By Matthew McClellan

Rowan Cooperative Extension

Have you noticed that the temperatures have gotten cooler?

We’ve just turned back our clocks and now it gets dark earlier in the afternoons. The leaves are coming off the trees and the retail stores are starting to display wintery items for sale.

All this means that the holiday season is nearly here and it’s almost time to think about decorating, parties and being with your loved ones. It is the decorations that I want to focus on today.

Have you ever wondered where your Christmas tree comes from? Some of you may take a drive up to the mountains to one of the many Christmas tree growers up there; maybe you buy your tree at a local tree lot, or maybe you cut your own out on your land.

Here in North Carolina, we have lots of great options. Our state ranks second in Christmas tree production for number of trees harvested and produces 19 percent of all Christmas trees in the United States.

Along with your tree, you will need Christmas greenery like wreaths and garland and this is where your Rowan County 4-H program can help you out this year.

Every year, Rowan County 4-H sells Christmas wreaths and garland produced from North Carolina Fraser fir, boxwood and white pine. We buy these wreaths and garland from a North Carolina farm in Alleghany County and will bring them back to the 4-H office here in Salisbury.

Prices for the wreaths depend on size and variety; there are many different sizes and shapes available, and are between $20 and $60. Garland is sold in 25-, 50- or 75-foot lengths and is priced between $15 and $30, depending on length and materials made from.

To order a wreath or see all the great products that Rowan County 4-H is selling or to get more information, please contact me at the 4-H Office 704-216-8970 or stop by the office at 2727 Old Concord Road in Salisbury. Order deadline is Nov. 15 and the wreaths will be available for pickup on Dec. 1 at the 4-H Office.

Proceeds raised during the annual wreath sale benefit the Rowan County 4-H program. These funds help offset the costs of summer camp, state leadership events, national educational trips and school enrichment activities.

All of the funds raised through this sale help youth here in Rowan County. The 4-H program could not reach the number of youth we do each year without the funds raised during our annual plant and wreath sales. Please consider purchasing some of your holiday decorating needs from the Rowan County 4-H program.