rendering neonicotinoids unavailable for consumer purchase in 2018. They would be available only for use by certified applicators, farmers, and veterinarians. If it passes the Maryland House, it would be the first measure of its kind in the U.S. As the Maryland bill was considered in the Senate, a provision was dropped that would have required an informational label to accompany all plants, seeds, and nursery stock produced using neonicotinoids.

Jill Calabro, PhD

Spring 2016

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and their Mexican colleagues at the Piedra Herrada monarch butterfly sanctuary, overwintering monarch butterflies occupied roughly 8 more acres of sanctuary habitat than last year. This acVCTGA News Journal

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counts for a 255 percent habitat increase by the iconic migrant monarchs at this sanctuary. Since 1980, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, high in Mexico’s Sierra Madre range, has dedicated a 138,000-acre reserve of oyamel fir forests (Abies religiosa) and several other species of trees. In the U.S., major efforts are underway to restore and expand summer habitat for the prized and beautiful species, which depends on just a handful of milkweed species in order to reproduce.

Since the 1990s, monarch butterflies have declined an alarming 90 percent due to habitat loss. Scores of agencies and nonprofit groups in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are working together to reestablish and restore monarch habitat to ensure their phenomenal months-long migration from their Mexican over-wintering grounds to the United States and southern Canada.

Davi Bowen

Global Honey Trade and Bee Declines Connected?

A group of researchers’ point to a decline in beekeeping and an increase in the global honey market – not pests, pesticides, or loss of habitat – as a means to explain the reduction in reported honey bee colony numbers.

Researchers from Germany and South Africa sifted through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) massive database on honey bee colony numbers and honey production and trade. The data were collected from approximately 100 countries from 19612013. The authors suggest that major political and socioeconomic events impact colony numbers.

Jill Calabro, PhD

VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016 VCTGA News Journal

A Synopsis of the Neonicotinoid Insecticide vs.

Bee Controversy Richard S. Cowles, Ph. D., Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station [Editor’s Note: this was posted on an entomology listserve by Dr. Cowles, and some things are specific to Connecticut, but he captures key elements of the “state of play” on the issue.

Governor McAuliffe signed SB 356 and this is the summary of the bill that becomes effective 7/1/16.

Virginia Pollinator Protection Strategy. Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the Department) to develop and maintain a pollinator protection strategy (the Strategy) to promote the health of and mitigate the risks to pollinator species and ensure a robust apiary industry. The Strategy shall include a protection plan for managed pollinators that provides voluntary best management practices and supports efforts to reduce risks from pesticides, increase habitat, and take other steps to protect pollinators. The Department is directed to provide an interim report on the Strategy by July 1, 2017, and to complete the Strategy by July 1, 2018.

SEE VDACS Listening Session Highlights on page 22]

What are neonicotinoid insecticides, and why are they important?

Synthetic systemic insecticides having the same mode of action at nerve synapses as nicotine are classified as neonicotinoids. These (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam) have become an extraordinarily important class of insecticides because: 1. They are exceptionally selectively toxic to insects vs. vertebrates, making them relatively safe to humans (applicators, consumers, and most non-target vertebrates) when compared with the insecticides that would otherwise be used.

Spring 2016

2. Their systemic nature means that, once absorbed by a plant’s roots, they can reach hidden areas throughout the plant to affect insects feeding on the plant. By being presented on the inside of the plant, systemic insecticides are inherently safer for most beneficial predators and parasitoids of pests than many contact-acting insecticides, allowing integration of chemical and biological control.

3. Most neonicotinoids break down quickly when exposed to sunlight. Low-rate foliar sprays can be of such short residual nature that they may minimally impact beneficial insects. When absorbed into plants, these insecticides are protected from the effects of lights by the plants’ photosynthetic pigments, meaning that they have relatively long residual properties in leaves.

This, in turn, means that they are applied less frequently to manage pests than many alternative insecticides.

What is the evidence for and against a role for neonicotinoids causing problems with bees?

