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
Starting a Chestnut Orchard the Right Way Feat. Jon & Bill Nash of Nash Nurseries
On this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, host Melanie Jones sits down with Jon and Bill Nash of Nash Nurseries in Michigan. Together, the sixth- and seventh-generation Nashes share the habits, decisions, and community values that turn a first chestnut planting into a thriving orchard — from patience and site selection to tissue culture…
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.
Starting a Chestnut Orchard the Right Way Feat. Jon & Bill Nash of Nash Nurseries
On this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, host Melanie Jones sits down with Jon and Bill Nash of Nash Nurseries in Michigan. Together, the sixth- and seventh-generation Nashes share the habits, decisions, and community values that turn a first chestnut planting into a thriving orchard — from patience and site selection to tissue culture…
Sandy Russell on Chestnut Operational Maturity
Chestnut operational maturity is the difference between a hobby orchard and a resilient business. In this episode of Branching Out, I am joined by Sandy Russell to discuss the rigorous post-harvest systems required to survive a rapidly changing agricultural market. We explore why cold chain management, strict grading, and shared industry standards are absolute necessities…
Beyond the Orchard: Crossing the Operational Breaking Point
In the early days of a growing industry, it is easy to focus entirely on the trees. We often talk about genetics, soil health, and harvest yields. However, as a niche industry approaches national retail, the challenge shifts. It stops being about the crop and starts being about the entire chestnut supply chain system. In…
High-Tech Harvest: Transforming Orchards with Drone Technology
Can a drone really change the way you manage a chestnut orchard? This week, I’m sitting down with Caleb Canter from AeroAg to talk about the leap from hobbyist toys to industrial-grade tools.We explore how autonomous flight is solving age-old problems for growers—from precisionspraying in tight canopies to mapping tree health with LIDAR. Whether you’re managing fiveacres or…
How Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers Are Rewriting Farm Economics
How Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers Are Rewriting Farm Economics Much of American agriculture is stuck in debt, razor‑thin margins, and chronic overproduction. However, a quiet revolution is growing beneath the canopy of chestnut trees. In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Roger Smith of Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers joins United Chestnuts to share how his seven‑state grower…
Being in the Messy Middle | A Branching Out Growing Together OffShoot Edition
What happens after the excitement of planting trees fades—but before everything feels established? In this Messy in the Middle episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Melanie Jones reflects on the often-unseen middle phase of chestnut farming and industry-building. Inspired by the idea of the “messy middle,” this episode explores what it really looks like to…
What’s Next for Chestnut Growers of America | Roger Blackwell on Building a National Movement
In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Melanie Jones sits down with Roger Blackwell, President of the Chestnut Growers of America (CGA), VP of Chestnut Growers Inc. and owner of New Era Chestnuts, to talk about leadership, growth, and the future of the U.S. chestnut industry. Roger reflects on the remarkable progress growers have…
What the Heck is SEO (and Why Chestnut Growers Should Care)
Hi friends—Melanie Jones here with United Chestnuts. Today, we’re breaking down a big topic that sounds technical but is surprisingly simple once you understand the basics: SEO for chestnut growers. If you want to sell more nuts, trees, or welcome visitors to your farm—but feel out of your depth with marketing—this episode is for you….
1000 Farms Initiative: Real-World Regenerative Agriculture with Ecdysis Foundation
The 1000 Farms Initiative is bringing regenerative agriculture down to earth—on real farms, with real data. In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we’re in the chestnut orchard with Nora D’Antuono from the Ecdysis Foundation, where we talk about soil health, biodiversity, and the simple tools helping growers measure what matters. Recorded at EBB…
OffShoot Edition – Reserve Chestnut Seedling Trees Early for Fall Planting
Why Early Reservations Are Essential Chestnut seedling trees are in high demand—and growers are already reserving for fall. In this OffShoot Edition of Branching Out: Growing Together, we explain why it’s essential to reserve your chestnut seedlings early to secure your place in line before supplies run out. Whether you’re planting your very first trees,…
Farming With Purpose: Resilience, Chestnuts, and Community at Pick N Grin Farm
Farming With Purpose: Resilience, Chestnuts, and Community at Pick N Grin Farm In this episode, Melanie sits down with Willie Huston, founder of Pick N Grin Farm, a silvopasture-based chestnut and livestock operation in Western Kentucky. Willie’s approach to farming with purpose is about much more than yields. It’s about observing nature, following curiosity, building…
Finding Your Why: What Keeps Chestnut Growers Going
Finding Your Why: What Keeps Chestnut Growers Going Planting chestnut trees is a long game. And when the weeds are high or the burs are empty, it’s your “why” that keeps you grounded. In this episode, Melanie Jones returns to a foundational question for every grower: What’s driving you to do this? She shares insights…
