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Governor Peter Shumlin selected and harvested a Christmas Tree Sunday, Nov. 30, from Isham Family Farm in Williston, Vt. Owner Mike Isham (pictured right) joined him for the selection.
Over 134,000 Christmas Trees are harvested in Vermont annually
Vermont’s Christmas tree industry received one of its early customers Sunday, Nov. 29, when Gov. Peter Shumlin arrived at Isham’s Family Farm in Williston to select and cut a tree for the state Pavilion Office Building in Montpelier.
The governor’s annual tree-cutting event not only signals the start of tree-hunting season for many Vermonters, but also draws some well-deserved attention to Vermont’s robust Christmas tree industry, which supplies over 134,000 trees to Vermonters and customers throughout New England and as far away as Bermuda.
Gov. Shumlin was joined by farm owner Mike Isham, a fifth-generation farmer, whose family has owned Isham Family Farm since 1871.
The farm was conserved with the Vermont Land Trust in 2002 by Mike’s father, David Isham. Today, the farm operates a diverse business, which includes hosting weddings and events in its historic, restored barn. Isham Family Farm also offers their own maple syrup, a pick-your-own berry patch, pumpkins, sweet corn, and a sunflower maze.
“What could be better than kicking off the holiday season at such a beautiful Vermont farm!” said Gov. Shumlin.
“Isham Family Farm is an outstanding example of how farmers are becoming more innovative–expanding into new ventures and creating authentic, agricultural experiences for their customers,” said Chuck Ross, Vermont’s Ag Secretary. “Businesses like this preserve the working landscape, while also creating economic opportunities for farm families. They also help promote ag literacy by bringing the next generation of Vermonters closer to agriculture.”
Isham’s Family Farm is one of 288 tree farms throughout the state of Vermont that collectively cultivate over 3,600 acres of trees, according to the USDA’s 2012 agricultural census.