The Future of Chestnut Farming with Scott Smith
Chestnut farming is growing in the U.S., but how can growers ensure success in this evolving industry? In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Scott Smith shares his journey from childhood orchard work to managing Angle Acres, a Michigan farm blending tradition with modern innovation.
Scott’s story isn’t just about chestnuts—it’s about adaptation, legacy, and building a future for the next generation of growers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your operation, this conversation is filled with practical takeaways and stories that remind us why chestnut farming is such a unique and rewarding industry.
Growing Up in Chestnuts: A Family Legacy
Scott didn’t choose chestnuts—chestnuts chose him.
His father, Bruce Smith, was one of Michigan’s earliest growers experimenting with chestnut cultivars. In the 1970s, Bruce planted trees on their farm with no real blueprint—just a curious mindset and a willingness to experiment. Over time, that small test turned into Angle Acres, a 200-acre farm that Scott and his family continue to expand today.
“I was 10 years old planting trees with my dad. It wasn’t something I enjoyed at the time—because, well, I was 10—but looking back, that hands-on experience was priceless.”
- Find this quote at 12:53 in the episode.
Fast forward a few decades, and Scott isn’t just carrying on the family business—he’s innovating it.
5 Takeaways from This Episode
1. If You Grow It, You Need to Sell It
One of Scott’s biggest lessons? Growing chestnuts is only half the job—selling them is the real challenge.
“We all think we can just grow something and people will buy it. But what happens when you’ve got 10 zucchini plants and way too many zucchinis?”
- Find this at 20:10 in the episode.
The same is true for chestnuts. Scott took a direct-to-market approach, starting with one small grocery store. He handed the manager a sample bag of fresh chestnuts and said, “Just try these.” Three days later, they were sold out. That one store turned into 17, and today, he’s built a profitable sales network without relying on a co-op.
His advice? Start small, build relationships, and educate people about chestnuts.
2. The Future of Chestnut Harvesting: Handpicking vs. Mechanization
For decades, chestnuts were harvested by hand—and many farms still do it that way. But as production grows, mechanization is becoming essential.
“If I put 10 people out in the orchard, it would take two days to collect everything. With my harvester, I can do it in about two hours.”
- Find this at 28:45 in the episode.
At Angle Acres, Scott balances you-pick operations with mechanical harvesting. By opening the farm to visitors on select days, he builds relationships with customers while ensuring efficiency in larger-scale production.
3. Why Chestnut Farming is a Community Effort
One thing that makes chestnut farming so different from other crops is the tight-knit community of growers. Scott has been on both sides—he’s seen the co-op model through Chestnut Growers, Inc., and he’s also built an independent sales strategy.
“There’s no one right way to do this—but sharing knowledge is what keeps the industry growing.”
- Find this at 35:20 in the episode.
That’s why he stepped up to take over the Connecticut Chestnut Registry, a massive database tracking chestnut cultivars across the country. His goal is to ensure future growers have the best genetic material to work with and to continue his father’s legacy of innovation.
“We have to document this stuff. Every tree, every graft, every success and failure—it’s how we all get better.”
- Find this at 38:00 in the episode.
4. Finding the Right Chestnut Cultivars for Your Farm
Speaking of cultivars, Scott isn’t just growing chestnuts—he’s developing them.
His father, Bruce, created a registered cultivar called Lorraine, and now Scott has followed in his footsteps with a brand-new tree of his own. The defining characteristic?
“If it starts dropping nuts on Monday, it’s done by Friday.”
- Find this at 42:15 in the episode.
That level of predictability and efficiency is a game-changer for commercial growers, and now, Scott is registering the new cultivar under the name Bruce, in honor of his dad.
5. Diversification is the Future of Chestnut Farming
If there’s one message Scott wants growers to hear, it’s this:
“You can’t just sell fresh chestnuts. You need multiple revenue streams.”
- Find this at 47:30 in the episode.
That’s why he’s started exploring chestnut products beyond raw nuts. His latest venture? Selling chestnuts to breweries for chestnut beer.
“I had a batch of small chestnuts I couldn’t get rid of, so my son started reaching out to breweries. A few were interested—but they needed them peeled.”
- Find this at 49:50 in the episode.
Instead of turning down the opportunity, Scott invested in a chestnut peeling machine, and now he’s opened an entirely new sales channel.
The takeaway? Think beyond fresh chestnuts. Flour, beer, pre-peeled chestnuts—there are so many ways to create demand in the market.
Final Thoughts: Why Scott is Committed to Chestnut Farming
For Scott, chestnut farming isn’t just business—it’s legacy. He’s passionate about educating new growers, expanding market potential, and ensuring that chestnuts continue to thrive in the U.S.
“The industry is growing because people are learning about chestnuts. That’s what excites me the most.”
- Find this at 56:10 in the episode.
His innovative approach to harvesting, selling, and diversifying chestnut products is proof that there’s a bright future ahead—for those who are willing to adapt.
What’s Next?
What part of Scott’s story resonated with you the most? Let’s continue the conversation in the United Chestnuts Community on Facebook.
And if you’re looking for more practical tips on chestnut farming, subscribe to Branching Out: Growing Together and visit unitedchestnuts.com for more resources.
