Governor Declares Nov. 28 As 'Green Friday'

HATFIELD, Mass. — To kick off the holiday season in Massachusetts and to highlight the state's Christmas tree and nursery sectors, Governor Maura Healey is declaring Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, as "Green Friday."

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle joined state and local officials today to celebrate the declaration at Chestnut Mountain Christmas Tree Farm in Hatfield. The event included a presentation of a Governor's Proclamation, followed by a ceremonial Christmas tree cutting.

"There's no better way to usher in the holiday season than by purchasing a locally grown Christmas tree and other festive plants," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "Our growers take great care of the land which produces beautiful evergreens that provide a perfect centerpiece to your holiday celebrations. Start your holidays off at a local farm or nursery for a memorable experience."

Massachusetts is home to 459 Christmas tree farms, which operate on nearly 3,000 acres of land and contribute more than $4.5 million to the local economy every year. These farms provide hundreds of seasonal jobs, and many year-round positions as well, boosting local economies through commerce and tourism. Many farms offer family-friendly activities like sleighrides and treats like milk and cookies or hot chocolate.

Christmas tree farms provide a stunning backdrop to the agricultural landscape in Massachusetts and help preserve open space across the state, bringing tremendous environmental benefits to the surrounding land. Often sited on soil that cannot support other crops, these farms enhance soil health, which helps prevent erosion and protect water supplies. After the holiday season, trees and other plants can be used as a renewable source of energy to be burned as fuel, used as mulch, fed to certain livestock, or composted.

To find more information on Massachusetts Christmas tree farms and nurseries, please visit MDAR's MassGrown page.

Pittsfield Celebrates Arbor Day at Taconic

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:10PM / Saturday, May 02, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti presented the framed original cover art for the day's program. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Generations of Taconic students will pass the tree planted on Arbor Day 2026 as they enter school. 

Pittsfield's decades-long annual celebration was held at a city school for the first time. Different vocational trades at Taconic High School worked together to plant the Amelanchier, or flowering serviceberry, mark it with a plaque, record the ceremony, create artwork for the program's cover, and feed guests. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said the students' participation reflects the spirit of Arbor Day perfectly: learning by doing, serving the community, and helping Pittsfield grow greener for generations to come.

"It's not unknown that trees help shade our homes, help clean our air and water, they support wildlife, and make our neighborhoods and public spaces more beautiful and resilient," he said. 

"And Arbor Day is our chance annually to honor that gift and to remember that when we plant something today, we are investing in the future of our green world."

The holiday was established 154 years ago by J. Sterling Morton and was first observed in Nebraska with the planting of more than a million trees.

CTE environmental science and technology teacher Morgan Lindemayer-Finck detailed the many skilled students who worked on the event: the sign commemorating this Arbor Day was made by the carpentry and advanced manufacturing program, specifically students Ronan MacDonald and Patrick Winn; the multimedia production program recorded the event, and the culinary department provided refreshments. 

The program's cover art was created by students Brigitte Quintana-Tenorio and Austin Sayers. The framed original was presented to Mayor Peter Marchetti.