New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball led the Department’s 10th annual tree-cutting event at Bell’s Christmas Trees in Accord, New York. The farm, which is part of the NYS Grown & Certified program, provided a 9-foot Fralsam Fir that will be displayed at the Hudson Valley | Catskills Welcome Center during December. The event highlights New York’s Christmas tree industry and its $14 million economic impact on the state.
Commissioner Ball said, “Our annual tree-cutting tradition is not only a great way to kick off the holiday season, but it’s also a chance to remind New Yorkers of the high-quality, home-grown products they can purchase to celebrate the holidays while supporting New York State’s top-notch and diverse agricultural industry. I encourage everyone looking for the perfect Christmas tree or gift to shop local this year in support of their neighbors and this important agricultural sector.”
Representatives from Ulster County, Cornell Cooperative Extension offices, and members of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York joined Commissioner Ball and Bell’s Christmas Trees owner Brian Bell for the ceremony. Bell’s Christmas Trees is one of 46 NYS Grown & Certified tree farms in New York that follow environmental sustainability standards.
Bell’s Christmas Trees opens after Thanksgiving and offers visitors 12 varieties of trees as well as potted options for planting after the holidays. Their gift shop sells ornaments, decorations, locally made maple syrup, honey, hand-crafted items, wreaths, and greenery. More information about their offerings can be found at bellschristmastrees.com.
The selected tree will be decorated with a NYS Grown & Certified topper at the Hudson Valley | Catskills Welcome Center starting December 8. All regional Welcome Centers and Taste NY Markets across New York will display locally grown trees or wreaths this season to promote state agriculture. Taste NY Markets offer local food and gifts such as specialty foods and craft beverages produced within New York State; details are available at taste.ny.gov.
At the State Capitol in Albany, a holiday tree grown in Ballston Lake stands about 40 feet tall and will be lit during a festival on December 7. Four additional ten-foot fir trees from McDonough’s Farm in East Greenbush will also be featured at Empire State Plaza Concourse.
Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of the Office of General Services (OGS), stated: “Every holiday season, the Empire State Plaza and New York State Capitol are adorned with beautiful trees grown locally in the Capital Region. OGS is proud to maintain a long-standing festive tradition of working with New York families and farms to provide trees that bring joy to our state’s communities. We are grateful to the Christopher family for donating this year’s holiday tree at the Capitol, and we look forward to having New Yorkers from across the state join us at the Tree Lighting and Fireworks Festival on Sunday, December 7.”
Earlier this month, a Norway Spruce from East Greenbush was sent by truck to become this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in Manhattan.
According to industry data from The Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, over 875 farms operate nearly 20,000 acres dedicated to growing trees statewide—ranking sixth nationally by number of farms—and contributing an estimated $14 million annually through sales.
The Hudson Valley | Catskills Welcome Center promotes local products including food items like jams and maple products along with regional merchandise such as shirts or mugs since opening in 2018 near Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Orange County. The center features video displays highlighting tourism destinations plus seasonal promotions like storewide discounts on Black Friday through Small Business Saturday or coupon codes online via ShopTasteNY.com.
Brian Bell commented: “Our family values tradition and we are proud to be a part of the traditional tree cutting with Commissioner Ball and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. It is an honor to be part of this event highlighting real New York Christmas trees.”
Michael Naccarato added: “When you buy a New York-grown Christmas tree, you’re boosting the local economy, supporting a family business, and getting a beautiful high-quality product…shop at a local Christmas tree farm – you won’t be disappointed.”
Kim McDonnell noted: “We’re thrilled to showcase a local Christmas tree…at our Welcome Center this holiday season…It’s more important than ever to shop local…”
Colleen Monaghan remarked: “Year-round…the Hudson Valley | Catskills Welcome Center…showcases all that is best about our region…We’re excited…to add a local Christmas tree…for visitors…”
Senator Michelle Hinchey said: “Buying local is one of best things we can do…It’s exciting that a tree from Bell’s…will be featured…We encourage every New Yorker…and visitor…to check out…and support…a New York farm business…”
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger stated: “Bell’s Christmas Trees has been part my family’s holiday tradition for more than twenty years…it’s about supporting local agriculture…and…the economy…I’m proud see Bell’s recognized…”
Erin Enouen said: “As farmer myself…I was drawn into public service by desire preserve our agricultural heritage…Bell’s embodies that spirit…”
NYS Grown & Certified began in 2016 assuring consumers that food labeled under its program meets higher safety standards; participation requires adherence both food safety protocols environmental management programs across multiple commodities (more details can be found at certified.ny.gov). Taste NY has generated over $100 million economic impact since launching in 2013 through events retail locations partnerships supporting over two thousand five hundred producers throughout its history.
