AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Virginia Farm Bureau) — Of all the presents piled under a Christmas tree, perhaps the most meaningful holiday gift is the tree itself.

As commercial Christmas tree suppliers prepare to meet post-Thanksgiving demand, a few Virginia tree farms pass along their profits to support community organizations.

Established in 2017, the nonprofit Caritas Tree Farm in Augusta County has contributed earnings from all Christmas tree and wreath sales to support community programs that provide services and opportunities to those with different abilities.

Tim and Lori Grove currently grow 7,000 firs and white pine trees on 15 planted acres and are actively expanding. The choose-and-cut farm opened for business in November 2023 when Caritas’ biggest trees were starting to reach marketable size. Inventory is supplemented with larger fresh-cut trees, with the few remaining trees donated to local families in need.

“Caritas, pronounced like ‘carrot-toss,’ is defined as ‘Christian love of humankind, and charity,’” Tim Grove said. “We are connected to the special needs community, and so our intent from the beginning was to support organizations in our area that serve special needs individuals.”

To date, Caritas has donated proceeds to a local day camp, two therapeutic riding organizations, an independent living assistance organization and two Young Life Capernaum programs.

They found resources and grower support through the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association, in addition to community buy-in.

“Each spring we host a ‘planting party’ of invited family, coworkers, neighbors and friends— all donating their time to help get our seedlings in the ground,” Grove said.

As longtime supporters of the Boys Home of Virginia Christmas Tree Farm, “We also felt called to use our resources to benefit the community,” he added. “Their farm managers were great mentors in our early years.”

The Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm began as a bequest from Joanne Tannehill, who left her rural West Augusta County property as a teaching and learning experience for the boys in 1994. Rick Hutson, tree farm manager, oversees the operation, which grows 500 fir trees, including concolor.

“It has a citrus smell to it,” he said. “It’s a soft needle and different shade of green—a very nice tree!”

In the spring, students assist with farm planning and management, planting young seedlings and relocating mature transplants to the tree field. In the summer and fall, they shear trees and groom the fields. In winter, the students harvest trees, assist customers, and create items to sell in the farm Christmas shop.

“This is a worthwhile experience for the students,” Hutson said. “You can’t save every kid, but when you do make a difference, it does feel good. You know you have done well when a previous Boys Home graduate comes back with his wife and baby to show them what it was like at the tree farm!”

Both farms are open the first two weekends after Thanksgiving. The Boys Home will host photos with Santa and other holiday activities on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Boys Home of Virginia Christmas Tree Farm or Caritas Tree Farm for more information.