Paul Huesken, President
Paul started growing Christmas trees in 1987, during his 30-year career as an English and Phys Ed teacher. He is a long-time member of the Association. Paul and his wife Bev own and operate Woodsong Christmas Trees, located in the Columbia Valley, just south of Cultus Lake. Paul and Bev have three adult children: Amy, Daniel and Lindsay, who spent many years from childhood into their twenties helping to culture and sell trees on the family Christmas tree farm.
Jon Fast, Vice President
Jon has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and currently teaches a Graduate program in Industrial Arts and Applied Design for the Langley School District. Jon and wife Cynthia are the owner/operators of Red Trees Farm, a 10-acre farm located in Aldergrove, BC which they acquired from Jon’s parents in 2018. Jon and Cynthia are in the process of converting the farm from growing Japanese Maple trees to Christmas trees to fit their teaching lifestyle.
Al Neufeld, Secretary
Al has been involved in the Christmas tree industry since 1972, having recently retired from a 33-year career as a Landscape Architect in park planning, design and construction. Al and his wife Chris have owned and operated a 10-acre farm in south Langley since 1988 named Fernridge Christmas Tree Forest. The farm is a family operation with assistance from sons Chad, Scott and Kyle.
Leanna Anderson, Treasurer
Leanna and family operate Aldor Acres Christmas Tree Farm 5 minutes east of Fort Langley, growing several different varieties of Christmas trees at their u-cut and fresh cut retail farm. Their four adult children: Melissa, Brandon, Jason, Baxter as well many friends and neighbors have helped with farm activities during the different seasons.
Norm Karding, Director
Norm is a long-term member of the Association. His father started growing Christmas trees in 1964 on a farm located east of Mission. The farm is 80 acres in size, sells wholesale only and is currently operated on a full-time basis by Norm, his wife Michele and adult sons Stefan and Justin.
Brian Strohmann, Director
Brian and his wife Carolyne purchased their farm east of Osoyoos in 1993. After land clearing and irrigation installation, they planted their first trees in 1995. Brian recently retired from a 30-year career as a construction superintendent. With the help of their boys David and Nick, Brian and Carolyne produced a variety of trees that were wholesaled to various charities and retail outlets. They now operate Owl’s Roost Tree Farm as a U -Cut operation which is currently undergoing a replanting program while maintaining a stand of native Douglas fir.
Ryan Murphy, Director
Ryan Murphy is passionate about growing Christmas trees and started growing trees on his grandfather’s hobby farm. In 2004, Ryan planted Christmas trees in a field in Maple Ridge and subsequently purchased the property in 2014. They have since expanded their operation to include nursery stock and a U-pick orchard. Ryan and his wife Lysia operate Murphy’s Christmas Tree Farm & Orchid in Maple Ridge.
Carl Karding, Director
Carl Karding grew up on the family Christmas tree farm in the Mission area. As an adult he moved to Salmon Arm and in 2001 signed a lease with BC Hydro on 4 Kilometers of BC Hydro right of way for growing and harvesting Christmas trees. He also partners on a couple of plantations in the area and became a seedling broker in 2022 supplying growers throughout the Province. Carl and his wife Kim operate KarMac Christmas Trees with the help of Carl’s son Ken.
Charlie Willis, Director
Charlie Willis, was raised in Cranbrook and is carrying on the Christmas tree growing tradition his father started in 1940. Over the years, Charlie has developed a keen interest in growing quality trees in an eco-conscious manner which helps to improve the environment. Charlie has a love of nature and followed in his father’s footsteps by founding Kootenay Tree Farm Ltd. in the Cranbrook area.
Stephanie Bendo, Director