Christmas Tree Journal October 2016 Volume 30 Number 1
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Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal October 2016 Volume 30 Number 1 Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal Journal Celebrates Volume 30 In this Issue President’s Report 1 President’s Report The Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal is in its 30th 3 Executive Director’s Report By Scott MacKinnon volume and that’s reason enough for celebration. 5 Real Tree Sales: US Hope this message finds everyone well and The Journal is a snapshot of the Christmas Tree 6 NS CT Associations preparing for a busy and successful harvest industry of Nova Scotia; a record of its people and 8 Smart Tree season. It has been a while since we published their work; a representation of dedication and drive. 9 Seffernville the Journal and this issue represents a new Members lucky enough to still have early issues of 10 Photo Gallery format and hopefully a new ability to reach a the Journal are invited to send originals or scans of 12 Exotic Firs larger audience. first pages (if not the entire Journal) to 13 Oh the Places We’ve Been Since taking over as president of CTCNS, we [email protected]. These will be showcased in 13 If You Build It have had a busy summer. Council has taken Issue 2 and 3 of this, the 30th volume. 14 Eyes On You: Grower Profile the direction of bringing the industry together 14 Q and A: Scott MacKinnon The Journal is also a testament to years of relative to look to develop new foreign markets and to 15 In Pursuit of New Markets highs, lows, ebbs and flows. Gaps in publication— expand on our traditional US market. To do only a few—always ended with a new publication, 16 CCTGA Update (Continued on page 2) and this latest gap (since Winter 2016) is no 17 Looking Back: The Journal 18 Classified different. 20 2017: Year at a Glance Since then a call for a new Journal Coordinator, new Extra! Extra! format and more cost effective methods of formatting, printing and delivering the publication Hell Bay Brewing Company resulted—finally—in this Issue. Using Microsoft agrees to brew a Publisher to bring out the best of both print and Balsam Fir Beer digital publications, the Journal is now printed in full color and available to more people interested in the this Holiday Season! activities of the Membership of CTCNS. See Sarah Weston P. 4 for more Your comments, suggestions and photographs are always welcome at [email protected]. Moving? Mail To: Want the next issue in your Inbox? [email protected] Postage HERE IF UNDELIVERABLE please return to: CTCNS, 60 Research Drive, Bible Hill, NS, B6L 2R2 Thank You :) 1 Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal October 2016 Volume 30 Number 1 (Continued from page 1) 2. At the Nova Scotia level, we must en- CHRISTMAS TREE COUNCIL sure we are helping Balsam Fir carve out its OF NOVA SCOTIA part of the real tree market. This is a major www.ctcns.com President’s Report [email protected] initiative at Council as we look to raise the President Scott MacKinnon profile of Balsam Fir in existing and new 1st Vice President Mike Keddy this, we have taken the advice of our market markets. What good is it to Balsam Fir 2nd Vice President Richard Levy research study and developed a proposal to growers if the real tree market increases Past President Forrest Higgins brand the Atlantic Canada Balsam Fir. We but no one buys Balsam Firs? A number of Executive Director Sarah Weston have also sent our Executive Director to exporters representing all Nova Scotia EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Singapore on a government-funded trade Associations have joined together to form ASSOCIATION DELEGATES mission to meet with buyers. the Atlantic Canada Balsam Fir Partnership Lunenburg County Christmas Tree While Balsam fir may not yet be in South- with the goal of helping increase Council Producers’ Association east Asia, it has opened up opportunities in resources and fund new branding initia- Randy Naugler, Jack Wentzell, other countries, such as the Philippines. As tives. Working together, Christmas Tree Bruce Turner well, exporters in Nova Scotia were invited Council of Nova Scotia, SMART Tree and the Northeastern Christmas Tree Association Norman MacIssac “I’ve been around Cobequid Christmas Tree the Council table for 13 years Producers’ Association Matthew Priest and this is the most active and positive EXPORT DELEGATES that I have ever seen the industry.” Large Exporters -Scott MacKinnon Colin Hughes, Norman MacIssac Medium Exporters Atlantic Canada Balsam Fir Partnership are Wayne Bolivar, Forrest Higgins to meet with buyers from Colombia, Costa Small Exporters Rica and Panama in conjunction with the working to raise the profile, quality and technologies associated with Balsam Fir Laurie Levy, Murray Crouse Nova Scotia AgriFair. We were extended an OFFICE trees and greens. invitation because of the relationships that Shelly MacKenzie, NSFA have