A Powys-based business which belongs to a Farming Connect network of Christmas tree growers has an important assignment at 10 Downing Street next month.
Evergreen Christmas Trees, run by the Reynolds family at Black House Farm, Knighton, will supply the tree that will take pride of place outside the Prime Minister’s residence this year.
It comes after the grower was named Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year 2024 in an annual competition run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA).
Evergreen Christmas Trees is a member of the Farming Connect Christmas Trees Network, one of several grower networks supported by the Farming Connect horticulture programme.
This network provides training days, study visits and learning options for what has become, for many successful growers, a very lucrative seasonal market.
Farming Connect Horticulture Manager Sarah Gould says among the programmes of training is one that has been developed to help guide growers on pest and disease control for Christmas trees.
Others focus on pruning, nutrition specific to these tree varieties and many other elements of the production process.
These are all fully funded and can be accessed by businesses registered with Farming Connect.
Sarah says peer-to-peer learning, by growers visiting each other’s sites, is another important aspect of membership as is access to digital marketing support.
Advice and guidance are also provided via a Whatsapp group.
With a strong grower network already in place, Sarah encourages others to join.
For Evergreen Christmas Trees, a visit to Downing Street awaits.
The tree will be put up in early December and the visit will include a tour of the house and even meeting the Prime Minister if his schedule allows.
