Virginia Evergreen Summer 2018

community in Virginia. Parking and admission is provided. We will have a sign-up sheet at the an- nual meeting so I hope you will help out. That’s all for now. Good luck on the farm and we hope to see you in Natural Bridge in August.

member will set aside time to at- tend and participate in VCTGA’s signature annual event. It is a great opportunity to meet and talk and share ideas with fellow growers. As in the past, we will have an ex- cellent line-up of exhibitors to as- sist you with your farm needs. So, mark the dates on your calendar now. We look forward to seeing you in Natural Bridge. I want to give you some back- ground on one panel scheduled for Friday afternoon of our meeting. The subject is Alternative Farm Income. Last Fall, VCTGA held a strategic planning session to look at future activities of the associa- tion and how best to serve the membership. One idea that virtu- ally everyone agreed on was the interest in looking for ways to generate additional revenue in the “off season”. I know many of you are doing this now so please plan to attend this panel discussion and bring your ideas to share with other members. Please take time to read the latest information from the Extension Service regarding the spotted lan- tern fly. When you are in your fields scouting, mowing and shearing, keep a close eye on your trees for this pest. Should you see any contact your local extension office immediately. And once again I ask you to mark your calendars for the State Fair of Virginia scheduled for September 28 through October 7. VCTGA will have an exhibit again this year and we need volunteers. It is a great – and fun – opportunity to meet the public and talk to them about our industry. It is also an op- portunity to meet and talk with other folks from the agriculture

From the President

Jeff Gregson, President VCTGA 2016-18 Jeff Gregson President VCTGA 2016-18

Are You Selecting the Right Species for Christmas Trees? Dr. Rick Bates will let you know at the Annual Conference August 9-11, 2018 Disclaimer: Published for your information, this newsletter is not an endorsement for individual products or editorial comments. PH: 540-382-7310 Fax: 540-382-2716 secretary@VirginiaChristmasTrees.org www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org Disclaimer: Published for your information, his newslett r is not an endorsement for individual products or editorial omments. Are You S lecting the Right Species for Christmas Tr es? Dr. Rick Bates will let you know at the Annual Conference August 9-11, 2018 VCTGA News Journal Contributing and Coordinating Editors Pests Eric Day VDACS Support & Updates Danny Neel Grant Updates Greg Lemmer Editor in Chief - Jeff Miller Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Inc. 383 Coal Hollow Rd Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 PH: 540-382-7310 Fax: 540-382-2716 secretary@VirginiaChrist- masTrees.org www.VirginiaChristmasTreees.org e s Journal Contributing and Co rdinating Editors Pests ric Day Support & Updates anny Neel Grant Updates Greg Lemmer Editor in Chief - Jeff Miller Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Inc. 383 Coal Hollow Rd. Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721

VCTGA News Journal ‒ Summer 2018 CT e s Journal –Summer 2018   Good day everyone! Spring, to the extent we had one, is ending as we head into the dog days of summer. Rain totals for the past several weeks have been record setting in many Virginia localities and as such has kept most of us from nor- mal Spring duties on our farms. For those with flower and vegeta- ble gardens it has been especially frustrating by causing a delay in getting things in the ground. But in our business, we have all learned to expect the unexpected! In this edition you will find more details on our Annual Meeting scheduled for August 9 – 11 at the Natural Bridge Hotel and Confer- ence Center. Vice President John Carroll has put together an out- standing program which we hope you will find educational and ben- eficial to your farm operation. Also included is information on meeting registration and making hotel reservations. We hope every

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