Wood Co. Ag Tour stops at 400-acre nursery

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Tour-goers listen to TreeTown USA/Gandy Nursery Head Grower Eric Whatley (left) explain how the machine fills the tree-growing pots. At the tree is Assistant Grower Ben Hartin (in shorts). -- Staff photo by Kramer

Oct. 14, 2004 - Members of the recent Wood County Ag Tour got to visit one of the area's largest horticulture operations.

Tree Town USA/Gandy Nursery marked the second stop of the tour. The 400 acre operation produces shade, ornamental, landscape and fruit trees. The site, located near Quitman and Winnsboro, is only one of several Tree Town USA locations. The company has an 800 acre operation in Ben Wheeler, a 1000 acre operation in Wharton County and a 400 acre location in the state of Florida.

Robbie Abillama, vice president of production for the company was happy to help those on the ag. tour understand horticulture more clearly.

"Being in the agriculture-horticulture business, we like to educate the public about what we do," said Abillama, who greeted three buses of people at the location.

While tour attendees were at the site, Assistant Grower, Ben Hartin and Head Grower, Eric Whatley, explained the process of growing and transplanting trees, how trees are pruned and demonstrated how some of the machinery on the site functions.

"We are basically trying to carbon copy what mother nature does," said Whatley while explaining to the crowd that trees need constant nourishment.

The all-day tour first visited Mill Creek Farm, then Tree Town USA/Gandy Nursery and the final stop was Mitchell Livestock Commission in Winnsboro. A lunch was provided by Wood County Electric Cooperative.

Angie Monk, Wood County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences, helped organize tour.

"Hopefully by participating, the business and community leaders and other citizens who attend will have a better understanding of agriculture in general and of the specific agriculture enterprises and commodities in our area," said Monk.

According to Texas Department of Agriculture Director for Horticulture Marketing, Richard De Los Santos, Texas horticulture is thriving.

"Texas is the third-largest horticultural producer in the country, and nursery green-house production is the state's second leading agricultural industry," said De Los Santos.

According to De Los Santos, the sales of horticultural related items have an economic impact of about $9.7 billion a year.

Tree Town USA/Gandy Nursery is one of many companies contributing to the economic growth of Texas' horticulture industry. After the tour, Abillama hopes those who attended will have a greater appreciation for the business.

"I hope they got a better understanding of what it entails to grow a tree," said Abillama.

The Wood County Extension holds an ag. tour annually. Locations for the tour are chosen by a board and from evaluation forms filled out by previous tour participants.