Black Friday? Try Green Friday in Massachusetts.
Gov. Charlie Baker has declared the day Green Friday, and his administration is encouraging people across the state to buy their Christmas trees, holiday plants and wreaths at local farms.
Baker says Massachusetts' nursery industry helps drive the economy. He says residents can make a difference by shopping for garland and other seasonal decorations at farms, farmers' markets, roadside stands and nurseries instead of big box stores.
The state Department of Agriculture says the holidays create hundreds of seasonal jobs at the state's nearly 400 Christmas tree farms.
It says the sector generates $1.4 million each year.
State officials also are urging people to have their used Christmas trees chipped so they can be burned as fuel or used as mulch or compost.
