Florida Cabinet Celebrates Holidays With Florida-Grown Christmas Trees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Continuing a long-standing tradition, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam presented Florida-grown Virginia Pine Christmas trees to Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today at a ceremony preceding the Cabinet Meeting.

“It’s a pleasure to present these beautiful Florida-grown Christmas trees to my fellow Cabinet members in honor of the holiday season,” said Commissioner Putnam. “When we purchase locally grown Christmas trees and other agricultural products, we’re supporting our local economy.”

The trees, which will be on display in the Plaza Level of the Capitol through the month of December, were provided by the Sellars family of Havana Christmas Tree Farms in Havana, Florida. Every year, Floridians harvest approximately 16,000 trees from the state’s more than100 Christmas tree farms.

At the ceremony, Lisa Comingore, a recently hired Tallahassee resident, assisted Governor Scott in lighting the Christmas tree in the reception area of the Executive Office of the Governor. First Lady Ann Scott hung the first ornament on the tree, the 2014 Governor’s Mansion Christmas ornament. The Governor and First Lady, along with the members of the Cabinet, thanked Havana Christmas Tree Farm for providing the trees to the Capitol this Christmas.

The Sellars family opened the Havana Christmas Tree Farms in Havana, Florida in 1988.  The family operation produces Virginia Pines, Southern Red Cedar and Leyland Cypress.

The Havana Christmas Tree Farms is located at 2867 FL-GA Pkwy in Havana and is open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information about the farm, visit http://www.havanachristmastrees.com.

To find a Christmas tree farm in Florida, visit the Florida Christmas Tree Association website, www.flchristmastrees.com/Farms.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.

Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services