The Ukraine comes to visit.
In late November 1996, a small group of visitors from the Ukraine, a former Soviet State,
came to Shady Pond to learn about Christmas tree production. They included Dr. Pavel
Khrienko, Nikolai Gavrilyuk, Anna Onischuk, Svetlana Titova and Arteom Zilbervarg.
Dr. Khrienko is professor of Agrarian Sociology and Economics at the Crimean Agricultural
Institute in Simferopol, and Mr. Gavrilyuk is a graduate of the Institute, one of the founders of
the Crimean Private Farmers Association, and leader of the Crimean Rural Democratic Party.
Anna is a student at the Crimean Agricultural Institute studying international agrarian
development. She is also active in organizing a student group modeled after the FFA. Svetlana and Arteom are exchange students attending high school in Pearl River and Midland, Louisiana, respectively.
Our Ukraine visitors came to learn about the planting, trimming, and marketing techniques used
at Shady Pond. All agreed that Christmas trees seemed to be a viable crop for the Crimean
region.
The tour was arranged by Doug Fischer and Bradley Leger, Agriscience/Agribusiness instructors
at Pearl River and Midland high schools.