Summer. meeting. July 20 21, Hosted by Geissler Tree Farms Ontelaunee Grange White Oak Lane, Leesport, PA 19533

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1 Summer meeting July 20 21, 2018 Hosted by Geissler Tree Farms Ontelaunee Grange White Oak Lane, Leesport, PA 19533

2 2018 SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE Friday, July 20, :00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Registration Open 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Exhibitors Open 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Meet & Greet Snacks and Refreshments Provided Saturday, July 21, :00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Registration Open Refreshments provided 8:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Welcome and Overview of Farm History and Production Rick Geissler, Geissler Tree Farms 8:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Farm Tour and Demonstrations -OR- Tour Highlights Tree Grading Paul Shealer, Evergreen Acres Tree Farm Humic Acids & Plant Hormones Gene Gangwish, Loveland Products, Inc. Fraser Fir Cone Control Rick Geissler, Geissler Tree Farms 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions Who Will Work Our Trees? Kerry Scott, Program Manager, Mid-Atlantic Solutions, Inc. Like all of agriculture, the Christmas tree industry struggles to find the labor it needs to operate its farms and meet its customers needs. One viable solution is the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers program. With the help of a good agent, the labor gap on your farm can be closed and your business can not only survive, but even thrive. Learn the basics of H-2A in this session presented by Kerry Scott, Program Manager for MAS Labor, the nation s largest agent for the H-2A and H-2B programs. Spotted Lanternfly Regulations Jack Shannon, PA Dept. of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industries, Plant Inspector for Berks & Montgomery Counties In this session, you will learn what the quarantine means for you and have an opportunity to ask your burning questions about the Spotted Lanternfly. Tree Color Enhancement By: Bill Fetherolf

3 Saturday, July 21, 2018 (continued) 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Break 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 10:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Break Adjuvants A Sticky Subject This presentation will cover surfactants and other adjuvants available for pesticide applications. The discussion will include how adjuvants work, how they improve pesticide efficacy, how to minimize crop damage, and the proper selection of the adjuvants depending on the pesticide and its application. Demos of Tenax Plastic Fencing, Tree Color Enhancement and Beneke Rotary Pruner Bill Fetherolf, Co-Owner, Pioneer Evergreen Farms 10:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Farm Tour and Demonstrations -OR SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE 10:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions Proper Removal of Personal Protective Equipment This is a hands-on activity on properly removing PPE after a pesticide application. Both proper and improper removal of PPE will be presented, demonstrating how pesticide exposure can be reduced. Timac Agro Nutrient and Tree Health Trials Stacey Mullen, Timac Agro USA Timac Agro will demonstrate what their products can do to enhance tree health and nutrient management to create a more greener healthier looking tree that will increase its durability to elements (weather and diseases) and make it appear more favorable to customers to promote sales.

4 Saturday, July 21, 2018 (continued) 11:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Adjuvants A Sticky Subject This presentation will cover surfactants and other adjuvants available for pesticide applications. The discussion will include how adjuvants work, how they improve pesticide efficacy, how to minimize crop damage, and the proper selection of the adjuvants depending on the pesticide and its application. Spotted Lanternfly Regulations Jack Shannon, PA Dept. of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industries, Plant Inspector for Berks & Montgomery Counties In this session, you will learn what the quarantine means for you and have an opportunity to ask your burning questions about the Spotted Lanternfly. 12:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Lunch, Business Meeting, Promotion Board Update, Tree Bailing Contest 2:15 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Growers Panel Discussion Rick Geissler, Geissler Tree Farms Chris Botek, Crystal Spring Tree Farm John Roba, Roba Family Farms 3:00 p.m. 3:15 p.m. Break 2018 SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE 3:15 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Proper Removal of Personal Protective Equipment This is a hands-on activity on properly removing PPE after a pesticide application. Both proper and improper removal of PPE will be presented, demonstrating how pesticide exposure can be reduced. Session TBD The sessions 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.

5 2018 SUMMER MEETING HOTEL INFORMATION Holiday Inn Express Reading Airport 2389 Bernville Road, Reading, PA (610) PCTGA has negotiated discounted room rates for the days of the Summer Meeting based on availability. Room Rate: $119 (plus tax) The reservation deadline is June 20, 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 (610) Make sure to mention our group name: PA Christmas Tree Growers, to ensure you receive the discounted room rates. ABOUT OUR HOST Geissler Tree Farms is a year round operation providing a large selection of flowering, shade and evergreen trees and nursery stock for the homeowner and commercial landscaper. They also offer residential and commercial landscaping, mulching and hydroseeding. During the holiday season, Geissler Tree Farms cut their Christmas trees daily to guarantee freshness, as well as offer horse drawn wagon rides for customers to cut their own Christmas trees. Rick Geissler is also founder and president of East Coast Erosion Blankets with plants in Strausstown, PA, and South Carolina. It manufactures a global portfolio of erosion and sediment control products to distributors. Special thanks to the Geissler family for hosting our 2018 PCTGA Summer Meeting!

6 Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, 2207 Forest Hills Drive, Harrisburg, PA Phone: , Fax: , Website: