FARMING MATTERS PRESENTS:

Christmas Tree Growers’ Field Day

MAEAP PHASE ONE VERIFICATION/RUP CREDIT* MEETING

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Vultaggio Brothers Tree Farm (Find them on Facebook and Twitter)

2315 N. Haskins Road, Boon, MI 49618

RSVP 231.839.7193

1:00 pm- 1:15 pm Introduction/Greetings - Lorry Klinger will introduce herself; discuss the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (its funding, programs, benefits…).

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm What does a Fraser Fir and a Tensiometer have in Common? - Jill O’Donnell (MSU Extension) will discuss the use of tensiometers in irrigation and how to optimize growth of Fraser Fir.

1:45 pm – 2:15 pm Polytanks: Prevention of Catastrophic Failure - Cristina Curell (MSU Extension) will highlight the construction, design, attachments, and venting of polytanks. She will demonstrate a simple technique for testing the integrity or your current tank and review six questions everyone should ask when buying a new one.

2:15 pm – 2:45 pm MAEAP (Re)Verification News - Tom Young (MDA) will discuss the general MAEAP verification process along with the revisions that have occurred in the past several years for re-verification. He will outline the real benefits that go along with owning a MAEAP verified farm.

2: 45 pm – 3:00 pm Considering Larger Fuel Storage? - Then you may be interested while Roberta Dow (MSU Extension) discusses the pros and cons of increasing your fuel storage capacity.  Learn what you need to do to meet current regulations for both small and large fuel storage tanks.

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Stream-Lining the Inspection Process - Mike Bryan (MDA) will describe the process of submitting inspection requests by e-mail to put your plot into the queue for inspection faster and receiving notification of pass or fail quicker. His discussion will include such cost saving measures as providing maps and GPS coordinates to facilitate the inspection process.

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Walking Tour - Jill O’Donnell (MSU Extension) will discuss and demonstrate conifer diseases and insect pests that are common to the Christmas Tree Grower. Vince Vultaggio has graciously allowed us to tour one of his plots that has six species in various stages of growth.

*MAEAP Verification Phase One approved; 4 RUP credits given - private core, commercial core, forestry specialization or ornamental specialization.