HASTINGS, Neb. – Pine Patch farms in East Hastings has been selling Christmas and landscaping trees since 1987, but has recently seen a change in ownership.

In 2021, husband and wife Joe and Nikayla Kindig bought the tree farm from previous owners Dave and Nytha Glass.

Joe has worked at Pine Patch since 2011, and had joked that he would buy the farm when the Glasses were ready to retire. Little did he know he would actually get that opportunity.

“I wanted to capitalize on one of Hastings' gems," said Kindig. "But we’re all in the business of having traditions and never transactions. It’s a cliche answer, but it means a lot to us that we can be with somebody’s tradition and watch their families grow.

Joe and Nikayla grew up in Hastings, dated since they were teenagers, and got married at the farm in 2016. It’s not every day you get to own a popular business with your spouse, but they’re taking in every moment together.

“We only have so many times to be able to celebrate Christmas, so this is a fun time for her and I specifically, because we can make memories and traditions with other families, as we continue to grow hopefully our family.” said Kindig.

Running a tree farm can be tough, as a the average time from a tree planted, to tree cut is around 10 years, leaving lots of planning ahead involved.

"To grow more trees in the future we obviously have to play ten years in advance, so it's a really big chess game and a patient game," said Kindig. "I think that future plans for the tree farm are just continuing to grow tree sales, finding more land here in the Tri-County to be able to capitalize on, and hopefully a big surprise coming up in the future."

Opening day to buy Christmas trees is Friday and Pine Patch has over 500 scotch pine, white pine, Douglas fir, and Canaan fir trees for sale. Also available are wreaths, garland, and potted trees, which are stored in the new barn which was finished this year. It doubles as an event space during the Christmas off-season that can house up to 96 guests for any event.

“We’ve given a place for Adams County or Tri-County residents to just be able to gather and make memories, make friendships, and having a little ol’ tree farm right outside of town being the centerfold of something that is really an exciting time in your life." said Kindig.

Joe says the farm sold out of Christmas trees in six days last year, so make haste to the patch for some fresh pine.