Sign In
Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
Buy Christmas trees locally, state says
Buy Christmas trees locally, state says
You’ve bought the local fruits and vegetables. Now the state Department of Agriculture is asking that you buy local when it comes to your Christmas tree, too.
To set an example, locally grown trees and wreaths are being displayed at all of the state’s welcome centers and Taste NY stores. In addition, trees from farms participating in the NY State Grown & Certified program are featured at the Empire State Plaza in Albany and two Greenmarkets in New York City.
“I’m so proud that New York State is showcasing our state’s Christmas tree growers at its Welcome Centers, Taste NY stores, farmers’ markets and other State buildings,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “Our hope is that when people see and smell a beautiful, fresh, locally grown New York State tree, they’ll be encouraged to support one of the many Christmas tree farms in their region.”
Consumers can identify places to buy local Christmas trees with help from the state online or by visiting the website of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York.
Each of the eight welcome centers is displaying a tree grown close to that location. Meanwhile, the Empire State Plaza Concourse has four Fraser fir trees produced by Zema’s Farm in Stephentown, Rensselaer County. And a tree from the Domes Tree Farm in Wyoming County is the focus of the annual holiday celebration at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building Plaza in Harlem.
Farms participating in the state grown and certified program receive help from the state in marketing their products. New York Christmas trees represent an $8 million industry. Some 875 farms in New York produce more than 300,000 trees, making New York the fourth in the nation for Christmas tree production.
[email protected]/(585) 363-7275
=
