Country Acres Saturday, November 18, 2023
Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment
Volume 10, Edition 17
Trim the
boughs, deck the halls
BY TIFFANY KLAPHAKE STAFF WRITER
GLENWOOD— Rows upon rows of green trees fill what will become a snow-covered yard, while gifts and seasonal decor fill the shop at Evergreen Park: A Christmas Tree Co. Phil Stumpf and his wife, Catherine, have owned and operated the tree farm near Glenwood since 2009. “We feel we sell the experience and memories, and the tree comes with,” Stumpf said. “Evergreen Park Tree Farm in our world is much more than a place to buy a Christmas tree.” Stumpf said one of the favorite styles of trees they offer is Victorian-style Christmas trees. These trees have not been sheared. No two Victo-
Evergreen Park offers trees, decor
ST R
Publications bli ti The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
rian-style trees are alike, just like if they had been cut down in the woods. “No tree is perfect; these trees have personality,” Stumpf said. “What I might consider a Charlie Brown tree, another person will think that is the perfect tree.” Evergreen Park has multiple games, photo opportunities, hayrides, homemade cookies, hot apple cider and “Bucky” the resident squirrel. Bucky is a stuffed animal squirrel that has become the unofficial mascot of Evergreen Park, and as families are getting their tree shaken and bundled to take home, Bucky likes to appear and give children the opportunity to catch him in a pail. “Bucky the squirrel is a fan favorite,” Stumpf said. Stumpf’s tree farm is small compared to most, they have about 2,000 trees on site, but he would not have it any other way. This way he can focus on making meaningful memories for the families who
This month in the
COUNTRY: Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on December 16, 2023
stop by and stay true to who he is. “Every child leaves here with a small treat that has a PHOTO BY TIFFANY Christmas message on it KLAPHAKE about the reason for the Phil and Kathy Stumpf season,” Stumpf said. stand near the farm “Jesus is the reason for sign Sept. 28 at their tree the season.” farm near Glenwood. Stumpf’s wife, The Stumpfs opened Catherine, and daughter, Evergreen Park: A Megan, help with tasks Christmas Tree Co. and are in charge of the in 2009. gift shop. They take care of ordering the products and arranging the items throughout the gift shop. Catherine also between the Christmas trees makes over 3,000 homemade and porch pots, they touch cookies each year for all the over 500 families. guests. According to Stumpf, it “She starts in September takes seven to nine years to by making the cookie dough grow an average 8-foot tree. and freezing it,” Stumpf said. Meanwhile, for 14-foot trees, “Then she bakes them fresh it will take 12 to 15 years. The once we open. She makes first-generation tree farm ofmany different kinds.” fers balsam fir, Fraser fir, black Besides cut-your-own and hills spruce, blue spruce and pre-cut Christmas trees and scotch pine. items from the gift shop, Evergreen Park also offers wreaths Stumpfs page 2 and porch pots. Stumpf said,
5
Thanksgiving through FaceTime Tiffany Klaphake column
6
Raising turkeys Swanville
11 Conservation in the classroom Long Prairie
17 Using Jack pine cones Nancy Packard Leasman column
15 Reusing the old, making it new Nelson
20 Country cooking Long Prairie 21 The art of charcuterie Sartell