2007 PRESS RELEASES

December 4, 2007
BRINGING IN THE GREENS
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820

This holiday season, the Executive Mansion in Richmond will be decked out in a winning combination of lush, locally grown greenery.  David Huffman (second from right), winner of the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association’s Grand Champion tree competition, wife Dreama (right) and grandson Dylan Francis (center), presented First Lady Anne Holton (second from left) with an 11-foot Fraser fir harvested from his Giles County Christmas tree operation, Spruce Ridge Tree Farm.  From Joe’s Trees in Craig County, Sue Huffman (left), winner of the Association’s wreath competition, added two wreaths ornamented with red ribbons and cardinals.  As Association grand champions, the two Huffmans earned the honor of providing the Governor’s tree and wreaths.  As with every Virginia Christmas tree, the one displayed at the Mansion will be replaced by two or three seedlings, making Christmas trees one of the state’s most renewable resources.  For information about fresh Virginia Grown Christmas trees, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has published the 2007 Virginia Grown Guide to Choose-and-Cut, Fresh-Cut and Live Christmas Trees, and free to the public by calling 804.371.0446, or by sending a request to VDACS, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.  Click here to explore the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association’s Web site.

(Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)