The systemic nature of neonicotinoids implies that they may be presented through nectar and pollen to bees and other pollinators, which are extremely sensitive to exposure. One of the most controversial scientific problems of our day is whether problems in bee health (honey bees, bumble bees, and native solitary bees) can be blamed on their unintentional chronic poisoning by exposure to this class of insecticide. Two general hypotheses (not mutually exclusive) could explain, for instance, the phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), in which honey bee workers abandon their hives, the queen, and developing young (brood) in sufficient numbers that the colony can

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no longer function, and subsequently dies.

Hypothesis 1: Neonicotinoids are to blame. This hypothesis proposes that exposure to low concentrations of neonicotinoids will cause worker bees to lose their ability to return back to the colony – hence the loss of worker bees from the colony. Furthermore, it also proposes that neonicotinoids may increase susceptibility of bees to diseases, disrupt the social organization of honey bees, and interfere with reproduction of bumble bees and solitary bees. Although honey bees metabolize imidacloprid very quickly, those molecules that have bound to nerve receptors would be unavailable to be metabolized, and so the toxic effects may accumulate and be greater than what pharmacological models would predict. In addition, the combination of exposure to neonicotinoids and other pesticides could present synergistic effects that imply greater toxicity than predicted from laboratory tests, in which neonicotinoids are presented in isolation from these other pesticides.

Hypothesis 2: Diseases are to blame. This hypothesis is based on the established knowledge that when honey bees are very sick, they leave the colony to die, a phenomenon called altruistic suicide.

When enough worker bees become sick, altruistic suicide could lead to Colony Collapse Disorder. An important parasitic mite of honey bees was first discovered in the U.S. in 1987, a few years before neonicotinoids were first introduced into agricultural use.

Varroa mites (a) directly parasitize bees, weakening them, (b) are efficient vectors of viral diseases in bees, and (c) suppress the immune system of bees, making them more susceptible to infections. There is no controversy that the introduction and spread of varroa mites has made keeping bees very difficult in the 20VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2016 |

U.S. and the rest of the world. Along with the spread of varroa mites, concomitant introduction or spread of new viral diseases (Israeli acute paralysis virus, Kashmir virus, and tobacco ringspot virus) and one fungal disease, Nosema ceranae, are clearly linked to poor colony performance and increased overwintering mortality of hives. In addition, to combat both varroa mites and the small hive beetle (first detected in the U.S. in 1998), certain specifically registered pesticides are now used directly in hives.

When comparing the explanatory value of these hypotheses, the disease hypothesis is very strongly supported by evidence, whereas data supporting the neonicotinoid hypothesis is very weak (with respect to honey bee health and involvement with CCD), but more strongly supported with respect to their potential to cause harm to bumble bees and solitary bees.

The chief problems with blaming neonicotinoids for problems with honey bees are: (1) Although Colony Collapse Disorder was named in 2006, literature review revealed that this phenomenon has a long history, with incidents in 1906, 1961 – 62, and 1979, renamed as a new problem on each occasion. Clearly, this phenomenon cannot be uniquely attributed to the introduction of neonicotinoids. Modern biological methods to detect and identify new viral diseases were not available until the occurrence of CCD.

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(2) CCD occurs wherever varroa mites are found, and is not correlated with the use of neonicotinoids. For example, CCD has not been reported Australia, which allows neonicotinoid use but does not have varroa mite infestation of honey bees. Also, European countries that banned neonicotinoids continued to have problems with heavy losses of bees.

(3) The involvement of a disease was directly implicated in 2007 through experiments introducing healthy honey bees into contaminated hive equipment that was either sterilized or not. Bees introduced into non-sterile hives (from which a previous colony had collapsed) themselves collapsed, whereas those introduced into irradiated hives (which would kill pathogens but not remove pesticides) thrived.

(4) In order for neonicotinoids to be responsible for deleterious effects on bees, there has to be a combination of presence in pollen at toxic concentrations and over a sufficient length of time to affect bee biology.

