{"id":361822,"date":"2026-08-01T13:40:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T13:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/seed-center-opening-marks-milestone-for-n-c-christmas-tree-industry-in-the-field\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T13:40:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T13:40:19","slug":"seed-center-opening-marks-milestone-for-n-c-christmas-tree-industry-in-the-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=361822","title":{"rendered":"Seed center opening marks milestone for N.C. Christmas tree industry \u2013 In the Field"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Tobacco Trust Fund Christmas Tree Seed Center of Excellence is officially open. A ribbon cutting at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services\u2019 Upper Mountain Research Station not only marked the formal grand opening, but also the beginning of a new chapter for North Carolina\u2019s Christmas tree industry.<\/p>\n

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From left, leader of NC State\u2019s Christmas Tree Genetics Program Dr. Justin Whitehill, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Chairman Bill Teague, NC State College of Natural Resources Dean Dr. Myron Floyd, NC State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Dean Dr. Garey Fox, NC State Professor Emeritus and Christmas tree geneticist Dr. John Frampton, NCDA&CS Research Stations Division Director Teresa Lambert, North Carolina Christmas Tree Association Executive Director Jennifer Greene, Research Stations Operations Manager Tracy Taylor and Superintendent of the Upper Mountain Research Station John Garner stand of the porch of the seed center to cut the ribbon on July 16.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

NCDA&CS and NC State University leaders joined Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler on July 16 to celebrate the facility, which will process and store the world\u2019s only certified Fraser fir seed developed through nearly three decades of research by NCDA&CS and NC State.<\/p>\n

The marquee moment came when representatives from NCDA&CS, NC State, the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association joined together for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening the seed center.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about much more than opening a building or opening a facility,\u201d said Myron Floyd, dean of NC State\u2019s College of Natural Resources. \u201cWe\u2019re celebrating the culmination of more than 30 years of research, innovation and collaboration. \u2026 As Alpha Select seeds reach growers this fall, decades of research are becoming real-world results.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project was made possible through grants from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, which funded construction of the building and later the specialized equipment needed to process Fraser fir seed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey invested over a million dollars in this facility,\u201d said Tracy Taylor, operations manager for NCDA&CS\u2019s Research Stations Division. \u201cMy message to you guys today is, you made a good investment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Taylor noted that the center has already processed and cleaned 140 pounds of Fraser fir seed, which he estimated is 3 to 4 million viable seeds that will support North Carolina growers for years to come.<\/p>\n

Bill Teague, chairman of the commission, said supporting the project aligned perfectly with the commission\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

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