Argonaut T h e
U n i v e r s i t y
o f
For, of and by the students since 1898
uiargonaut.com
I d a h o
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
Growing a family business “Her passion for forestry and my passion for farming meant we found the perfect solution in a tree farm,” Paul said. “We followed our dream. It’s truly a perfect match.” The couple’s recent goal is to become a more Hailey Stewart sustainable and natural tree farm for the good Argonaut of their trees and customers. Following in their For the Brusven family, Christmas trees parents’ footsteps, both Tessa and Cole Brusven are not just a holiday tradition, but an every- — Paul and Annette’s two children — chose UI. Using her love of trees and recent business day experience. Annette Brusven, a long-time Palouse resi- degree from UI to help grow the family busident, grew up around acres upon acres of trees ness, Tessa now runs the farm gift shop. Housed at her family’s Christmas tree farm in North in a large red barn on the farm, the family sells Idaho. Raising Christmas trees from seedlings locally-created decorations and goods from all to holiday main staples has become second over the Palouse. “When I was younger, I never wanted to nature to her. plant trees. But, as I’ve grown up, I realized I’ve “We really work hard to make sure every single tree is ready for a family,” Annette said. been given this amazing opportunity to work “Most of the fun for us is having people come with my family and help carry on what we’ve out to the farm and get the experience of built,” Tessa said. “I’m glad I can put my degree to use like my parents did with theirs.” picking the tree for themselves.” Tessa said the gift shop first began selling Annette and her husband, Paul Brusven, bought over 30 acres of land, once used as a homemade goods from her grandmother, mother and a few friends. Now, the horse ranch in Troy, Idaho, in 2004. shop sells hundreds of different items. Once purchased, the Brusvens im“People keep coming back, and mediately began putting down roots we just start familiarizing ourselves at the Spring Valley Tree Farm — with one another,” Tessa said. “I mostly in tree form. can’t think of a better place to live Christmas trees take eight to and work.” 12 years to fully grow and become In the rush of helping so many ready for customers, Annette other families with their own trees, said. After years of planting and Annette said their Christmas celwaiting, the family’s first set of Annette Brusven ebration takes place outside on trees became ready for sale in the farm just as much as it does in 2013, marking the business’s fivetheir home. year anniversary. “This is what the holiday is for us now,” “In our first year, we were happy with selling 30 trees,” Annette said. “Last year, we sold about Annette said. “It’s become so addictive, that we get sad when Christmas is over and realize we 600 — so, I’d say we have grown quite a bit.” There are roughly 10,000 trees slowly have to wait another whole year.” As Dec. 25 draws closer, Annette said the farm growing on their land, waiting to be chopped down and sent home, Paul said. He said the will become busier with each passing weekend. “We often sell a large amount of trees perfect triangle-shaped tree most people bring into their homes during the holiday season a weekend or two before Christmas Day,” Annette said. “And we’ve been known to sell a doesn’t grow in like that. “A lot of people think of picking up a tree in tree or two on the day of.” Now with a new home built on their farm, some parking lot in town, but it doesn’t quite work that way,” Annette said. “First they take the family hopes to expand their business into time to grow, prune and shape. And after years a more year-round staple for the Palouse by ofof tedious work, they end up looking like the fering berries and other goods. For now, their best seller is Christmas tradiChristmas trees we know and love.” Annette and Paul both said their fathers tion and cheer, Paul said. “Our greatest joy is seeing families come were central figures in them gaining experience in the horticulture and forestry aspects back year after year. Some start out as just two. of maintaining a tree farm. As second-gener- Then the next year they bring a baby. Before ation University of Idaho graduates, Paul said you know it, the whole family comes to pick out he and Annette learned much of their business a tree,” Paul said. “It’s one of the most magical and farming sense from their parents and the things we get the chance to witness.” Hailey Stewart university. Annette graduated with a degree can be reached at in horticulture before working at UI’s Pitkin arg-news@uidaho.edu Forest Nursery as a researcher. Paul graduated or on Twitter at @HaileyAStew with a degree in agriculture.
The Brusvens find the holiday spirit by providing trees for Palouse families
Alex Brizee | Argonaut
Paul Brusven helps a customer prepare their family Christmas tree at the Spring Valley Tree Farm Nov. 30.
IN THIS ISSUE
Idaho drops Battle of the Palouse in Pullman.
SPORTS, B1
News, A1 Arts, A8
Sports, B1
Opinion, B8
We do best with your feedback and support. Read our view. OPINION, B8
University of Idaho
Business owner brings back holiday tradition to Moscow. ARTS, A8
Volume 121, Issue no. 16
Recyclable