BLOOMER, Wisconsin – Christmas trees are a beloved tradition in both Poland and the United States. Earlier this month Christmas tree growers, Mike and Lisa Stoffel, welcomed a delegation of Polish mayors and deputy mayors to their Bloomer, Wisconsin farm as part of the U.S. Congressional Open World Program, coordinated locally by the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club. The visit highlighted collaborative rural leadership, family agriculture, and cultural heritage shared between Wisconsin and Poland.
“This visit”, said Mike Stoffel, owner of The Christmas Tree Farm, “celebrates what connects us – family farming, community and the universal joy of Christmas.”
The Nov. 1, 2025, visit included a farm tour, demonstrations, and time for cultural exchange and conversation over hot chocolate and cookies. Even across continents, the mayors found common ground in shared values of community, family, and the responsibility of caring for the land.
A member of the Polish delegation said, “We felt truly welcomed here. It reminded us that community, heritage, and caring for the land are values we share, even an ocean apart.”
The Christmas Tree Farm, located at 8513 120th Ave., Bloomer, is a cut-your-own business that boasts over 23,000 sheared Balsam Fir trees. The farm was founded in the 1970s when Stoffel’s parents, Clarence and Diane Stoffel, purchased some land and sought red pine tree saplings to plant. DNR officials suggested planting Balsam Fir trees instead, which could eventually be sold as Christmas trees.
Once the trees grew large enough, friends and family asked to come out to cut their own Christmas trees, and a tree farm was born with no advertising or even a sign ‒ just word of mouth. Mike and Lisa started planting their own trees as Mike’s parents began stepping away from the business. This succession ensured a steady supply of trees.
While Clarence and Diane hand-planted the farm’s first trees, using a tree planter allows Mike to plant nearly 5,000 trees in two days.
During the tour, Mike, a member of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, demonstrated shearing techniques to the delegates as well as explaining how the farm operates, the use of new equipment and the farm’s sustainable practices. As part of the exchange, delegates shared how Poland’s climate is very similar to Wisconsin’s, drawing many parallels between the two countries.
Wisconsin ranks as the fifth-largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States. According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, the state has over 941 farms on more than 25,975 acres. While Denmark is Europe’s largest exporter of Christmas trees, Poland prides itself on being a leading producer and exporter as well.
“When you welcome someone to your farm, you’re sharing more than a place — you’re sharing your history, your values, and your hope for the future. We were honored to share our traditions and learn about theirs.”
The visit is part of an 8-day Wisconsin itinerary focused on exploring economic development, small business growth, and sustainable rural leadership and sustainable agriculture, with 50 stops at farms, wineries and educational institutions throughout the greater Chippewa Valley region in western Wisconsin. The program is coordinated locally by the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club in partnership with Rotary International and the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL).
Polish delegates included Anna Grygierek, Mayor of Strumien; Daria Wyzuj, Mayor of Pogorzela; Dominica Kudlinska, Deputy Mayor of Reda; Marcin Uchman, Mayor of Ceglow; Pawel Kownacki, Mayor of Wieliszew; and Agata Laziuk, facilitator with the American Councils for International Education.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Polish mayors visit Wisconsin Christmas tree farm as
part of U.S. Congressional Open World Program
Reporting by Kristi Schumacher / Wisconsin State Farmer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
