December 5, 2006
Florida-Grown Christmas Trees Presented To Governor Bush And Commissioner Bronson
The Florida Christmas Tree Association today presented Christmas trees to Governor Jeb Bush and Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson. The trees will remain on display in The Capitol throughout the holiday season.
The Red Cedars were donated by Jack and Judy Ewing, owners of Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis, and presented on behalf of the Florida Christmas Tree Association, which has more than 100 family members and represents Christmas tree producers statewide. The association educates producers and promotes fresh, Florida-grown trees to the public.
“Buying homegrown Florida Christmas trees helps support our farmers and its boosts our state’s economy,” Bronson said. “In addition, buying locally grown trees is better for the environment because less fuel is used in transportation.”
An estimated 20,000 trees are grown in Florida each year and include Red Cedar, Virginia Pine, Sand Pine, Spruce Pine, Arizona Cypress and Leyland Cypress. Christmas tree farming in Florida is a small industry run by family-owned businesses on land that has often been passed through generations.
Jack and Judy Ewing started their Christmas tree farm on 13 acres in 1987.
“Over the years we have added features to our choose-and-cut farm,” Jack Ewing said. “We make a family’s trip to cut their Christmas tree into an entertaining adventure. They not only can get their tree, but they can visit our craft shop, take horse, pony or miniature horse cart rides, roast a hot dog on the fire, take a hay ride or play on the haystack. On the busy weekends, we entertain up to 1,500 people a day. Santa Claus visits our farm during the first weeks of December to greet children and receive their wish lists.”
For more information on Florida Christmas trees, visit www.Florida-Agriculture.com or www.flchristmastrees.com.
For more information:
Terence McElroy
(850) 488-3022
mcelrot@doacs.state.fl.us
