> At a Glance
> – Bonton Farms halts annual post-holiday Christmas tree donations for its goats
> – Farm cites unknown chemicals and flocking residues as safety risks
> – Produce scraps like bok choy now replace trees to cut feed costs
> – Why it matters: Urban farms balance animal welfare, sustainability, and community donations
For years, Bonton Farms in South Dallas welcomed drooping evergreens after the holidays, letting goats munch the discarded trees. This season the urban nonprofit made a U-turn after learning how the trees are grown.
From Trees to Greens
Savannah Nordstrom, director of farm operations, said standard Christmas-tree production clashes with the farm’s chemical-free ethos.
> “We just looked a little bit more into the growth of Christmas trees, and in general, it’s not done naturally with the same practices that we have for our produce and our same standards,” Nordstrom said.
Tuesday morning the herd noshed on bok choy instead. The swap keeps feed bills-one of the priciest parts of animal care-in check.
Hidden Hazards
Even when donors followed rules-no flocking, no flame retardants, no tinsel-Nordstrom worried about unseen residues.
> “It’s very hard to guarantee what we’re getting, so we’re just avoiding the risk now,” she said.
Health concerns for the goats sealed the decision.
What the Farm Still Accepts
Bonton Farms still welcomes:
- Produce scraps from households or grocers
- Pumpkins after Halloween or Thanksgiving
- Fresh fruit and vegetable trimmings
These donations feed goats, chickens, pigs, and other residents of the nonprofit urban farm.
Key Takeaways
- Bonton Farms ended its holiday tree donation program over chemical safety worries
- Produce donations now offset expensive, high-quality animal feed
- The goats, described as pickier than average, prefer fresh kitchen scraps anyway
- Community members can still help by giving uncooked fruits and vegetables instead of evergreens
The new rule keeps the South Dallas farm’s animals healthy while maintaining its sustainable mission.
