How to Succeed in Chestnut Farming: Lessons from Scott Smith
March 7, 2025
Want to succeed in chestnut farming? In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we sit down with Scott Smith, a second-generation chestnut grower, to talk about harvesting innovations, finding the right market, and the future of chestnut farming.
Scott shares how he transitioned his family’s orchard from handpicking to mechanization, expanded into grocery stores and direct-to-consumer sales, and why diversification—like chestnut beer—will be key to the industry’s future.
🌰 In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to find the right market for your chestnuts
The difference between handpicking and mechanical harvesting
Why community and grower collaboration matter
The importance of registering chestnut cultivars
How diversification can increase profitability
Subscribe for more insights on chestnut farming and sustainable agriculture.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in chestnut farming? Drop a comment below!
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