SPRING VALLEY FAMILY TREE FARM

Near Spring Valley Reservoir, Idaho

By Terri Schmidt, Co-op volunteer writer

Paul and Annette Brusven, looking for land in 2004, found acreage near Spring Valley Reservoir. It had been a horse ranch and was mostly pasture. There was a barn and a great well - which sold them on purchasing the property. In 2005 they planted 1600 trees, bringing their dream of a Christmas tree farm to life. The first harvest was in 2012 when they sold 30 trees. Business has grown a bit since then, last year they sold 1100 trees. Customers can choose from thirteen tree species. Grand Firs smell most like Christmas when cut. Three varieties of drought resistant trees from Turkey do very well here. The barn houses a Christmas store where 27 vendors sell lovely handmade items including ornaments, candles, knitted items, quilts, stained glass and much more. Their children, Tessa and Cole, enjoy coming home for the holidays to help with the festivities and tree selling.

Annette’s parents, who owned a wholesale Christmas tree farm in Harrison, now produce seed for the Brusven’s tree farm. Annette has a degree in Plant Science, and a Masters in Horticulture. She worked at the University of Idaho forest nursery for 25 years. Paul has a background in soils, crop production, and conservation planning. He works full time for the Nez Perce Bio Control Center as the noxious weed coordinator. He always wanted to farm, not knowing he’d end up tree farming. Paul said, “It’s a good mesh, between Annette’s background and my desire to do more agriculture and mechanical related aspects of farming.”

The Brusven’s have expanded the use of their land over time and now grow delicious blueberries, tasty sweet corn, and beautiful flowers you can purchase at Moscow Food Co-op. Their son sold winter squash to the Co-op when he was young, being the first Brusven to be embraced by a Co-op produce manager. The family really appreciates the Co-op’s support of local producers. Annette said, “It’s so good to grow things and know so many people benefit from it. When I take corn and blueberries to the Co-op, I imagine people in the community enjoying eating them.”

Paul’s Mom had the idea of making blueberry jam and made the first batch. They now bottle and sell jam named after her - Grandma B’s jam. It is low in sugar and needs no pectin since the blueberries are sweet and gel well. They have a new lavender field and make lavender blueberry vanilla jam - it is so good!

Photographers often utilize the beautiful property and last summer the farm hosted their first wedding.

Another popular event the couple offers is their annual Pumpkin Hunt in October. Pumpkins are hidden among the Christmas trees. There’s a 550 hay bale maze, hay rides, and a giant sling shot. Brats, hotdogs, fresh pressed apple cider and pumpkin cookies are served. Local schools bring in students over two weeks, then the general public comes out to enjoy the fun. In 2021 they sold 2600 pumpkins.

Paul and Annette enjoy the whole aspect of agri-tourism. They appreciate building relationships with members of the community who delight in their different seasonal events.

When they find time, Annette and Paul love doing anything outdoors – hiking, huckleberry picking, hunting. Annette said, “Our best memories are of backpacking into mountain lakes with our children.”

To learn more about Spring Valley Family Tree Farm check out their website: https://www.springvalleyfamilytreefarm.com and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Springvalleyfamilytreefarm.