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A Brief History of the WVCTGA
In the late 1940’s, several farmers noticed the need for Christmas trees around the holidays. Once they planted their trees, it was evident that an association was needed to bring this unique group of farmers together. On June 23, 1954, the West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association was established in a little restaurant right outside of Beverly, WV.
After eating lunch, a farm tour was provided by the organizer, Mr. Frank Thompson. During this first meeting, a constitution was adopted, and a Board of Directors were elected. The first Directors were (President – Gilbert Martin, Vice President – Frank Thompson, Secretary & Treasurer – Phillip Berthy). The WVCTGA’s first newsletter came soon after in August 1954.
During the first couple of active years, the membership hovered between 25-35 members. The 1960’s and 1970’s were a pivotal time for our association. Membership quickly grew to over 100 members, and Bi-annual meeting were put in place every summer and winter.
Even though the trend of artificial Christmas trees were growing in America, WVCTGA members continued to raise and produce a superior product compared to a “fake metal tree”, according to longtime member Gene Bailey. The 1980’s continued to be strong for our association. With membership still over 100, the association saw a change from Wholesale farms to Choose & Cut farms. More families were wanting to come cut their own tree instead of going to a retail market and picking one out.
The 1990’s and 200’s saw a decline in membership due to various reasons. Farmers who helped build the association were starting to retire, and the artificial Christmas tree was becoming more popular with the ease of purchase from the internet and big box stores. With membership now just over 50, the WVCTGA continues to not only help its members, but the community as well. The association offers financial assistance to several scholarship and youth camps every year. A quarterly newsletter is produced along with our bi-annual meetings.
Even though times have changed, the WVCTGA’s code of ethics remain the same as the beginning. To provide a high-quality Christmas tree for the general public, while acting in harmony with nature to produce his/her crop in conformity with positive principles of wise land use and conservation.
A Brief History of the WVCTGA
In the late 1940’s, several farmers noticed the need for Christmas trees around the holidays. Once they planted their trees, it was evident that an association was needed to bring this unique group of farmers together. On June 23, 1954, the West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association was established in a little restaurant right outside of Beverly, WV.
After eating lunch, a farm tour was provided by the organizer, Mr. Frank Thompson. During this first meeting, a constitution was adopted, and a Board of Directors were elected. The first Directors were (President – Gilbert Martin, Vice President – Frank Thompson, Secretary & Treasurer – Phillip Berthy). The WVCTGA’s first newsletter came soon after in August 1954.
During the first couple of active years, the membership hovered between 25-35 members. The 1960’s and 1970’s were a pivotal time for our association. Membership quickly grew to over 100 members, and Bi-annual meeting were put in place every summer and winter.
Even though the trend of artificial Christmas trees were growing in America, WVCTGA members continued to raise and produce a superior product compared to a “fake metal tree”, according to longtime member Gene Bailey. The 1980’s continued to be strong for our association. With membership still over 100, the association saw a change from Wholesale farms to Choose & Cut farms. More families were wanting to come cut their own tree instead of going to a retail market and picking one out.
The 1990’s and 200’s saw a decline in membership due to various reasons. Farmers who helped build the association were starting to retire, and the artificial Christmas tree was becoming more popular with the ease of purchase from the internet and big box stores. With membership now just over 50, the WVCTGA continues to not only help its members, but the community as well. The association offers financial assistance to several scholarship and youth camps every year. A quarterly newsletter is produced along with our bi-annual meetings.
Even though times have changed, the WVCTGA’s code of ethics remain the same as the beginning. To provide a high-quality Christmas tree for the general public, while acting in harmony with nature to produce his/her crop in conformity with positive principles of wise land use and conservation.