Harrowsmith, Ont. tree farmers celebrate 10 years in the business – Kingston

It’s an event for the entire household to take pleasure in — deciding on a Christmas tree. For a lot of, it’s an annual custom.

“We simply suppose it’s one thing that it’s best to do yearly,” says Christmas tree shopper Josh Switzer. “Simply go get an actual tree, it makes the home scent good and we adore it.”

For the Bowen household, the Christmas custom of choosing out a tree is adopted by adorning, apple cider and vacation films.

“Enormous success,” says Richelle Bowen, accompanied by her husband and two youngsters. “We discovered one (tree) actually fast truly, which doesn’t occur yearly. Ya, it was excellent.”

Jim Lavers and his household are celebrating 10 years as farmers, proudly owning and working The Christmas Farm in Harrowsmith, Ont. — now with about 10,000 bushes within the floor.

And into their second weekend of gross sales for the season, enterprise is choosing up.

“Usually we promote out inside three weekends and we’re accomplished,” Lavers says. “So, I don’t suppose it’s going to be any completely different this 12 months. So subsequent weekend perhaps might be our final weekend.”

Whereas his son Joe continues to be deciding whether or not to take over the household enterprise, Jim has seen a spot within the Christmas tree market as a result of farmers growing old out.

“Our suppliers in Nova Scotia have been within the enterprise for 50 years,” says Lavers. “Subsequent 12 months goes to be the final 12 months that we’re going to have the ability to get bushes from them as a result of they’re of their 80s now and no one within the household is seeking to truly take over the enterprise.”

Lavers says that’s occurring in a number of the farms throughout Canada — alongside an increase in prices to provide bushes.

“It’s costing extra to develop the darn issues yearly,” Lavers says. “You’re taking a look at enormous will increase in fertilizer costs, you’re taking a look at enormous will increase in gas costs and it’s on and on and on.”

At The Christmas Farm, the value of bushes went up $5 per dimension class this 12 months.

Lavers says an excellent relationship with suppliers has allowed him to stop the value from climbing even greater.

He says he’s felt the assist of local people members, having over 8,000 guests to the farm final season.

One of many household’s best helps comes within the type of his 91-year-old mother-in-law, Oma, who checks in on gross sales each evening.

“She loves to listen to what number of bushes we’ve offered each day, she’s been an enormous affect and our largest fan.”

With no plans of stopping any time quickly, this household farm hopes to proceed offering vacation cheer for neighborhood members for years to come back.

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