The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association (NCCTA) has much to celebrate this season: a vivacious new director, a substantial federal grant, and 50 years of service and a growing Choose and Cut program. The association's new Executive Director Jennifer Greene says she wants to help educate people about the industry and that it's a big part of the local environment that shouldn't be taken for granted. Five Avery County residents founded the association--a nonprofit that makes and receives grants--in 1959. It operates with a $200,000 annual budget and has approximately 400 members from across the country. The majority of members are from North Carolina, and many are from the High Country. The United States Department of Agriculture recently granted NCCTA a two-year $60,000 grant to promote the North Carolina Frazier Fir. Perhaps these marketing funds can help High Country Christmas tree growers weather the stressed economy and present an abundant supply. The association's annual, growing Choose and Cut Program is underway all across the High Country. For more information, ncchristmastrees.com/  and chooseandcutfestival.com/.