NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004


One Forage Leader Supports Another

New Holland, long recognized as "first in grassland farming," is proud that its equipment has been chosen to help another grassland leader raise funds to help with the work it does for the industry. The American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) is an international organization which aspires to be the leader and voice of economically and environmentally sound forage-focused agriculture. It consists of 24 affiliate councils in the United States and Canada and has a membership of about 4,000 individuals.

The AFGC raffle prize is a New Holland BB940A standard big square baler. Tandem axle and optional CropCutter™ system as shown in photo is for illustration only.

 

To raise funds for the organization, the AFGC has selected a New Holland big square baler to raffle in conjunction with the 2005 annual meeting in Bloomington, IL. No more than 1,000 tickets will be sold, at a cost of $100 each.

The raffle drawing will be held at the AFGC Awards Banquet in Bloomington on June 14, 2005. The winner does not have to be present to win.

Learn more about the raffle and the baler by calling the AFGC office toll-free at (800) 944-2342 or Ron Tombaugh at (309) 531-4229. You may also contact your local AFGC affiliate council representative or visit www.afgc.org or www.illinoisforage.org for more information.


A Traditional Christmas Begins With a Real Tree

That's the message the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) is spreading in its new multi-year market expansion campaign designed to recapture market share and sales of real Christmas trees. Consumer sales tracking data shows that in recent years, real trees have been losing market share to artificial trees, which are manufactured mainly in China. The strategy behind the NCTA campaign is to build on the emotional connection people have with Christmas and promote real trees as an integral part of that nostalgic experience.

Pam Helmsing (left) is replacing Don Evashenko (right), who is retiring after seven years as the Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Association.

 

More than 1,000 growers and retailers from more than six different countries celebrated the organization's 50th anniversary when they attended the association's 23rd Biennial Convention hosted by the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association. During the convention, Pam Helmsing was named as the Executive Director of the NCTA, replacing retiring Don Evashenko, who had served in that role for seven years.