WORK & LIFE

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is a KAMAXian

If you have ever wondered, if Christmas trees grow in garden centers or retail stores. No! They are carefully raised by nature lovers. People like Walt Broecker!

Approaching its 75th year of operation, Broecker’s Christmas Tree Farm continues to be a family tradition in the Lapeer, Mich. area. It was founded in 1950 by Creighton Broecker and is now managed by Walt. The farm totals eighty acres, and is split in half by a river – making it difficult to grow traditional crops.

Walt is a forty-five year KAMAX Lapeer employee and the customer service advocate to make sure parts are delivered on time. He started as a header trainee and has since held nearly every job related to the production of material. His contribution is valuable to the success of KAMAX Lapeer, and he feels he is making a difference.

But when he is not in office or on shopfloor, you will most likely find him in mother nature. During the summer, Walt’s vacation is spent pruning and shaping each tree individually with a machete. A customer can give exact details of a special tree wish and he’ll know where to find it. All the trees are hand-planted as small saplings by Walt and his family, where they will grow on the farm until they are chosen and taken home and decorated for the holiday season.

Broecker’s Christmas Tree Farm has hundreds of visitors, most of which continue to return year after year. “Christmas is the most joyful time of the year and it is great to see the same faces again over time”, explains Walt. Many of his customers have made it a part of their tradition to get a picture with Santa’s helper. Some drive more than an hour to reach the farm. Over time Walt has had some funny experiences, such as helping customers tie a 25ft (7.6m) tree to the top of their SUV.

Walt and his newly marriaged wife (Nov 12), Kara, pose by the hand-woven wreath and grave blankets display

An old US Army truck transports guests and trees around the property

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KXpress · 2021 | 02