FREEHOLD, NJ – The Division of Economic Development of Monmouth Country recently launched an interactive Christmas Tree Farm Directory as a way for residents and visitors to pick their own tree and support local agriculture this holiday season. The directory is the latest addition to the “Grown in Monmouth” program and can be accessed at www.growninmonmouth.com

“This is a great tool, and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The ‘Grown in Monmouth’ program has already successfully connected consumers with local farmers for the harvest season. Now our residents have a comprehensive tool to guarantee they will find the perfect holiday tree, while resting assured that it is locally grown.”

Thirteen Monmouth Country Christmas tree farms are listed on the new interactive map throughout the county, providing a range of options for tree shoppers. A user can click on any farm location and a map with the address, hours of operation, phone number and links to Facebook and farm websites, as well as additional amenities each farm offers for the holiday season, such as visits with Santa, wagon rides to the trees, hot food and holiday gifts and crafts will appear.

The Directory also includes information on which farms allow tree tagging, when families can come to tag their tree and when they can cut it at a later date.

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Agricultural Board and longtime supporter of farmland preservation said, “The Christmas Tree Directory is just the latest in the exciting development in our ‘Grown in Monmouth’ program. The Board of Freeholders remains committed to supporting our farmlands and the local agricultural community.”

In the fall of 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture awarded the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders a Rural Business Enterprise Grant to assess the rural agricultural industry in Monmouth County, evaluate current trends and future opportunities to expand the industry, and to develop a marketing strategy to promote and market local agricultural products. The ‘Grown in Monmouth’ initiative is designed to help retain and grow the county’s agriculture industry and provide business skills assistance to our agricultural community.

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