ALEXIS, Ill. — As the holiday season starts to wrap up, many will be left figuring out what to do with their Christmas trees. For those with artificial ones, it's as simple as packing it up in a box for another year.
But what about the real Christmas trees? One Alexis farm is helping the community solve this question.
Dailey Farms in Alexis, Illinois, has around 70 goats, all owned by John Dailey. Five years ago, he started selling goat milk and has expanded into other products like soap and even ice cream.
"It's got more protein, and it's good for you," Dailey said. "I started playing around and I bought an ice cream machine about two years ago. And then we finally got it to where it was a really good product."
Of course, goat milk is at the core of all his products. To always have his main ingredient, Dailey has to make sure his goats stay well-fed by feeding them grass, hay and tree bark. This time of year, though, the four-legged animals love to have a special holiday treat: real pine Christmas trees!
"They'll chew up those leaves," Dailey said. "They love the leaves from the pine trees, especially a lot of vitamin A there for them."
Every year after Christmas, the farm collects pine trees that become a yummy treat for Dailey's goats. Those looking to gift some goats their tree can stop by Dailey Farms on Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for drop off. The farm is located at 559 270th St. in Alexis.