The latest information as assessed by U.S. EPA toxicologists indicates a clear threshold of a concentration of 25 parts per billion (ppb) in nectar to influence honey bee health [concentrations affecting other species of bees may be lower]. A statewide survey for contamination of pollen collected by honey bees throughout one season in Massachusetts indicates that the average concentration and exposure of honey bees through pollen is approximately 2 ppb. Samples rarely may approach or exceed the 25 ppb threshold required for chronic exposure to affect honey bee health. There are specific instances when use of neonicotinoids can be expected to lead to adverse effects, including use of these products in citrus and cotton crops, and on linden trees. Use was specifically withdrawn for linden trees in 2015 by the U. S. EPA as is now specified on the insecticide labels.

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What are appropriate responses to minimize risks for pollinators from the use of neonicotinoids?

Legislative actions related to the perceived risks to bees from use of these insecticides have ranged from bans of their use (e.g., the two-year ban in Europe, action in some areas in Canada and the U.S.) to acceptance of this class of insecticides as being less damaging to bees than the insecticide alternatives that they largely replace (Australia). The range of options and their consequences from adoption of these options are highlighted here.

1. Total ban on their use within Connecticut.

This would constitute an immediate hardship for the ornamental nursery industry within the state, which would immediately have to find insecticide alternatives to manage certain pests of significance. Many of the alternative insecticides may be as or more toxic to bees than neonicotinoids. Nurseries have to pass phytosanitary inspection in order to ship plants that are free of pests to other states. For example, rhododendron leaf miner is native to southern New England and not in other parts of the country. Shipments of rhododendrons from Connecticut (a multimillion dollar crop) could be made very difficult, as alternative effective treatment methods are not known.

Management of exotic pests of trees in the state would become much more difficult. A single imidacloprid treatment provides seven years of protection for a hemlock tree from damage by hemlock woolly adelgid.

Treatment with either imidacloprid or dinotefuran protects ash trees from infestation by emerald ash borer. If Asian longhorned borer were found in Connecticut, without the approved use of imidacloprid, trees in infested areas would automatically have to be removed, as there is no alternative approved quarantine treatment alternative.

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2. Ban specific uses within Connecticut.

The state could target particular uses or formulations of these insecticides for which the benefit for their use is outweighed by the environmental cost. A controversial use of these products is seed treatments for corn, soybean, and sunflower crops. At the time of planting, liberation of the insecticide into the air as dust from treated seed has been identified as particularly hazardous to bees. Manufacturers of seeding equipment and chemical companies have been working to resolve this problem.

The specific prohibition against use of neonicotinoids on linden trees is now stated on the product labels, and is a federal extension of a ban initiated by Oregon following bee poisonings. It is possible that there are other flowering plants, like lindens, for which treatment would be hazardous to bees. If these were identified, or the conditions of their use leading to hazard to bees, then these uses may be curtailed at the state level.

3. Make neonicotinoids “restricted use” pesticides.

Restricted use pesticides require possession of a pesticide applicator’s license in order to purchase a pesticide for use in the state where it is restricted. For instance, Safari (dinotefuran) is a restricted use product in Massachusetts, due to concerns regarding its potential mobility in ground water. Such an action would prevent most applications by homeowners, and would limit application to holders of a pesticide applicator license. Licensed applicators, by law, have to complete courses that will mean that they are better informed than the general public on safe practices regarding pesticide use.

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4. Promote better use of this class of insecticides.

There clearly are concerns regarding the potential for these insecticides to be present at high enough concentrations in pollen or nectar to affect the biology of all pollinators. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is a leader within the U. S. regarding research regarding exposure of bees, and the dynamics of contamination of pollen or nectar through the use of these systemic insecticides.

Our work, combined with similar efforts from land grant universities, can be used to provide evidence-based best management guidelines for nurseries, groundskeepers, and homeowners to get the greatest benefit from these insecticides, identify alternatives to their use, and minimize their environmental impacts.

Mitigation of these risks has already been taking place for several years through educational programs to arborists, and over time may reduce risks to become environmentally insignificant.

What else could be done to improve the plight of our bees?

Our state should embrace the efforts presented in the Presidential task force report to protect bee health, presented at: (https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/Pollinator%20Health%20Strategy%202015.pdf).

These efforts could include strategic changes to improve bee forage along the state’s highways, and educational programs for the general public on the importance of bees and landscape design to benefit bees.

