Dear Christmas Tree Growers,
Being farmers, we have seen the benefits of better farming methods, better products, and better marketing through the corn, soybean, and hog checkoff programs that we have participated in. The list of such check-off systems is long and varied – cattle, wheat, dairy, watermelon, cotton, and so on. Long ago, these farmers realized that they could best promote their product if they joined hands with other like-kind producers. Now, the Christmas tree industry has the same chance to become a stronger industry.
The Christmas Tree Promotion Board (CTPB) is asking the industry to work together to combat our declining market share lost to the fake tree. The checkoff has been in place for three years and we need to protect that investment in our future. We’ve got a great tagline: “It’s Christmas, Keep It Real!” And the promotion programs have been exciting and well-received. Millions of people learned, or had the message reinforced, that real, farm-grown Christmas trees are “in” now even more than ever. Grown in the USA, renewable, sustainable, 100% recyclable, best for the environment! These features are important to millennials, but still, over half of them think a fake tree is better for the environment. We, the tree farmers, need to tell them that real trees are best. We tell our own customers, but we need a national program to reach millions of people… and the messages need to be on their smartphones. This is what the checkoff has been doing and needs to continue to do.
We also need the CTPB Research Committee to continue and expand research on the genetics of keeping trees better and longer after they are cut. Researching bugs, diseases, and genetics takes years. Where’s that money going to come from? The check-off. With the check-off, our industry can guarantee dollars over a long period of time to use for this research.
We have to promote the wonderful memories our industry creates, and we need a national promotion – more than can be done on our farms.
Vote YES on the referendum!
The Richardsons, Robert & Carol, George & Wendy, Ryan & Kristen – 5th and 6th generations on the farm
Richardson Christmas Trees
Spring Grove, Illinois