Chinese chestnuts are a growing industry in Missouri. This specialty crop is sustainable and has potential for both short- and long-term income.
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The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry will hold a series of four chestnut-production workshops that will take participants through an entire growing season.
Current and prospective growers, extension agents and FFA instructors and students are invited to attend the workshops at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin.
"Growing chestnuts is an excellent way to diversify your farm income," said Mike Gold, associate director of the center. "A one-acre orchard of 50 well-managed, grafted Chinese chestnut trees can gross $5,000 to $7,000 wholesale and $10,000 retail within 10-12 years. We feel this crop is part of the future of specialty crop farming in Missouri."
Course dates and topics are as follows: March 24 – Site selection, planting, planning grafts and pruning; May 5 – Grafting; Aug. 18 – Orchard maintenance, weed control, insect scouting, pest management and disease control; Sept. 22 – Harvesting, marketing and sales.
Gold recommends participants sign up for all four sessions. Instructors will include Gold; Ken Hunt, research scientist; and Michele Warmund, professor of plant sciences.
With financial support from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the workshops cost only $5 each (waived for FFA instructors and students). Fees cover educational materials and lunch. Space is limited. To reserve your place, contact Julie Rhoads at 573-882-3234 or [email protected] by March 17. For workshop details, contact Gold at 573-884-1448 or [email protected].
Learn more about the Center for Agroforestry and Chinese chestnuts at www.centerforagroforestry.org.