Preserving an Evergreen Future: The Partnership Between the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario and Christmas Tree Lab
Authors: Alison Clarke, Dr. Kelsey Leonard, CTFO
The Christmas Tree Lab is pleased to announce its partnership with the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario (CTFO). This partnership represents a union of research and the preservation of tradition, with the goal of advancing the Christmas tree industry in Ontario. CTFO’s commitment to cooperative efforts and practical solutions for Christmas tree production while ensuring the sustainability of the industry aligns perfectly with our lab’s research initiatives.
The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario is a non-profit organization funded by farmers who specialize in growing Christmas trees. CTFO holds a critical role in maintaining the cherished tradition of Christmas trees by supporting farmers in their operations, and connecting families to their local farms. Their mission is to provide cooperative efforts and exchange experiences to find solutions for the production, marketing, and retailing of Ontario-grown Christmas trees. They support growers by providing educational materials and hosting events to further facilitate learning and networking among members. Additionally, they offer various resources and educational materials for consumers, teachers and students to learn more about Christmas trees and their local farms.
This partnership was established through the passing of a motion for collaboration by the membership of the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario at their annual meeting held March 22, 2024 at Somerville Nurseries. Specifically, the resolution establishes the connection between the two organizations, as CTFO aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of Ontario’s Christmas tree industry, and the Christmas Tree Lab conducts research on sustainability, climate change indicators and adaptive capacity in Christmas tree cultivation.
Establishing this partnership is a great step forward in achieving both of our goals. It has already facilitated the sharing of knowledge and fostered valuable connections with farmers across Ontario, expanding the outreach of our project. For our lab, CTFO has been an excellent partner in aiding us to establish connections with Christmas Tree farmers across Ontario. Additionally, they’ve supported the outreach of our project and granted us the opportunity to share our research across their various channels. For CTFO and the Christmas Tree farm industry, we hope that our work will support farmers, and provide them with valuable insights that could aid their farming operations in changing climate conditions. We are confident that our collaborative efforts will uplift the Christmas tree farming community and contribute to its enduring success. Together, we are supporting each other's goals for an evergreen future, ensuring that the tradition of the Christmas tree continues to thrive for generations to come.