Branching Out with Chestnuts: USDA Insights on Growing Together

The chestnut industry in the United States is blossoming, with opportunities ripe for innovation and collaboration. In a recent episode of the Branching Out: Growing Together podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Jessica Shade, National Program Leader at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Jessica shared her expertise on how NIFA programs, especially the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), are transforming specialty crops, including tree nuts like chestnuts.

Here are the highlights from our conversation, along with actionable insights for growers, researchers, and anyone passionate about the future of agriculture.

NIFA and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative

Jessica began by explaining the mission of NIFA, which is to advance agricultural sciences through funding and collaboration. A cornerstone of this mission is the SCRI, a grant program designed to tackle pressing challenges in specialty crops. By fostering partnerships between growers and researchers, SCRI aims to:

• Address critical agricultural issues, from pest management to climate adaptation.
• Promote innovation through projects that encompass production, trade, and food safety.
• Ensure that solutions are relevant and impactful by involving growers at every stage of research.

As Jessica noted, SCRI projects are grounded in the real-world needs of growers, making it a truly collaborative program.

Why Chestnuts Are Poised for Growth

Though chestnuts have long been a staple crop worldwide, their potential in the U.S. remains largely untapped. “We’re seeing increased interest in chestnuts from both growers and consumers,” Jessica shared, pointing to the crop’s suitability for various U.S. regions and growing visibility in grocery stores.

Despite this, many chestnuts available domestically are imported. Jessica highlighted how SCRI’s focus on competitiveness in trade could help turn the tide, supporting domestic growers in producing for local markets. By leveraging research and education programs, the U.S. chestnut industry can better meet consumer demand while creating sustainable farming opportunities.

Funding Opportunities for Growers and Researchers

For those interested in SCRI grants, Jessica outlined three types of projects:

1. Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs): Large-scale projects addressing complex challenges that require multi-disciplinary teams.
   • Duration: Up to 5 years.
   • Funding: Around $2 million annually.
2. Standard Research and Extension Projects (SREPs): Targeted projects with a narrower scope.
   • Duration: Up to 5 years.
   • Funding: Around $1 million annually.
3. Planning Projects: Short-term grants to develop high-quality proposals for future CAPs or SREPs.
   • Duration: 1 year.
   • Funding: Up to $50,000.

Jessica emphasized the importance of grower-researcher collaboration in crafting proposals. Successful projects often start with growers identifying a critical need, followed by researchers developing solutions in partnership with them.

How Growers Can Get Involved

Jessica encouraged growers to actively engage with NIFA’s programs, whether by:

• Submitting Proposals: Partnering with researchers to address specific challenges.
• Becoming Reviewers: Industry members, including chestnut growers, can join SCRI’s relevance review panels to evaluate project proposals. “Your expertise as a grower is invaluable,” Jessica assured, emphasizing that reviewers help ensure funded projects address real-world needs.
• Exploring Funded Projects: The USDA Data Gateway is a valuable resource to see ongoing and past projects, helping growers connect with researchers and stay informed.

Success Stories in Specialty Crops

SCRI has already supported numerous transformative projects for tree nuts, such as:

• Developing climate-adapted pecan varieties.
• Enhancing pest management strategies for walnuts and hazelnuts.
• Creating orchard designs to improve pistachio yields under changing environmental conditions.

Though chestnut-specific projects under SCRI are still limited, Jessica noted significant research funded by other USDA programs, such as breeding for higher yields and improving propagation methods. These efforts demonstrate the potential for chestnuts to join the ranks of heavily supported specialty crops.

Your Role in the Chestnut Community

The future of the U.S. chestnut industry depends on collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to engage. As Jessica put it, “The challenges we face in agriculture today are bigger than ever, but they’re also opportunities for growers and researchers to come together and create real solutions.”

Whether you’re a seasoned grower, a budding farmer, or a researcher eager to make a difference, NIFA’s programs offer pathways to contribute and thrive. Visit the NIFA SCRI website to learn more, and consider signing up as a reviewer or connecting with researchers to start your own project.

Let’s continue branching out and growing together, turning challenges into opportunities and making the chestnut industry a robust part of U.S. agriculture.

Resources for Further Exploration

• SCRI Website: Search “SCRI NIFA” online for detailed program information.
• USDA Data Gateway: Explore funded projects at gateway.nifa.usda.gov.
• Contact the SCRI Team: Reach out to Jessica Shade (Jessica.Shade@usda.gov) or other team members listed on the SCRI website.
• Sign Up as a Reviewer: Create a profile at PRS NIFA.

Together, we can cultivate a thriving future for chestnuts and beyond!