MEDIA ADVISORY: Maryland Department of Agriculture Kicks Off Christmas Tree Promotion with Official Lighting of 20-foot Tree from Harford Co.

NNAPOLIS, MD (December 1, 2011) – Maryland Agriculture Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, joined by Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) staff, will kick off the State’s Christmas tree promotion with an official tree lighting ceremony at MDA headquarters in Annapolis today, Thursday, Dec. 1, at 4:00 p.m.

Christmas trees are a fresh, fragrant crop, designed to be cut and eventually returned to the earth. The MDA promotion of Christmas trees continues the agency’s efforts to encourage residents to “buy local” and follow environmentally sound agricultural practices. Artificial trees are usually petroleum based, imported from overseas and do not biodegrade. Buying locally grown trees, including choose and cut trees, supports family owned farms and businesses, preserves farmland, protects the environment, and keeps money in Maryland. In addition, the farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide wildlife habitat. While they’re growing, real Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen. After Christmas, trees can be recycled in a variety of ways, including being chipped into mulch that returns valuable nutrients to the soil. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture for Maryland, there are more than 200 Christmas tree growers in the state with nearly 3,000 acres in production. To find a Christmas tree farm near you, visit www.marylandsbest.net.

WHO:    MDA Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting and MDA Staff

WHAT:  MDA staff will light a decorated 20-foot white pine Christmas tree to encourage Marylanders to buy a real Christmas tree, rather than an artificial one, this holiday season. The tree was donated to MDA by Deer Creek Valley Tree Farm in Harford County. The farm’s owner Wilma Muir is also president of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association.

WHEN:           Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 at 4 p.m.

WHERE:        MDA Headquarters, 50 Harry Truman Parkway, Annapolis, 21401

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