Chestnuts In The Ozarks

05/29/2026

https://www.newsweek.com/the-largest-us-groundwater-supply-is-running-out-11998061

Articles like this are a reminder that the future of American agriculture may look very different than it does today.

Much of our country’s food production depends on massive underground aquifers that are being drained faster than nature can replace them. Farmers across the U.S. are already facing drought, declining groundwater, and increasing pressure on water supplies.

One reason we believe so strongly in chestnuts is because they represent a different kind of agriculture, perennial food systems built for the long haul.

Unlike many annual crops that require constant tillage, planting, and heavy irrigation, chestnut trees have deeper roots than annual crops, help protect the soil, and once established can thrive with far less input. A chestnut orchard planted today can feed families and wildlife for generations.

We may not be able to control the weather or the water crisis, but we can choose to plant crops that work more with nature instead of against it.

That’s part of the vision behind our orchard. 🌰

New study shows America’s largest underground water source is depleting fast, raising risks for farming, food supply and price volatility.

05/26/2026

The chesnut orchard is finally coming alive in full bloom. 🌰

This section of the orchard marks the 4th year for our chestnut trees in the ground, and it’s incredible to see how far they’ve come. What once looked like nothing more than small twigs has now grown into resilient young trees loaded with blooms.

Seeing the orchard wake up each spring makes all the hard work worth it.

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

05/22/2026

There’s something mesmerizing about watching honeybees move through a chestnut orchard in late spring. Every bloom they visit is part of a much bigger story, thriving pollinators, and trees that can feed wildlife and people for generations. This is the kind of work we love sharing here at the farm. If you enjoy orchards, conservation, chestnuts, and life out in the country, follow along.






ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

05/15/2026

Spent the end of the afternoon cruising the through the pollinator habitat, admiring the yellow coreopsis absolutely exploding with color. Days like this make all the hard work worth it. There’s something peaceful about seeing the land come alive and hearing the hum of pollinators as the sun starts to drop over the Ozarks. Grateful for this place and the chance to build something that gives back to nature and grow food for people.

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

05/09/2026

They’re not just for roasting on an open fire. Chestnuts, hardy enough for the rocky soil of the Ozarks, can be milled into flour, brewed into beer and used in place of wheat. Brad and Sandy Russell, owners of Chestnuts In The Ozarks in Omaha, are tapping into this market, supplying blight-resistant, nutrient-rich nuts to tables across the region.

05/08/2026

It’s finally here, our nursery transition is complete. After weeks of planting and building, all of our inventory has moved from the greenhouse into the new nursery, protected with insect netting to reduce leaf damage and improve tree quality from the start.

We’re offering around 15 different seedling varieties this season, including several that are already in limited supply. If you’re looking for native trees, we also have Ozark Chinquapins available an important and rare cousin to the American chestnut. Most of our seed stock is sourced directly from trees right here on our farm, ensuring strong local genetics and adaptability.

Now is one of the best times to visit. Over the next couple of weeks, the orchard will be in full bloom, making it an ideal window to see the trees, the system, and the operation in its peak condition.

Tours are available now through our website, spots are limited during bloom season, so scheduling ahead is recommended.

If you’re interested in trees, restoration planting, or adding natives to your land, reach out anytime. We’re happy to help you choose the right
varieties for your goals.

05/03/2026

There’s something special about a quiet Sunday morning in the Ozarks. This moment was captured right outside our front window here on the farm.

Not too many years ago, seeing a turkey out here was rare, and if they caught even a glimpse of us from a distance, they were gone in an instant. But after years of steady habitat work across the land, things are changing. The turkeys are making their way back.

It’s a rewarding feeling to watch them return and settle in. Little by little, they’ve grown comfortable, even lingering nearby like they belong here again. They’ve taken a liking to wandering through our chestnut orchard too!

Now we’re looking ahead with hope for a strong hatch of poults later this spring. Moments like this make all the effort worth it!!

Chestnuts 🌰 In The Ozarks

chestnutsintheozarks.com

management

04/19/2026

This photo came in today from a customer in Iowa who visited our farm last fall to pick up Ozark Chinquapin trees. Over winter, these trees were pushed to their limits, enduring nine straight days below zero, including a brutal first night that dropped to -14°F. This tree is just beginning to break dormancy, getting ready to push out a fresh set of leaves.

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

04/11/2026

A couple of weeks have gone by and the Ozark Chinquapin chestnuts are beginning to take off. Since then we’ve added all of our orchard chestnut seedlings to the greenhouse. Slowly but surely they are filling out the trays. Many different seedling varieties to be offered this year. A good portion of the inventory will find its way into our orchard. If you’re considering chestnut trees for your own property now is the time to reserve for the fall. Most of the trees should average 5 to 6 feet by the fall. Some could even be taller.

Chestnutsintheozarks.com

04/04/2026

Happy Easter weekend!

If it’s raining in your area and your looking for something different to listen to please check out Sandy Russell as she shares insights from her experience leading a global supply chain and technology platforms, and how those lessons apply to the future of the chestnut industry. It’s a downstream look for farmers at what it takes to grow, scale, and do it with the right structure in place.

https://youtu.be/AzmICUIjjlI?si=gKIgvbMVvAYEPNnB

Chestnutsintheozarks.com

We sit down with Sandy Russell to discuss the realities of scaling a chestnut orchard. We cover the shift from planting trees to managing the 90% of the work...