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PODCAST

Branching Out: Growing Together

United Chestnuts

Branching Out: Growing Together – Your gateway to the world of small-scale nut and fruit tree farming, hosted by Melanie Jones from her picturesque chestnut farm in Kentucky. Join Melanie and her guests as they explore the latest trends, innovations, and personal stories from the chestnut industry and beyond. Whether you"re a seasoned grower, a curious landowner, or dreaming of rural living, this podcast offers expert advice, practical tips, and meaningful conversations to help you cultivate

leisure home & garden

All Episodes

6:39

How to Get a Farm Number: Our FSA Office Visit...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/09/03

We took a trip to the local USDA Service Center and it turned into one of the most useful days of the year.This episode walks through what FSA and NRCS actually do, how to get a farm number, why a "Highly Erodible Land" determination isn't something to panic over, and the one form standing between specialty crop growers and a $650/acre payment.Featuring our local Kentucky USDA team: Robin Hughes, Barbara Meredith, Sandra Childress, and Hallie Armstrong (Farm Service Agency), and Fanny Ye and Robert

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53:40

From Wall Street to Chestnut Orchards: Brett Hundley...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/06/08

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 1,600 acres of chestnut trees in Kentucky. He's not a romantic about it — he ran the numbers, visited

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48:00

Starting a Chestnut Orchard the Right Way Feat. Jon &...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/05/01

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 You’ll LearnWhy patience is the #1 rule when starting a chestnut orchard (2:00)The simple 1×1×1

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38:00

Sandy Russell on Chestnut Operational Maturity

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/04/04

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.Takeaways from this episode:The 90/10 rule of chestnut supply chains.How to avoid the financial risks of

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36:36

High-Tech Harvest: Transforming Orchards with Drone...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/03/17

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 five hundred, this conversation is a look into the future of sustainable farming.● The Battery Breakthrough: How lithium-ion

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36:58

Welcome to The Chestnut Blueprint

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/02/05

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-corner retail” to standardized genetics and cold-chain precision, Smith’s story is proof that specialty

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8:26

Branching Out Growing Together OffShoot Edition...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2026/01/30

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 middle,” this episode explores what it really looks like to grow a perennial crop—and a community—when

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31:32

Roger Blackwell on Growing a National Chestnut Movement

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/10/09

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-together--5924771/support.

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8:45

What the Heck is SEO (and Why Chestnut Growers Should...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/09/20

🌐 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 episode is for you. We’ll cover:Why chestnut growers need SEO—even if you’re not “online people”Simple ways

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42:38

Ecdysis at EBB Farms: Inside the 1000 Farms Initiative

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/08/29

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.” Recorded at EBB Farms (Western Kentucky)—the chestnut-growing testbed powered by the United Chestnuts

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6:11

OffShoot Edition - Reserve Chestnut Seedlings and...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/08/16

🎙️ Branching Out: Growing TogetherAt 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 the very same strong, orchard-ready trees we plant ourselves. In this episode, we explain why it pays

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52:31

Regenerative Roots: Willie Huston on Farming, Music,...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/08/16

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’s already there. What you’ll hear in this episode:How Willie blends chestnuts, livestock, and

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8:12

Finding Your Why: The Deeper Reasons We Grow Chestnuts

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/07/31

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 shares a simple, powerful reflection tool you can download to clarify your own path. In this episode, you’ll

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12:01

OffShoot Edition - Advantages of Tree Crops

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/07/13

🎙️ 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 a long-term food source, build a family sanctuary, support wildlife, or leave a legacy that’s

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15:26

Land, Legacy & the Future of Farming: Small Business...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/05/05

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 packed with insight for farmers, landowners, and dreamers alike.You’ll hear:Why Joel believes chestnuts

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3:34

Branching Out Growing Together OffShoot Edition -...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/05/03

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 ownership into a meaningful investment. Whether you’re dreaming of a hunting property, a chestnut orchard,

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32:22

How to Buy Land with Purpose: Strategies from Dave...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/04/19

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 you to take the next step.You’ll learn:What shifted in land buying trends post-COVIDHow to choose the

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36:14

Scott Smith on Harvesting, Marketing & the Future of...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/04/19

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 mechanized harvestingHow Scott built a market for his chestnuts (now in 17 grocery stores!)The role of

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21:42

United Chestnuts & EBB Farms – Growing Together in...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/03/02

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 to unite growers, streamline sales, and educate consumers about chestnuts.🌱 EBB Farms continues to stand

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47:27

Growing Financial Stability for Chestnut Growers with...

Branching Out: Growing Together ·

2025/02/23

🎙 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 the chestnut industry. 🌰🌿Joel brings valuable insights on how growers, landowners, and small business

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