AUSTIN - Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples marked the
start of the Christmas holiday season today at the
Ronald McDonald House of Austin where Texas growers donated Christmas
trees and poinsettias.
"The Ronald McDonald House of Austin provides a loving home-away-from-home to
families whose children are faced with critical injuries or life-threatening
illnesses," Commissioner Staples said. "We hope these freshly cut Texas
Christmas trees and poinsettias donated here today will make this house feel
more like home to these families."
At the event, Commissioner Staples encouraged Texans to take advantage of the
Lone Star State's choose-and-cut tree farms. Currently, Texas has 150
Christmas tree farms producing more than 200,000 trees annually. Sales of Texas
Christmas trees generate about $12 million for the state's economy.
Poinsettias also give the Texas economy a boost. In 2007, growers sold just over
3 million pots of poinsettias, contributing $15 million in sales and placing
Texas fifth in the nation for poinsettias.
For a list of Texas choose-and-cut tree farms, visit the Texas Department of
Agriculture's Web site,
http://www.picktexas.com/, or the Texas Christmas Tree Growers
Association Web site at http://www.texaschristmastrees.com/.
Evergreen
Farms Christmas Trees in Elgin and the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association donated
the three Christmas trees; the Texas State Florists' Association contributed 20
poinsettias. Evergreen Farms also donated $1,000 to the Ronald McDonald House
of Austin.
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