Michigan's busy sales period for Christmas trees is nearly here.
Earlier today state leaders celebrated the start of the season at an Ottawa County farm. It is a farm that continues to help one family survive the changing economy.
John Vormittage's parents started planting Christmas trees on their farm when they purchased it in 1953. As a boy John helped work in the 60 acre field, 30 acres of that field are devoted to Christmas trees.
Initially choosing a career in manufacturing, Michigan's economic troubles forced John to reconsider life on the farm. John is now a full-time tree farmer and part of Michigan's agriculture industry.
On Friday Don Koivisto, Michigan's Agricultural Director, visited the Vormittag farm to trumpet Michigan's 40-million dollar Christmas tree business.
Koivisto says Michigan farmers harvest 3-million trees annually. Those trees end up in homes from here to Florida. He see Michigan's agricultural business growing and Christmas trees are a large part of that success and one of the few sectors with double digit growth.
Given the chance to go back to the shop or keep farming, John says he'll stay right there on the farm.
WZZM
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