Making way for a new tree crop: The Georgia Christmas Tree Association was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The grant money was allocated to the state as part of the 2008 U.S. Farm Bill. The purpose of the grant is to promote specialty crops in Georgia. Chuck Berry, president-elect of the GCTA and owner of Berry’s Tree Farm in Covington, applied for and accepted the grant on behalf of the GCTA. The monies will be used to promote further "choose and cut" Christmas tree farms in Georgia. Four billboards have been erected on major interstates in Georgia and bear the GAChristmasTree.com Web site which will direct the public to a "choose and cut" tree farm in their area. In this photo: State Senator John Douglas, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin, Chuck Berry and Charles Berry exchange the grant check worth $30,000.