As the holiday season rolls around, people across the state are beginning to pull out their Christmas decorations and keep an eye out in the stores for gifts. One of the holidays’ most recognizable features is the Christmas tree and for many families picking one out is an annual tradition.
At Almond Christmas Tree Farm you’ll be able to find a tree to serve as the centerpiece of your Christmas decorations. This 90-acre farm, located in Albemarle, is operated by Earl Almond and is owned by him and his five siblings: Teresa, Cynthia, Cecilia, Herman and Keith.
The farm was originally bought by Almond’s great-great-great-grandfather, Green Almond, after his service in the Civil War in 1880. When it was originally bought, the farm was just over 100-acres. Over the years the farm has raised beef cattle as well as several different types of food crops.
Although Almond grew up on the farm, he didn’t always work on it. After high school, Almond, along with his brothers Herman and Keith, spent 30 years working together to build engines for NASCAR drivers. However, for all the years he spent working elsewhere he still dreamed of returning to the farm.
“My heart was always in the farm. I guess you could say that I was not as dedicated to NASCAR as I should have been,” Earl shared, “In my heart I always wanted to get back to the farm.”
It was in 2000 that Almond and his siblings inherited ownership of the farm. Previously the farm had been used for beef cattle, but he was looking to do something different. He ended up reaching out to the Eastern North Carolina Christmas Tree Association at North Carolina State University who helped him figure out the ropes of running a Christmas tree farm.
Over the years the farm has grown and developed. The Almond Christmas Tree Farm today grows seven different types of trees and hosts visitors from all over the state during the holiday season. Their most popular variety is the Carolina Sapphire due to its dense leaves and strong scent. Throughout the year, the family is works to shear the trees to help maintain their conical shape ahead of buying season
“The best thing is seeing the families every year,” said Almond. While working at the farm he’s seen families come back year after year and watched as kids have grown up. For many people this is one of the few times they get to enjoy being out in nature, and he’s happy that his farm can help families have that experience.
Although the farm’s main focus is Christmas trees, they still have a few of the cows they once raised as well as some large open pastures and fields where they grow elderberries and blackberries. While picking out a tree, visitors to the farm can also buy jellies, jams and barbecue sauce. Additionally, the farm has been used as a wedding venue, something which they’re hoping to expand upon in the future.
“I think what I’m probably most proud of is keeping the farm up and maintaining it. It’s not perfect, but we do what we can to keep it looking pretty and green,” he said, “That’s why we joined the food and land trust. Because we didn’t want to see it turned into a housing development.”
In the future Almond wants to see more small farms preserving their land. According to the American Farmland trust, North Carolina is projected to lose up to 12% of it’s farmland to development by 2040 if current trends continue. Almond joined the Three Rivers Land Trust in 2000 to ensure that the 90-acres he owns will always remain farmland and protect it from development. He hopes that other farm owners look into the options available to help conserve the state’s farmland.
Pre-tagging day is Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can tag their tree for pick up on Opening Day held Friday, November 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, the farm will hold Christmas Tree mini photo sessions for families and individuals. Information about booking is online at https://book.usesession.com/s/GIsbPqL0wX?
The NCDA&CS Century Farm Program celebrates families which have kept their farm in continuous family ownership for 100 years or more. Almond Christmas Tree farm is among the approximately 2,000 families in the program. This program recognizes the contributions these families and farms have made to North Carolina’s agricultural legacy.