Educating the Chestnut Consumer with Michael Parks
October 17, 2024
In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Melanie Jones sits down with chestnut grower Michael Parks for a lively and thoughtful conversation about the evolving chestnut industry.
Together, they explore the importance of consumer education, especially as chestnuts re-enter the American food system. While demand is growing, there’s still much work to be done to build awareness—particularly across diverse cultural groups who may have long-standing connections to chestnuts but lack access to fresh, local supply.
Michael and Melanie also dig into the delicate balance between supply and demand. They acknowledge that it’s not a simple equation. Building the market while scaling production requires constant adaptation, collaboration, and creativity.
In addition, they share insights on:
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The low-tech vs. high-tech decisions chestnut farmers face every day
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How direct-to-consumer sales work without relying heavily on digital tools
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What sustainability looks like in real-world orchard management
This episode reflects what the Branching Out podcast is all about—real conversations from the field, with people shaping the future of chestnuts.
🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Audible, and iHeartRadio.
🌰 Learn more and explore chestnut resources at unitedchestnuts.com
🎯 You’ll Hear About:
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The role of education in growing the chestnut market
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Cultural diversity and untapped demand
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Balancing market growth with orchard readiness
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Choosing low-tech or high-tech tools in the field
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Building a sustainable farming model from the ground up
