St. Joe Christmas Tree Farm during COVID-19

Tonight.i'm brianna dahlquist.

A local christmas tree farm is uplifting families one tree at a time.

Fox 55's nico pennisi spoke to st.

Joe's on how they're making a difference for families this holiday season.

Stand up: for many, this year was filled with hardship.

Loren buse was laid off in march when the pandemic started.

He says that spending time with family during christmas helps uplift his spirits.

Buse: "christmas is definitely about family it's all about spending time with family, extended family people you normally don't get to see very often"buse spent the day at st.

Joe christmas tree farm with his wife and two children.

Three-year-old eowyn and one year old fyrd each get to decorate a tree of their own, with the help of mom and dad of course.buse: "it's a tradition of ours every year.

We cut down two small trees for each of our kids."the buses say the day was about going out on the farm, enjoying quality time and making memories.st.

Joe's owner judy reifenberg recognizes the difficulties families have been facing.

Reifenberg: "everything is so upside down right now.

People are trying to keep themselves safe trying to keep their family members and christmas is a tradition that you don't want to lose"she says that covid-19 hasn't stopped families from coming out.

Sales have stayed steady over the past 22 years of business, and this year was no different.

Reifenberg: "i think people want to get out.

They're stuck in the home or they maybe do get to go to work or they're stuck in a living room together they can go out in a safe environment and they can walk the field or they can go look for a tree."

St.

Joe's made some covid-19 adjustments this year.

The farm moved to appointments- only to avoid large crowds of people and require face masks to be worn on the premises.

Buse: "i think it's a great way to bond with family without having to socialize or get into large groups."a day out in the tree fields was the boost the buses say they needed.

Stand up: st.

Joes tells me they're aware of the financial burden covid-19 has caused.

They're selling smaller trees at a cheaper price for less fortunate families.

At st.

Joes i'm nico pennisi fox 55 news well we did see a bit of sunshine