Ohio Sends Christmas Trees to Troops in Jordan
Operation Evergreen, run by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Christmas Tree Association, ships donated trees overseas to service members.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Organic Food
The Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Christmas Tree Association are running Operation Evergreen, shipping dozens of Christmas trees donated from 14 Ohio farms to service members serving in Jordan. The effort has run for 31 years and includes homemade ornaments, Christmas cards, and decorations.
Why it matters
The program connects Ohio farms, veterans, and local schools with troops stationed overseas during the holiday season. Each tree is checked for insects and diseases before shipping, reflecting the agricultural inspection standards that govern shipments abroad.
Trees come from 14 Ohio farms and the program has run for 31 years, with veterans selecting one or two trees each. Dozens of trees are in this year's shipment, though the precise count was not reported.
The players
Ohio Department of Agriculture
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is the state agency responsible for regulating and supporting the state's farms and agricultural industries.
Ohio Christmas Tree Association
The Ohio Christmas Tree Association is a trade group representing Christmas tree growers across Ohio.
The details
Veterans cut down the trees at participating farms with help from volunteers and students. Local elementary and middle schools and Boy Scout troops make ornaments that are packed with the trees and shipped to troops in Jordan.
Timeline
Operation Evergreen began 31 years ago.
Trees are being shipped to service members in Jordan for the 2026 holiday season.
Holiday Tradition
The 2026 shipment to Jordan extends the 31-year run of Operation Evergreen, which has long sent Ohio-grown trees to deployed troops. It places a longstanding state farming tradition in direct support of service members abroad.
Families looking to support troops can contact local farms and schools that participate in Operation Evergreen to donate ornaments or trees. Ohio residents interested in volunteering may find opportunities through the sponsoring agencies during the holiday season.
The takeaway
Operation Evergreen shows how a state agricultural program can carry holiday goodwill to troops abroad year after year. Supporting local tree farms and youth ornament projects is a simple way for residents to join the effort.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food in Ohio alongside other local agricultural stories.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4i.
