The Western Chestnut

by Rachel McCoy, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry

Allen Creek Farm, Carolyn and Ray Young, Ridgefield, WA: The Youngs are hosting a Chestnut Festival on Oct. 9 from noon until 5:00. Demonstrations of harvesting and processing of fresh nuts and of the flour mill. Fresh and value-added products will be available for sale and samples of roasted nuts and a chestnut soup will be available for sampling. The garden maze will be open to everyone. Visit www.chestnutsonline.com for more information.

Chestnut Charlie’s Organic Nuts, Charles NovoGradac, Lawrence, Kan: Chestnut Charlie is hosting a harvest tour of an organic nut and Christmas tree project, Sat. and Sun., Oct. 1-2, from 1-5 pm, in conjunction with the Lawrence, Kansas, area farm tour. Fresh Chinese and other chestnuts may be picked; sorting and sizing demonstrated; varieties compared; grafts demonstrated; guided tour of plantation and the packing facilities. For more information, visit www.chestnutcharlie.com. (Make it Chestnut Month - celebrate anytime in October!)

3rd Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, Oct. 29, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry HARC Farm, New Franklin, Mo: The Chestnut Roast is an outreach and educational opportunity featuring guided farm tours of the 660-acre HARC farm, agricultural exhibits and displays, free samples of fresh Missouri roasted chestnuts and chestnut dishes, agroforestry and nut cooking demonstrations, a children’s tent and several Missouri value-added food vendors, featuring Missouri black walnuts, chestnuts and pecans; meats and cheeses; specialty condiments and wines. Free admission and free parking. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.centerforagroforestry.org for more information.

Cadillac, Michigan Chestnut Festival: Oct. 15, Cadillac, Mich. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free roasted chestnuts and chestnut soup, chestnut gifts and other chestnut foodstu.s available. Fresh chestnuts. For more information, contact Dennis Fulbright, Michigan State University, at fulbrig1@mail.msu.edu.