Winkel Chestnut Farms

10/16/2026

10/13/2026

2026 HARVEST UPDATE: We are now closed for the 2026 season. Thanks to all who came to the farm and for your continued support. We appreciate you all!

Send a message to learn more

10/02/2026

The sun is shining and chestnuts are falling! Today and tomorrow will be great days to pick...open 12-5pm. We will reopen next week Wednesday through Saturday 12-5pm.

10/02/2026

Edit: 2003 was the year of the 2 October hard frost at our farm. This post was intended to be information for fellow chestnut growers. There will be similar "information for growers" over coming seasons.
There has been no frost at our farm this season.
Dick Winkel, 3 October 2026

October 2nd, an important day on our farm calendar. Why? In the last 25 years this is the earliest date that we have seen a hard frost, 28° F or below.
Below this temperature, it is very likely that the living chestnut, the seed to grow next year, will be killed by the cold temperature. Below this temperature, we would assume that a chestnut has been become an unmarketable food item.

At our farm every year, sometime between the 2nd of October and the first few days in November, we experience our first temperature below 28°. And that is the end of our harvest season for the year.
So if we want to be assured of harvesting chestnuts every year, what do we look for? Right, we would really like to see our chestnut trees drop their nut crop by the 2nd of October.
And that gives rise to our autumn record keeping, first harvest and end of harvest for our preferred chestnuts.

09/26/2026

It's a beautiful day to pick chestnuts! We are open today until 5:00 pm and will reopen next Wednesday. 12-5pm Wednesdays-Saturdays.

09/24/2026

CHESTNUT UPDATE: We plan to open this Saturday, Sept 26, 12-5pm for a one-day U-pick. Chestnuts are falling and it looks to be a good weather forecast. If you are wanting to get larger quantities than 10-15 lbs, it will be more abundant picking next week Wednesday, Sept 30 and beyond.

09/12/2026

Winkel Chestnut farms Harvest Update, 2026:
Chestnuts will only be available as U-pick this year, no pre-picked chestnuts.
We are planning to open for U-pick chestnuts on Wednesday day, September 30th.
From then until the end of harvest our schedule will be open U-pick Wednesday through Saturday, from noon until 5:00 p.m.
If we find there are enough nuts falling before the 30th of September, we may open Saturday the 26th of September for a day.
As always, we will watch and see how the harvest goes and let you know if the schedule changes as we get closer to harvest time.

09/07/2026

Having good helpers nearby is a wonderful thing. Many thanks to Amy and Sean for helping prepare for harvest.

08/12/2026

The currently signed up attendance for the Midwest Chestnut Producers Council summer meeting at Thelen's farm in Berrien Springs Michigan is quite low.
The meeting is scheduled for August 23rd. At the moment registered attendance is so low that the meeting might be canceled.

If you are at all interested in chestnuts or chestnut farming, please register ASAP!
PS this is a rare opportunity to see how chestnuts integrate with a real full-fledged working farm.

CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION!

Midwest Chestnut Producers Council Harvest Picnic!
REGISTER TODAY!

Erica Burke and Paul Thelen have graciously agreed to host the 2026 Midwest Chestnut Producers Council Harvest Potluck at their farm (Hillside Orchards) in Berrien Springs, MI on August 23 from 10-2.

As always, the event will feature a farm tour from the owners and plenty of time to network and socialize. The Council will provide lunch, place settings and beverages. Please bring a dish to pass, a folding chair and any additional preferred beverages.

This event is free for Midwest Chestnut Producer Council members in good standing, $50 for nonmembers payable (cash or check) at the event. Membership forms and dues may also be handled at the event for those wishing to join.

Registration is required and is open through August 16th. Register at https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9B846gRql2cVP3E

This event will be held outside, so please plan accordingly. Additional details will be provided to registrants as the date approaches.

04/18/2026

We are into early bud development at our chestnut farm. The most advanced buds are showing just under 1/4 inch of green bud. See the attached photo.
Now, the morning of 20 April 2026 is forecast to get as low as 27°F. This is just below the temperature we have been looking for to show the effect of hard frost on the budding chestnut tree.
What will happen at this stage of bud development? We might be on the path to finding out.