STATE'S CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS HOLD ANNUAL MEETING AT JACKSON

With only 162 days until Christmas, the Missouri Christmas Tree Producers Association held their annual summer meeting Saturday near Jackson.

About 100 growers representing 50 farms from around the state attended the convention at the Meier Horseshoe Pines Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm on County Road 330 west of Jackson.

In addition to the tree producers, wholesalers and distributors of Christmas-tree-farm-related merchandise also were on hand exhibiting products and techniques. Also present were merchandisers of wreath fabrics and ribbons and other products that complement trees or wreaths.

Tree producers also participated in seminars dealing with shearing and applying chemicals to trees and farm safety. Some of the participants also entered the wreath and tree contest that determined whose farm would be selected to provide this year's Christmas tree for the governor's mansion.

"We're also discussing the national convention which is coming up next year in Kansas City," said Teresa Meier, a hostess of the meeting.

Meier said tree producers from around the country will converge on Kansas City in August 1996 for a national convention. And because Missouri is hosting the event, tree producers from the state had a general membership and executive meetings to discuss plans for the convention, she said.

Meier said the annual meetings are held at different farms each summer.