BOURBON, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A Missouri farmer is keeping a centuries-old holiday tradition alive by growing and harvesting fresh mistletoe for the metro area.

Mark Brown owns Gateway Garlic Farms in Bourbon, Missouri, but this time of year, he’s known as “Mistletoe Mark.” When garlic season ends, Brown shifts his focus to cultivating the seasonal plant that has become synonymous with holiday romance.

Mistletoe is a hemiparasitic plant that grows on trees and partially relies on them for nutrients. While the plant is usually spread by birds eating the berries, Brown plants it himself using a precise method.

Brown has perfected both the art and science of mistletoe cultivation, ensuring the plant grows properly for harvest.

The custom of kissing under mistletoe became popular during t

See Full Page