Growing Up in Chestnuts: Scott Smith’s Journey from Orchard to Market

From Family Roots to a Thriving Orchard

In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Melanie interviews Scott Smith, a second-generation grower from Michigan who’s taken modern chestnut farming to the next level.

Scott shares how he grew up in the orchard, watched the industry evolve, and built a profitable business selling chestnuts in 17 grocery stores—with an eye on innovation, collaboration, and community. Whether you’re just planting your first trees or managing a full-scale operation, Scott’s story is packed with practical wisdom.

🎧 Episode Highlights

• The transition from handpicking to mechanized harvesting

• How Scott built a strong chestnut market in grocery retail

• The power of grower collaboration and cultivar registration

• How breweries are using chestnuts to create seasonal flavors

• Why success in chestnuts depends on community, not just crops

🌱 Who Should Listen?

• Aspiring or current chestnut growers

• Farmers interested in diversification and value-added markets

• Ag professionals exploring specialty crop sales strategies

• Anyone passionate about regenerative agriculture and local food systems

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how to thrive in today’s chestnut industry.

📌 Resources & Links

• United Chestnuts Website – tips, nursery info, grower tools

• EBB Farms Store – buy seedlings and learn how to plant

• www.unitedchestnuts.com/resources