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Christmas tree farmer donates $1 million to OSU
An OSU grad, Schudel's Holiday Tree Farms is the largest commercial grower of holiday trees in the world
Cambrie Caldwell
Issue date: 1/8/09 Section: News
Hal Schudel, founder of Holiday Tree Farms, has recently donated $1 million to OSU.
Schudel founded his business of premium cut Christmas trees back in 1955 and named his establishment Holiday Tree Farms.
Now, 54 years later, the company is the largest commercial grower of holiday trees in the world and is located here in Corvallis.
Schudel has since handed over the keys of operation to his three sons, who strive to maintain the level of quality and the goals set down by their father. Their mission known to the hundreds of thousands of customers located across the nation and in many places around the world is to pledge honesty, integrity and the highest quality products with personal service.
While Schudel's sons operate the busy, year-round business of providing trees the world with its high demand for traditional holiday trees, Schudel and his wife have pledged $1 million to OSU for scholarships.
Schudel attended the University of Nebraska during the Great Depression and graduated with a bachelor's degree thanks to a $500 scholarship that was awarded to him. He has not forgotten that generosity, and now seeks to help aid today's generation of college students.
"I know what scholarships did for me personally, and I know what challenges young people are facing today," Schudel said. "There are some great kids out there, but they need to be given a little boost, so they, too, can follow their dreams."
For over 40 years, trees grown at Holiday Tree Farms have been taking grand prizes in national, state, industry and local shows and fairs. From rearing seedlings on location in its own nursery to harvesting fresh-cut trees, Holiday has remained a vital part of the tree industry. They not only pride themselves on quality, but on service and integrity as well.
Schudel received a fellowship at Oregon State, where he earned a Ph.D. in agronomy. Afterwards, Schudel taught at the school for several years. After creating a pioneering business that harvests over one million trees every year, Schudel's farm of over 10,000 acres of Christmas trees has become Oregon's largest producer. It is now operated by three generations of Schudels, all of whom value honesty, integrity and community.
By donating to OSU, the Schudel family is helping the university meet its $100 million scholarship goal. As of now, more than $72 million has been raised for students in need.
Cambrie Caldwell, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Schudel founded his business of premium cut Christmas trees back in 1955 and named his establishment Holiday Tree Farms.
Now, 54 years later, the company is the largest commercial grower of holiday trees in the world and is located here in Corvallis.
Schudel has since handed over the keys of operation to his three sons, who strive to maintain the level of quality and the goals set down by their father. Their mission known to the hundreds of thousands of customers located across the nation and in many places around the world is to pledge honesty, integrity and the highest quality products with personal service.
While Schudel's sons operate the busy, year-round business of providing trees the world with its high demand for traditional holiday trees, Schudel and his wife have pledged $1 million to OSU for scholarships.
Schudel attended the University of Nebraska during the Great Depression and graduated with a bachelor's degree thanks to a $500 scholarship that was awarded to him. He has not forgotten that generosity, and now seeks to help aid today's generation of college students.
"I know what scholarships did for me personally, and I know what challenges young people are facing today," Schudel said. "There are some great kids out there, but they need to be given a little boost, so they, too, can follow their dreams."
For over 40 years, trees grown at Holiday Tree Farms have been taking grand prizes in national, state, industry and local shows and fairs. From rearing seedlings on location in its own nursery to harvesting fresh-cut trees, Holiday has remained a vital part of the tree industry. They not only pride themselves on quality, but on service and integrity as well.
Schudel received a fellowship at Oregon State, where he earned a Ph.D. in agronomy. Afterwards, Schudel taught at the school for several years. After creating a pioneering business that harvests over one million trees every year, Schudel's farm of over 10,000 acres of Christmas trees has become Oregon's largest producer. It is now operated by three generations of Schudels, all of whom value honesty, integrity and community.
By donating to OSU, the Schudel family is helping the university meet its $100 million scholarship goal. As of now, more than $72 million has been raised for students in need.
Cambrie Caldwell, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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