been formed with export develop- 3. At the grower level, it is important to (902) 893-2293 ment companies such as Kisserup and Taste take advantage of all avenues into the [email protected] of Nova Scotia. These meetings were an market. This can mean several things, for Perennia Innovation Park opportunity for NS exporters to court for- example, finding local retail markets to 60 Research Drive eign buyers for little to no cost. These op- supply, getting more than one or two ex- portunities would not have arisen if we were porters “competing” for your trees or even not working together as an industry to raise developing a u-pick operation. All these the profile of Balsam Fir as a healthy and take time, energy and an understanding part to the long term health of this indus- viable commodity. that current methods of growing Christ- try. As we look into how to increase the value of mas Trees, while perhaps successful in the We have therefore taken steps to bring our products, there are three levels that past, may not be successful today. Growers everyone in the NS industry in compliance must be examined. must adapt to the market. with the Christmas Tree Levy regulations While the last few years have not shown a and will be conducting audits throughout 1. On the larger retail scale, this involves the province this season. The levy is a very increasing real tree markets across North return to those who have invested in their tree lots, all signs point to a market that will small amount (1% of roadside sales) but America. Canadian exporters are support- allows us to be an organized and profes- ing this effort by contributing to the US be under-supplied this season (and for several seasons to come) and a fairly stable sional commodity group within the Prov- Check Off and in the past have voluntarily ince. And I would be remiss not to men- contributed to Operation Real Tree. This year and a favourable CDN-USD exchange rate. tion….IT’S THE LAW. will see the first large scale marketing cam- Those prepared to handle an increase in paign from the US-based Christmas Tree tree sales should see an immediate differ- I’ve been around the Council table for 13 Promotions Board aimed at increasing real ence. years and this is the most active and posi- tree sales south of the Canadian border. As we look to find new projects, we recog- tive that I have ever seen the industry. nize that everyone must contribute their Wishing everyone a successful season. 2 Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal October 2016 Volume 30 Number 1 NOVA SCOTIA Sarah Weston, BSc, MREM CHRISTMAS TREE JOURNAL Executive Director’s Report Industry Coordinator/ Volume 30, Number 1 Executive Director By Sarah Weston CTCNS JOURNAL COMMITTEE [email protected] Forrest Higgins, Mike Keddy, Dear growers and industry partners, (902)440-3988 Scott MacKinnon, Ross Pentz I hope you’ve been well and that it was a good growing season despite the drought and unfortunate fire hazards this summer. COORDINATOR, EDITOR Sheryl Dubois We’ve been busy continuing all major projects described last winter, working from the Strategic Plan to: CONTRIBUTORS (Stories, Photos) Increase the number of active growers in local associations Murray Crouse, James DeLong, Increase the number and value of domestic tree sales Sheryl Dubois, Forrest Higgins, Jonathan MacIssac, Scott MacKinnon, Increase the number and value of trees exported. Gena Priest, Matthew Priest, Journal: Ensuring a voice for growers remains the priority of the Journal. Nevertheless, Sarah Weston, Danielle Wile and the Journal has been revised to operate as a more effective communication tool be- Matthew Wright. Special thanks to tween growers and Council and on a more efficient budget. Welcome to Sheryl Dubois Muna ar-Rushdi and Fred Eidt of and thank you for all of your hard work! This is a work in progress – please contact Gryphon Hill Farms; The Copy Shop Sheryl at [email protected] with any input on format, (Sandra) for their patience, diligence features, etc. and attention to detail; Sarah Weston for the vision. Levy: Levy compliance activities are being increased this PRINTING The Copy Shop year to ensure compliance with the mandatory Christ- 61 Glendale Avenue, mas Tree Levy contained in the Forests Act. Brad Lower Sackville, NS, B4C 3J4 McCallum from the Agri-Commodity Management As- FRONT PAGE PHOTO Sarah Weston sociation will be leading this work and Nova Scotia Envi- ADVERTISING [email protected] ronment enforcement will also be engaged. HOW TO REACH US (Continued on page 4) [email protected] 902-252-8559 PAYMENTS [email protected] Krista Vroegh (902) 893-2293 Financial Services Coordinator, NSFA Perennia Innovation Park 60 Research Drive, Bible Hill, NS, B6L 2R2 The Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal - in its thirtieth (30th) Volume - is pub- lished by the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia, 60 Research Drive, Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, CANADA, B6L 2R2.