WHEREAS, Maine-grown Christmas trees stand as a timeless, naturally grown decoration, and the Maine Christmas Tree Association, which cultivates seasonal cheer for Christmas and Solstice by producing authentic Christmas trees and wreath products, stands as the foremost resource for all things related to Christmas trees in the beautiful State of Maine; and

WHEREAS, Christmas trees and wreath products are a recyclable, non-synthetic farm-grown crop, made available for retail, wholesale, mail order, and choose 'n cut during the cherished Christmas season, and the industry stands as an economic powerhouse, generating over $18 million in direct economic impact and providing gainful employment for nearly 800 individuals with a payroll exceeding $8 million; and

WHEREAS, since its inception in 1962, the central mission of the Maine Christmas Tree Association has been to champion the cause of genuine Christmas trees and to disseminate valuable information about the freshness and allure of Maine-grown and locally produced Christmas trees and wreaths from Maine businesses; and

WHEREAS, with more than 100 steadfast members spread across all sixteen counties, the Maine Christmas Tree Association brings together a close-knit community of family farms, united by their love for real Maine Christmas trees and other associated products; amd

WHEREAS, these real Maine products are grown and crafted with care and dedication, including 300 that journey across the nation each year and are given to our members of the military as part of the Trees For Troops program; and

WHEREAS, the cultivation of these products exemplifies the essence of a cottage industry, recognition, and honor of those we cherish, love, and think about during a reflective season of hope, and a symbol of ingenuity and craftsmanship that businesses, farms, and makers across Maine have showcased for decades; and

WHEREAS, in acknowledgment of these significant contributions, we honor the Maine Christmas Tree Association and its member farms, extending our gratitude for enriching the lives of the people of Maine and beyond;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the great State of Maine, do hereby proclaim Friday, November 24, 2023, as

Maine Grown Christmas Tree Day

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this eighth day of November Two Thousand Twenty Three