By Andi Anderson
Christmas tree growers will have the chance to attend two different fall webinar series this September, hosted by Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and the Real Christmas Tree Board. Registration is now open for both programs, and participation is free, though advance registration is required.
The MSU Fall Christmas Tree Webinar will be held on September 4 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. This one-hour session will focus on pricing and selling strategies for Christmas trees.
Presenters include Simone Valle de Souza, PhD, from MSU’s Department of Horticulture, who will discuss break-even analysis for production, and Melvin Koelling, PhD, professor emeritus in forestry and tree physiology, who will share insights on sales and pricing strategies. The webinar will conclude with a short question-and-answer session.
The Real Christmas Tree Board Fall Webinar Series will be presented in two parts on September 16 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The September 16 session, led by MSU researcher Bert Cregg, PhD, will focus on transplant quality, seedling survival, and strategies to reduce replanting costs.
The September 23 session, presented by John Armato, communications consultant and co-founder of Armato Barber Communications, will focus on intentional communication strategies.
Armato will explain how industry spokespeople and advocates can effectively share their message, using techniques such as “first words” and the “ATM” method to strengthen communication.
Recordings of each webinar will be shared with registered participants, making it possible to revisit the material after the live sessions. However, pesticide credits will not be available due to the subject matter.
These webinars offer Christmas tree growers an opportunity to gain practical knowledge in both production and communication, helping them strengthen their operations and better represent the Christmas tree industry.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education