Branching Out, Growing Together Podcast
Stories, wisdom, and field‑based insight from the chestnut community and beyond.
A podcast for growers, land stewards, food lovers, and curious minds who believe in building something lasting—from the roots up.
Listen to the Latest Episode
Land, Legacy & the Future of Farming: Small Business Lessons from Chestnuts
This Small Business Week, we’re digging deep into how chestnuts can power more than just your pantry — they can build a business.Melanie shares what she’s learned from financial advisor and grower Joel Hubbard and Propagate’s Jeremy Kaufman about building real business models around chestnut orchards. From land structure and taxes to agroforestry and next-generation…
Read MoreCultivating Connection, One Episode at a Time
Whether you’re planting your first chestnut seedling or leading research on agroforestry systems, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Melanie Jones, each episode brings you into real conversations with growers, scientists, and innovators shaping the future of perennial agriculture.
We explore what it means to grow with purpose—from soil health to market realities, from failures to the quiet wins that keep us going. Think of it as your audio field walk: real talk, grounded learning, and a deep respect for the land.
Branching Out Growing Together OffShoot Edition – From Dave Skinner Season 3 Eps 5
This offshoot episode is based on our recent conversation with Dave Skinner of Whitetal Properties, where we discuss “How to Buy Land with Purpose: Strategies from Dave Skinner.” What should you really know before buying a piece of land? In this episode, I sit down with Dave Skinner of Whitetail Properties to talk about the…
How to Buy Land with Purpose: Strategies from Dave Skinner
What should you really know before buying a piece of land? In this episode, I sit down with Dave Skinner of Whitetail Properties to talk about the journey from passion to profession — and all the ways you can turn land ownership into a meaningful investment. Whether you’re dreaming of a hunting property, a chestnut…
Scott Smith on Harvesting, Marketing & the Future of Chestnut Farming
Podcast Description: In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Scott Smith shares his journey from growing up in the chestnut industry to running a successful orchard in Michigan. We dive into the realities of modern chestnut farming, including harvesting methods, marketing strategies, and why diversification is the key to success.Episode Highlights: The transition from…
United Chestnuts & EBB Farms – Growing Together in the Chestnut Industry
In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we explore the evolving landscape of chestnut farming and industry collaboration through United Chestnuts and EBB Farms.🌰 United Chestnuts is expanding beyond just one farm—it’s becoming a national platform to support chestnut growers who want to focus on farming without the burden of branding and marketing. We…
Growing Financial Stability for Chestnut Growers with Joel Hubbard, CPA
🎙 Welcome to Branching Out: Growing Together! 🌱🌰 In this episode, we’re diving into the financial side of farming and entrepreneurship with Joel Hubbard, CPA—a seasoned expert in accounting, tax strategies, and business financial planning. But Joel isn’t just a numbers guy—he’s also a passionate chestnut grower and the owner of Georgia Chestnuts, where he’s…
Overcoming Life’s Challenges: Finding Growth in the Unexpected
Life is full of twists and turns, but those unexpected moments often hold the greatest opportunities for growth. In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we explore how to navigate career pivots, personal challenges, and the unpredictability of life with resilience and adaptability.Through deeply personal stories, you’ll discover: How to embrace unexpected opportunities and…
USDA Insights on Growing the Chestnut Industry
In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we dive into the growing opportunities in U.S. chestnut farming with Jessica Shade from USDA NIFA. Discover how programs like the Specialty Crop Research Initiative are driving innovation and collaboration between growers and researchers. Jessica shares actionable insights on funding, industry challenges, and how you can play…
Chestnut Farming & Sustainability with Kathy Dice: Insights from Red Fern Farms
In this episode of “Branching Out Growing Together,” we sit down with Kathy Dice, co-founder of Redfern Farms, to explore the transformative potential of chestnut farming. Learn about the benefits of chestnuts as a sustainable crop, the role of agroforestry in combating environmental challenges, and the power of community in farming. From the challenges of…
Live from Chestnut Growers of Amercia Conference: Tom Wahl Shares Experiences from His Farm
Tom Wahl of Red Fern Farms joins Melanie on the Branching Out: Growing Together podcast live from Chestnut Growers of America and Northern Nut Growers annual conference. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/branching-out-growing-together–5924771/support.
President of Chestnut Growers of America, Roger Blackwell Shares His Story
An exciting new addition to the chestnut-loving community! Melanie Jones, a partner at United Chestnuts, and her husband Brad host the “Branching Out” podcast. The first guest is Roger Blackwell, President of Chestnut Growers of America and the Michigan-based chestnut cooperative Chestnut Growers, Inc. Melanie explains, “We launched the podcast to support our industry’s growing…
Exploring the Art and Science of Chestnut Cultivation – James Nave
Join Melanie Jones, the host of the Branching Out podcast, in a captivating conversation with James “Mike” Nave. Uncover the secrets, challenges, and passion behind chestnut cultivation. Subscribe now for more insightful episodes on tree cultivation and horticulture. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/branching-out-growing-together–5924771/support.
Long Time Chestnut Grower, Michael Parks Shares His Wisdom and Perspectives
In this podcast episode with Michael Parks, Melanie, and Michael engage in a lively discussion about the chestnut community and the importance of educating consumers about chestnuts. They highlight the need for ongoing education, noting that there is still much work to be done to increase awareness and consumption, especially among various cultural groups. They…
