Media Advisory: Maryland Department of Agriculture Kicks Off Christmas Tree Promotion with Carroll Co. Tree Farm Visit & Official Lighting of Maryland-Grown White Pine

Applewood Christmas Tree Farm in Harford County

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance will kick off the State’s Christmas tree promotion with two special events. First, he will select and cut his family’s Christmas tree at Pine Valley Farms in Sykesville (Carroll County) on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 2:30 p.m. Then he will lead an official tree lighting ceremony at MDA headquarters in Annapolis on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 4:30 p.m. The 18-foot white pine was donated by Deer Creek Valley Tree Farm in Harford County, owned by Bob and Wilma Muir. This is the third year the Muirs have donated a Christmas tree to MDA for the promotion in partnership with the Maryland Christmas Tree Association.

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.”

Buying a real Maryland Christmas tree not only supports our Maryland farmers, but is also the overall best “green” choice for the environment and local economy. While they’re growing, Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen, unlike artificial trees which are typically made in China and are petroleum-based. 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.

Event #1

When: Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m.

Who: MDA Secretary Buddy Hance will kick off the holiday season by visiting a Maryland family farm to cut his family’s own fresh, real, local tree for the holidays.

Where: Pine Valley Farm, 1150 Fannie Dorsey Road, Sykesville, MD http://www.pinevalleyfarms.com/

Event #2

When: Thursday, Dec. 5, at 4:30 p.m.

Who: MDA Secretary Buddy Hance, Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting and MDA staff will light a decorated 18-foot white pine Christmas tree to encourage Marylanders to buy real Christmas trees, rather than artificial ones, this holiday season. The tree was donated to MDA by Deer Creek Valley Tree Farm in Harford County. The Muirs are members of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association.

Where: In front of MDA Headquarters, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, 21401

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