Summary Unless carefully crafted, increased state regulation for the use of neonicotinoids is unlikely to improve the health of honey bees but could have many negative consequences.

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VDACS Listening Session Highlights

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs (VDACS) was tasked by EPA to develop a State Managed Pollinator Protector Plan with the goal of reducing pollinator exposure to pesticides. In developing a Plan that reflects the needs and interests of multiple parties across VDACS Listening Session Highlights the state, VDACS hosted seven Listening Sessions to hear from growers, beekeepers, pesticide applicators and researchers/extension agents.

Approximately 450 people attended one of the Listening Sessions and shared many ideas for helping to reduce pollinator exposure to pesticides.

These suggestions are highlighted here. Additional details are provided in the respective summaries for each Listening Session.

Question 1: From your own perspective, what information would be helpful to have – or share with others – to reduce pollinator exposure to pesticides?

Three information points surfaced at every session:  Location of beehives  Location and timing of pesticide sprays  Which pesticide product is being applied There was general agreement about the need for communication, information sharing and notification about sprays – and that there is some sensitivity about who has access to that information.

Participants at the various Listening Sessions expressed an interest in understanding which are pesticides are worse for bees and identifying less toxic alternatives.

Generally, there is a desire for basic information on:  Bee behavior (e.g. defining “active foraging”)  Beekeeping practices  Application practices (e.g. drift management, wet

v. dry, application decision factors)  Local crops and blossom times  Pesticide toxicity levels to bees, for how long  Acute v. chronic effects of pesticides on bees  Information on fungicide effects

Question Three: How far in advance do beekeepers want to know of a pesticide application? How far in advance can pesticide applicators provide that information?

A consistent response across the Listening Sessions was that 24‐hour notice should be the minimum notification for sprays. There is an understanding that more notice would be even better, since those with a large number of bees need to make arrangements for shutting the hives.

It is also understood that spray activities can change on short notice due to a number of factors – such as weather conditions and pest thresholds.

Basically, notification of sprays (and of changes in plan) should occur as soon as possible. This allows beekeepers to make informed decisions about how best to manage the hive.

The presence of multiple fields adds to the complexity in trying to coordinate and schedule spray applications.

Also, spraying a crop that is not in blossom can still affect bees if there is an attractive cover crop in bloom – or if the field is in the flight path to another food source.

Identify the schedule and timing of routine sprays (e.g., orchards, mosquito control and commercial landscape applications)

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Question Two: How can agricultural producers, pesticide applicators, beekeepers, and others share information about pesticide applications and the location of beehives?

What methods do you suggest, or already being used?

A wide range of approaches were suggested for sharing information. Some general principles were identified by all sessions:  Use protected websites and databases to share information (i.e., not publicly accessible)  Communication methods must be effective, efficient and user‐friendly  Use preferred methods of contact for notifications – one strategy or method will not work for all situations  Develop a pesticide/insecticide alert system  Explore all options for sharing information

It was emphasized that people do not want to be inundated with messages – notifications should be for targeted areas, and perhaps prioritized according to level of toxicity for bees.

Extension can provide information and advice about pesticide applications to landowners and growers. Efforts are needed to increase awareness at point‐of‐sale locations, such as Home Depot and Lowes.

Question Four: What Best Management Practices could you implement to help protect pollinators? What additional ideas should be considered?

A number of best practices were suggested:  Time pesticide applications to reduce exposure to bees AND/OR  Time pesticide applications to reduce the amount of time bees are confined to the hive  Increase pollinator‐friendly vegetation near hives  Create pollinator‐friendly borders near fields  Involve right‐of‐way entities in notification efforts and best practices (e.g. VDOT, utilities, rail, etc.)  Share information with others  Continued dialogue between stakeholders will increase understanding about each other’s concerns, constraints, operations and needs  Better labeling is needed with: clear instructions, larger print and waterproof labels  Share information about this topic with others  Rotate comb out of the hive on an annual basis

On the VDACS website:  provide instructions on actions that should be taken if a bee kill is suspected  Provide links to other resources and research

Spring 2016

Highlights document prepared by the Institute for Environmental Negotiation (IEN), University of Virginia

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