CORNWALL – This year will mark a milestone for local tree farm, Farmside Acres, as they will collect their 10,000th tree donated to Trees for Troops.
This is the 14th year the farm has collected donations for the Trees for Troops program, which brings farm-grown Christmas trees to U.S. troops and military families at military bases in the U.S. and overseas.
Farmside Acres has grown to be the largest collection point in New York State, and the trees collected at their farm are often shipped to the larger military bases across the United States, such as Fort Bragg, as the demand for a tree is so high.
The tree collection begins as soon as real trees are available – most retail lots begin selling the week of Thanksgiving. Donated trees are then dropped to Farmside Acres. On pickup day, FedEx arrives with five empty tractor trailers that are then filled to the brim with the collection, often nearing 1,500 trees – with the help of local schoolchildren, farmers, volunteer firefighters, and members of the 105th Airlift Wing.
Farmside Acres, located at 280 Angola Road, will be the only drop off location in Orange County. Consumers wishing to donate a tree can pick one up at their supplier of choice (tree farm or retail lot) and drop off at Farmside Acres. Be sure to leave your contact information in the box provided, as all donors are acknowledged in the Trees for Troops annual report.
Donors are able to write holiday messages, along with their contact information, so the military family can send a note or photo with their tree. The collection of trees will take place until Sunday, November 27.
For more information and directions, please contact Leigh Nannini at farmsideacres@gmail.com
