If there's anyone out there who stands to benefit from the daily barrage of bad economic news, it's the local Christmas Tree farm operators.

Historically, choose-and-cut tree sales peak in tough times as families on budgets choose to spend an afternoon making Christmas memories rather than running up charge card debts to pay off in the new year.

But things have changed in the local Christmas tree business since the last major economic downturn. Tree farms, like other mom-and-pop businesses, have been beaten down by big-box retailers, and artificial trees have captured a large share of the market.

Rick Minter of Fayetteville, who with his wife Joanne and daughters Stephanie and Tammy operates Minter’s Tree Farm in south Fayette County, is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season.

“Like any other farmers, we’re the eternal optimists,” Minter said. “We’re hoping for a busy season, but given the economic climate of late, we’ve tried to price our trees so that they’ll be affordable for any family.”

Minter’s home-grown trees – Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pines and Carolina Sapphires – start at $15 and go to $45, with the majority of trees priced between $23 and $28. Prices are higher for Fraser Firs, which are imported twice a week from North Carolina.

But Minter figures that what he’s really selling is the experience of spending time on an old-fashioned farm. The Minter family knows a little something about old-fashioned farm experiences. Each September, they host Inman Farm Heritage Days, which offers thousands of visitors a chance to experience the sights and sounds of a simpler time.

During Christmas tree season, the Minters add a little Farm Heritage Days flavor to the tree-cutting experience. They offer free hayrides through the tree fields using some of their collection of antique tractors. On weekends, some visitors are treated to a ride on a wagon pulled by a pair of mules. Picnic tables are available for those who want to bring a snack or a meal, and there are donkeys and goats to feed and photograph. Of course there are numerous old trucks and tractors which often serve as backdrop for family Christmas card photos.

To simplify things in the field, hand saws are provided, and there are measuring poles available so customers can avoid cutting a tree that is too tall for their ceilings.

After choosing their tree, visitors can sample the Minter’ special brew of hot, spicy apple cider and visit the Christmas Shoppe while their tree is being loaded for the trip home.

Minter, who raises his trees on the same piece of earth that his ancestors lived on when they helped settle the county in the early 1830s, said that one of the best parts about his profession is being able to share the rolling red earth he loves so much with the friends he’s made through the tree business.

“Our farm’s slogan is ‘Making Christmas Memories’ and our greatest hope is that years from now the children who came to our farm with their families will remember how much fun they had here,” he said.

For more information about Minter’s Farm, visit mintersfarm.com or call 770-461-2840.

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