Member Luncheon - Broadview Tree Farm

Highland Business Association's traditional December lunch at Broadview Tree Farm is on December 10th at Noon. Reminder dress warm, we will again be in the warming hut having hot cocoa and a casual lunch starting at noon. If you haven't gotten your tree for Christmas this is the time to do it! Again, as a previous local business I would remind you to shop locally because when you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms.

Now a little bit about our wonderful hosts for this event - straight from their website "Broadview Tree Farm www.broadviewtreefarm.com is located on 118 acres in Highland Township where wildlife abound. It is not uncommon to see deer, rabbits, pheasants, fox and occasionally coyotes running ahead of our tractors. Canadian honkers and sandhill cranes constantly cross our skyline. A little history about our luncheon site - Broadview Farm was farmsteaded by our ancestors in 1849. Cash crops and sheep were the primary endeavors until 1947 when Ott and Betty Brian planted their first Christmas trees. Through the years they covered many acres and eventually began selling them to neighbors and passersby. In 1972 their children and spouses joined in a joint Christmas tree operation, and Broadview Christmas Tree Farm became a reality. As our tree plantation grew, so did our need for help—family and friends came to our rescue and continue to do so. Each tree harvesting season they appear like helpful elves. Each weekend night everyone gathers in the kitchen to enjoy a potluck supper and talk over the day. Our farm operation involves year-round tasks, including planting seedlings, spraying for insects and weed control and pruning as well as harvesting during the holiday season. We would not be able to operate without our crew of local kids. Over the years we have watched them learn the value of hard work and take pride in their efforts, as well as have fun working together. Even after college graduation, many return to help out and share memories. The year we celebrated 50 years of choose and cut tree harvesting, we passed out a handmade Christmas tree ornament to each family as they came by our cashier window. When we gained sesquicentennial status (150 years same family line ownership), we gave out tree bags to celebrate. Over the years we have donated many Christmas trees to the community and participated in local fundraisers. We enjoy celebrating the holidays with a traditional real tree as the centerpiece and so do our families and neighbors and especially our customers, who return year after year to make more traditional holiday memories. At the present time six families live on this farm with a seventh one anticipated--the fifth through the eighth generations make the farm their home as do many pets, both dogs and cats. Broadview Christmas Tree Farm is truly a family operation."