RCTB/CTPB Seeks Board Member Candidates - Maine Christmas Tree Association

NEWS & UPDATES April 2, 2025

RCTB/CTPB Seeks Board Member Candidates

The RCTB/CTPB is seeking nominations for four board seats — one Eastern seat, one Central seat and two Western seats — effective January 1, 2026. Each position serves a three-year term. Producers can nominate themselves or be nominated by other producers, importers or organizations — such as state or national associations. Nominations are due to the RCTB/CTPB office by June 1, 2025.

To be eligible, nominees:

Must have domestically produced or imported more than 500 Christmas trees during the most recent fiscal period
Have paid all past and present assessments in full
Seek a nomination only in the region in which they produce the majority of their Christmas trees (for those who produce in more than one region)

Although the final appointment to the board is made by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, the CTPB is responsible for providing two nominees for each open seat.

Nomination forms are available here.

RCTB Committees

The RCTB Board, which is composed of growers from across the U.S as well as an importer member, is responsible for making the decisions related to grower programs. In partnership with the Board, RCTB’s six committees advance the work in each of their assigned areas and offer their recommendations to the Board. The committees offer growers from across the U.S. the opportunity to identify and address the concerns and opportunities within our industry. For the next few newsletters, we will feature each of the committees and their roles and responsibilities.

Research Committee – The Research Committee is responsible for planning and implementing all research programs, including consumer research, product research and more. Committee members review and score research proposals and partner with the Director of Research to determine which projects should be recommended to the board for funding.

Chair — Renee Beutell

Members:

Derek Ahl, WI
Avery Barr, NC
Renee Beutell, NC – Chair
Glenn Bustard, PA
Larry Downey, QC, Canada
Matthew Horney, NC
Jan Hupp. OR
Mike Jones, OR
Scott Powell, MI
Dan Raulston, GA
Mark Schmidlin, OR
Kirk Stroda, OR
Bob White, VT
Brad Wishon, NC/VA

RCTB Research Topic Survey Available Online

Real Christmas tree growers can play an important role in helping the RCTB Research Committee determine which pest and/or production issues should be addressed. Growers are encouraged to complete the 2025 Research Topic Survey for Growers. Data from this survey will be used by the committee to help determine which research proposals to fund.

Growers may complete the survey online using the link to Research Topic Survey for GrowersGoogle form or print the survey and email the completed version to research@realchristmastreeboard.org.

RCTB Webinars Available Online

As growers prepare for spring, RCTB would like to remind you that the RCTB-funded webinar series is available online. Topics include weed management, reducing cone formation in Fraser fir, deer management and repellants, best practices for controlling Phytophthora Root Tor, Elongate Hemlock Scale and how to use RCTB resources to your advantage.

Mark Your Calendars — Summer Meeting

RCTB will host an in-person board meeting on July 24, prior to the Cowboys and Christmas Trees 2025 National Summer Meeting in Michigan. RCTB will be in attendance at the event and growers are encouraged to stop by the RCTB booth. It’s the perfect opportunity to hear directly from growers across the nation about opportunities and challenges they have identified.

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