About four miles off Interstate 81 in Keezletown, Virginia, lies Every Soul Acres, a Christmas tree farm that has been operational since 2017. Owned by Laura Wolfe and her husband, the farm currently boasts around 25,000 trees, making it a prominent destination for holiday festivities in the region.
Over the years, Laura has navigated the challenges inherent in farming, particularly the long timelines associated with growing Christmas trees. Unlike many crops that yield returns within a season, Christmas trees require six to ten years to mature. This lengthy growth period means any adverse weather conditions can have a delayed but significant impact. “If you see a 90% loss in seedlings for two consecutive summers, and then a big loss this year at the end of the season, that’s going to affect most farmers come three to six years from now,” Wolfe explained, highlighting the cyclical nature of farming risks.
To mitigate these challenges, Wolfe adopts a proactive approach. She plants extra seedlings each year, understanding that losses can occur. “If I plant 4,000 seedlings in March, I always want to make sure there’s plenty of trees to harvest,” she noted. “Even if we lose a lot of trees, I plant a lot of trees.” This strategy ensures that Every Soul Acres can maintain a steady supply for its customers, regardless of the unpredictability of weather patterns.
Interestingly, while drought conditions can be detrimental to the trees, they thrive in cold and snowy weather. Wolfe shared that snow helps the trees retain moisture, positively influencing their needle retention. This year, the winter landscape transformed the farm into a picturesque setting, enhancing the customer experience. “People were able to come out, and the trees were covered in snow. It was like magical, really. It’s the winter wonderland,” she recalled, emphasizing the enchanting atmosphere that the snowy backdrop provided.
This growing season has been particularly successful for Every Soul Acres. Due to diligent management practices and favorable weather, the farm has yielded its most abundant crop since beginning operations. Additionally, Wolfe reported that they were able to keep their fields open longer than normal, allowing more visitors to enjoy the Christmas tree selection process.
As the holiday season approaches, Laura and her husband express deep gratitude for their resilient crop and the uplifting experiences they can offer families in the community. The farm not only represents the culmination of years of hard work but also embodies the joy and magic of the festive season.
