Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy George.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My grandparents, Marion and Phil Baron, bought our land nearly 90 years ago with only an Adobe Shack on it. My Grandpa ran a dairy farm and had one of the first dairy routes in Atascadero. My da, Robert Baron, was born on this property, as was I and my youngest daughter. My Husband, Cory and I bought the property from my parents in 2015, The fields where my grandparents ashes are spread were empty and not being used. We had no idea what we wanted to do with them. My dad told me that my Grandma always wanted a Christmas Tree Farm. Our family is huge Christmas fanatics, so it only made sense for us to go for it! Along with my parents and our five kids, we started planting Christmas trees in 2016. This year will be our fifth season open, and we love serving our community in this way and bringing the joy of the holiday season to everyone we can.
It’s definitely a family affair with my mom, Grandma Madonna, selling her homemade baked goods and fused glass ornaments My daughter’s, Addison, Alana and Aila, make and sell Christmas wreaths, and run the snack shack. My dad helps manage the fields and gives tractor rides, Cory manages the tree prepping stations and all the behind-the-scenes work. Cory’s parents, Clyde and LouAnn, show up every weekend as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. My sister Anita manages the front sale shack and our other sister, Christi sells her holiday candles. My nieces also sells FFA poinsettias and their crocheted and handmade items every year.
Watching families find their “perfect tree”, hanging around the fireplace, drinking hot cider or cocoa, roasting s’mores, playing with the farm animals, taking tractor rides and spending family time together makes it all worth it. Our favorite compliment is that our farm “feels like a Hallmark movie”.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2018 we almost quit growing Christmas trees since we had lost almost 90% of our crop. My parents came alongside of us and offered to help during the off-season and tend to the trees. Having five kids definitely had its challenges with allowing us time to manage everything. We started going to California Christmas Tree Association meetings and getting as much advice as possible from other growers. We had our growing pains but we are constantly learning and improving.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our farm is special because we don’t want people to just come buy their product and leave. We have worked hard to create an experience for families to spend quality time together, slow down and enjoy the holiday season and cultivating lifelong memories. We have baby animals down at the farm for families to see and feed, tractor rides, picnic areas, holiday food, crafts, decorations and many different treats! We also have a large fire pit families can sit around, have conversations, and roast marshmallows over! Families and pets have the opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the weekends! Our fields are also a great place to roam, take family photos, and walk-through the Christmas trees.
Our farm is one of only two farms left in San Luis obispo County that allows families to come and cut down their own tree.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
We feel extremely blessed to be in such a supportive community. Starting a new business can be risky but we really feel like our friends, neighbors and local community have greeted us with open arms.
Pricing:
- Trees start at just $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.salinasriverranch.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salinasriverranch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalinasRiverRanch
