Highlights from 2011

Scott Ballard became the sole owner of West End.

The partnership between Scott and Dale Hudler was a successful one.

West End will continue to have strong ties with Dale and with Hudler Tree Farm.

Highlights from 2010

West End won first place in the Decorated Wreath category of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association contest and placed second in the undecorated contest (Joe Freeman of Mistletoe Meadows placed first). West End was the only NC farm to place (2nd) in the national competition for undecorated wreaths at the convention in Winston-Salem. “We’re very pleased to both compete with farms from all over the state and nation and be recognized for the workmanship and quality of our products,” commented West End co-owner Scott Ballard (below left pictured with co-owner Dale Hudler).

Highlights from 2009

West End was featured on VISITNC.COM for the choose-n-cut experience along with our friends at Lil' Grandfather farm! Visit the link above and look for more photos and a video coming soon.

It was an active and rewarding year for Scott with the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce where he serves as the Chair of the Special Projects Committee and as Secretary on the Executive Committee.

West End partner Dale Hudler was elected Mayor of West Jefferson in 2007! Was it his sincerity and desire to serve the best interests of our town or the campaign promise of a "wreath on every door" that proved to be the difference? :)

Dale is pictured above at the "Meet & Greet the New Mayor" party hosted by the West Jefferson Coffee House on the backstreet.

We also came in second nationally in the undecorated wreath competition!

The West End Choose and Cut patch of trees was visited by new University of North Carolina System president Erskine Bowles as a part of his tour of agriculture-related sites in Ashe County during a visit in April. Dale describes the challenges faced by tree farmers.

The barn is known as the Yoga Barn in the off-season as Dale's wife Debi, a certified Yoga Instructor, teaches yoga classes upstairs.

The Great West End Grays finished in a tie for 1st place in the 7-8-9 year old Ashe Youth Soccer League...Way to go team! As a side note for what it's worth, Co-coach Jimmy Thompson could bench press more than any other coach in the league...

Highlights from 2005!

West End became West End Wreaths and Choose and Cut as a premium selection of trees next to our new (old) barn on the historic Ray Farms were finally ready to harvest.

The West End Choose and Cut patch got some national exposure when segments of a video for the National Christmas Tree Association were filmed there.

Highlights from 2004!

 West End Wreaths won the NC competition in both the "decorated" and "undecorated" wreath categories!

We were featured in newspaper articles from Winston-Salem and Raleigh, NC along with USA TODAY Online.

We were again the featured business for the month of December at the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce offices.