CAS' Brett Crosby recently delivered risk management information and tools to Christmas tree growers attending the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association's Winter Meeting and Trade Show at Boone United Methodist Church in Boone, NC on March 6, 2010.

Mr. Crosby began his presentation by first introducing general risk and risk management principles, followed by a discussion of Christmas tree-specific risk considerations and risk management practices. He next provided attendees with an introduction to the Christmas Tree Risk Analysis Tool (CTRAT).

The CTRAT is a Microsoft Excel based decision support tool that models a Christmas tree operation and provides producers with key operating summaries as well as “what-if” type decision support capabilities. Attending producers were also told about the ChristmasTreeRiskManagement.com website that provides risk management information and tools to America's Christmas tree producers.