On Wednesday, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler signaled the start of the Christmas tree harvest season with a ceremonial tree lighting in Laurel Springs at the Upper Mountain Research Station. The event was held at the Research Station’s Tobacco Trust Fund Christmas Tree Seed Center.
“What a way to kick it off the season, with the generous support of the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund,” said Troxler. “The Tobacco Trust Fund’s mission is to invest in communities and create new opportunities for success for farmers, and I believe this Seed Center will achieve that. Thank you to the NC Tobacco Trust Fund for making it possible to buy equipment for this building to advance this important work. I look forward to coming back to Laurel Springs in the not-too-distant future and officially opening this facility.”
During the ceremony, the NC Tobacco Trust Fund presented a check for $577,467 to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (NCDA&CS) to fund Upper Mountain Research Station. The funds are specifically earmarked to purchase equipment for the seed center.
“The Department of Agriculture requested funds to put equipment into the facility that will be housed at the Upper Mountain Research Station, so the funding goes towards all the equipment necessary to process seed for the Christmas tree industry,” Jeff Camden, Program Officer for the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, told the Carolina Journal.
The Carolina Journal asked Camden about the specific dollar amount of the grant.
“What we require of all of our grants is to give us estimates of the costs associated with their project,” said Camden. “In this project, it’s all equipment, so the Department of Agriculture has received strong estimates of what the equipment will cost, and it’s not normally rounded up or down. It’s to the penny, so that’s why it’s where it is because each piece of equipment is kind of a known cost.”
Finally, Camden addressed why the Commission wanted to help fund the Seed Center.
“One, is it’s a major commodity for the state of North Carolina and supporting North Carolina farmers is most important,” continued Camden. “Burley (a type of tobacco) was a big commodity up in the mountains, and when that went away, many producers were looking for alternative crops. Christmas trees fit in this environment and this part of the state, so supporting the former tobacco growers is most important to the Commission.”
The Seed Center is projected to be completed soon and will help to establish an NC Fraser Fir Christmas tree seedling source for growers. Before the program, attendees had the opportunity to take a tram ride through the research station and Mistletoe Meadow Farms to see Christmas Trees.
“The state of North Carolina began a Christmas tree breeding program in 1977, and improving Christmas trees is a very slow process because they grow really slowly,” Tracy Taylor, Superintendent of Upper Mountain Research Station, told the Carolina Journal. “We’re at a point now where the newest and the best genetics available from the Christmas tree breeding program are planted in a seed orchard at Upper Mountain Research Station, and the purpose of the Seed Center is to make these elite genetics available industry-wide to Christmas tree producers.”
According to a press release, the sale of locally grown Christmas trees will be significant to the economy of the western part of the state due to the damage sustained by Helene. However, earlier this month, the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association told the Carolina Journal that it does not expect the aftermath of Helene to significantly impact the supply of NC Fraser Fir Christmas Trees this season.
“When people drive by the research station and look up at this lighted tree, I hope it is seen as a testament to the resilience of Western North Carolina and as a symbol of hope for a brighter future,” continued Troxler. “I want to make this an annual tradition and celebration of bringing the community together.”
Additionally, a Fraser Fir will once again adorn the Blue Room of the White House this season. This is the second consecutive year and the 16th time overall that an NC Christmas tree will decorate the White House.
“Tourism and agritourism, especially in the fall and around the holiday season, are big economic drivers here,” said Troxler. “As we gather today to celebrate the start of the harvest season for Christmas trees, I want to call on North Carolinians to support our Christmas tree growers by buying a real Christmas tree this year. Supporting western NC farms and businesses, will help this area recover and ensure that these businesses can continue to thrive and contribute to the community.”
Dignitaries who joined Troxler for the ceremony included Myron Floyd, Dean of North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Natural Resources; Garey Fox, Dean of NCSU College of Agriculture; Jennifer Greene, executive director of the NC Christmas Tree Association; and representatives from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund.