Branching Out: Growing Together

What happens when a Wall Street equity analyst with a master's degree in natural resources turns his attention to chestnut farming? You get one of the most data-grounded, ecologically serious conversations we've had on Branching Out: Growing Together. Brett Hundley of Agroforestry Partners spent 15 years covering packaged food and agribusiness before co-founding a fund that has now planted nearly...

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 and the brand-new Treeborne value-added line. What...

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 for the modern grower. Ta...

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 precision spraying in tight canopies to mapping tree health with LIDAR. Whether you’re managing five acres or five hundred, this c...

While much of American agriculture is stuck in debt and overproduction, a quiet revolution is growing beneath the canopy of chestnut trees. In this episode, Roger Smith of Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers joins United Chestnuts to share how his network of seven-state growers has broken free from the commodity system — and built a model where farmers are price makers, not price takers. From “street-c...

Messy in the Middle: What It Really Looks Like to Build a Chestnut Orchard (and an Industry) 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 mi...

Melanie Jones sits down with Roger Blackwell, President of Chestnut Growers of America, to talk about the momentum building in the U.S. chestnut industry. Together they explore what’s changed, what’s ahead, and how growers across the country are uniting to shape the next chapter of this remarkable tree crop. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/branching-out-growing...

🌐 What the Heck is SEO (and Why Should Chestnut Growers Care?)  Hi friends—Melanie Jones here with United Chestnuts, and today we’re breaking down a big, messy topic in a way that makes sense for farmers: 👉 SEO (Search Engine Optimization) If you're a grower who wants to sell more chestnuts, trees, or host visitors to your orchard—but don’t have time to become a digital marketing expert—this epi...

Today we’re out in the orchard with Nora D’Antuono from the Ecdysis Foundation, talking real‑world regenerative agriculture: soil health that sticks, biodiversity that pays back, and farmer‑led research through the 1000 Farms Initiative. We dig into tools like the BugBox and Xerinx, why insects are powerful indicators of farm health, and how community + data help farmers move from “hope” to “proof...

🎙️ Branching Out: Growing Together At EBB Farms, our Grow-Bag Strategy makes all the difference. We raise each seedling in a three-gallon breathable grow bag inside protected nurseries. They’re watered daily, weeded, and carefully staked — building a dense, fibrous root system that establishes quickly once planted. Before shipping, we gently shake off the soil and send the tree dormant, so you get...

At Pick N Grin Farm in western Kentucky, Willie Huston is doing more than raising crops—he’s cultivating a way of life rooted in observation, resilience, and joy. From silvopasture to biomimicry, mob grazing to music, Willie shares how tending the land has shaped his livelihood, his family, and his community. This episode is a reminder that restoring the earth begins with paying attention to what’...

What drives you to grow chestnuts—not just in year one, but year ten? In this episode, Melanie revisits a question that keeps surfacing in our orchard, at conferences, and in every email from new growers: “What’s your why?” Drawing from personal experience and stories from growers like Brad and Sandy Russell, we explore what happens when you follow your reasons all the way down. Plus, Melanie shar...

🎙️ You’re listening to Branching Out: Growing Together, and I’m your host, Melanie Jones. Today’s solo episode is all about starting with your why—a nod to the wisdom of Simon Sinek, and a principle we live by here at EBB Farms and United Chestnuts. Because when it comes to choosing what to grow—especially tree crops—your reason matters. Maybe you want to improve your soil. Maybe you want to plant...

This Small Business Week, we’re digging deep into how chestnuts can power more than just your pantry — they can build a business. Melanie shares what she’s learned from financial advisor and grower Joel Hubbard and Propagate’s Jeremy Kaufman about building real business models around chestnut orchards. From land structure and taxes to agroforestry and next-generation planning, this episode is pack...

This offshoot episode is based on our recent conversation with Dave Skinner of Whitetal Properties, where we discuss "How to Buy Land with Purpose: Strategies from Dave Skinner." What should you really know before buying a piece of land? In this episode, I sit down with Dave Skinner of Whitetail Properties to talk about the journey from passion to profession — and all the ways you can turn land ow...

What should you really know before buying a piece of land? In this episode, I sit down with Dave Skinner of Whitetail Properties to talk about the journey from passion to profession — and all the ways you can turn land ownership into a meaningful investment. Whether you’re dreaming of a hunting property, a chestnut orchard, or a cabin in the woods, Dave offers practical insights that will inspire...

Podcast Description: In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Scott Smith shares his journey from growing up in the chestnut industry to running a successful orchard in Michigan. We dive into the realities of modern chestnut farming, including harvesting methods, marketing strategies, and why diversification is the key to success. Episode Highlights: The transition from handpicking to m...

In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we explore the evolving landscape of chestnut farming and industry collaboration through United Chestnuts and EBB Farms.🌰 United Chestnuts is expanding beyond just one farm—it’s becoming a national platform to support chestnut growers who want to focus on farming without the burden of branding and marketing. We discuss how this initiative aims t...

🎙 Welcome to Branching Out: Growing Together! 🌱🌰 In this episode, we’re diving into the financial side of farming and entrepreneurship with Joel Hubbard, CPA—a seasoned expert in accounting, tax strategies, and business financial planning. But Joel isn’t just a numbers guy—he’s also a passionate chestnut grower and the owner of Georgia Chestnuts, where he’s actively contributing to the growth of...

Life is full of twists and turns, but those unexpected moments often hold the greatest opportunities for growth. In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together , we explore how to navigate career pivots, personal challenges, and the unpredictability of life with resilience and adaptability. Through deeply personal stories, you’ll discover: How to embrace unexpected opportunities and turn setba...

 In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, we dive into the growing opportunities in U.S. chestnut farming with Jessica Shade from USDA NIFA. Discover how programs like the Specialty Crop Research Initiative are driving innovation and collaboration between growers and researchers. Jessica shares actionable insights on funding, industry challenges, and how you can play a part in shaping t...

In this episode of "Branching Out Growing Together," we sit down with Kathy Dice, co-founder of Redfern Farms, to explore the transformative potential of chestnut farming. Learn about the benefits of chestnuts as a sustainable crop, the role of agroforestry in combating environmental challenges, and the power of community in farming. From the challenges of startup farming to integrating livestock...

Tom Wahl of Red Fern Farms joins Melanie on the Branching Out: Growing Together podcast live from Chestnut Growers of America and Northern Nut Growers annual conference.   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/branching-out-growing-together--5924771/support . Explore More from United Chestnuts Main Website: unitedchestnuts.com The Branching Out Podcast: Listen to Mor...

An exciting new addition to the chestnut-loving community! Melanie Jones, a partner at United Chestnuts, and her husband Brad host the "Branching Out" podcast.  The first guest is Roger Blackwell, President of Chestnut Growers of America and the Michigan-based chestnut cooperative Chestnut Growers, Inc. Melanie explains, "We launched the podcast to support our industry's growing interest in learni...

Join Melanie Jones, the host of the Branching Out podcast, in a captivating conversation with James "Mike" Nave. Uncover the secrets, challenges, and passion behind chestnut cultivation. Subscribe now for more insightful episodes on tree cultivation and horticulture. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/branching-out-growing-together--5924771/support . Explore More...