MT. ULLA — Selecting a Christmas tree from Patterson Farm Market & Tours in Mt. Ulla can have some long-reaching effects as it will be helping support western North Carolina’s agricultural community, which was greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The local farm is partnering with an Avery County farm by offering a selection of fresh Christmas trees from the farm along with live wreaths and are available for purchase through Dec. 22 or until supplies last, shared Victoria Patterson Chrismon, events manager, at the farm.

They were able to get in contact with a farmer through her cousin Taylor Patterson, who is the sustainable agriculture operations manager at the farm, she said, and they were “able to bring in trees for the first time in several years.” 

She said they had tried to do some things during the fall and provide help and “support the mountain community at large as well as a specific farm” they knew had been greatly affected in several ways including the hurricane plus the inability of people to get to the mountains thus affecting tourism. 

Chrismon said they had previously sold Christmas trees, but it had been several years ago, and so they thought this was a good time to bring the Christmas trees back to the farm and help support the western North Carolina farmers. So they have purchased trees directly from the Avery County farm which are currently available.

“We’re really excited to have the trees,” she said, and “help bring some western North Carolina mountain trees to our farm.”

Therefore, if people want to get a tree but aren’t able to travel there, Chrismon said they can purchase from them and it would still be a “way to support those farmers.”

Patterson has Fraser firs available ranging in size from five to eight feet and each are tagged according to height. Plus it has 12- and 18-inch wreaths, and all can be purchased at the market during its business hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. 

Chrismon said when people come to the farm for poinsettias, many have asked if they have trees. So this year, they thought they would give it a try, adding that it’s for a good cause.

“It would be great if people want to come out and make it part of their Christmas tradition this year,” she said.

While guests are there searching for that special Christmas tree, visitors can enjoy other activities at the farm including their annual Holly Jolly Days event, which will conclude this weekend, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 1-5 p.m.

This festive event will offer photo opportunities with holiday characters, snow at the barnyard, playground activities, train and wagon rides and holiday crafts. Plus the Mega Drop and Paintball Zone will be open.

Visitors can also treat themselves to some goodies at the Market and Ice Cream Shop as the farm is offering its 12 Flavors of Christmas. These limited-edition flavors include peppermint, carrot cake, gingerbread, coffee toffee, sugar cookie, festive vanilla, cinnamon bun, pumpkin cheesecake, frozen hot chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, raspberry lemon sorbet and cranberry orange sorbet.

Tickets are required for everyone two and older. For more details about Holly Jolly Days and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.visitpattersonfarm.com/plan-your-visit/winter/holly-jolly-farm-days.