Strong Roots, New Growth / Emerging Markets
Tree Crops Farm Walk: Chestnuts & Hazelnuts
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Location: Hemlock Grove Farm, West Danby, NY
Farm address will be provided to registered participants.
Organized by: Khuba International and Viva Acres
In collaboration with: Hemlock Grove Farm and CCE-Tompkins Agroforestry Program
Cost: Free
Capacity: 20 participants
Registration link
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YNBZHKP
Workshop Purpose
Join us for a farm walk at Hemlock Grove Farm exploring the management of chestnuts and hazelnuts, and other perennial crops within a mature organic farming system.
Part of the Strong Roots, New Growth / Emerging Markets Workshop Series, this field-based workshop will introduce participants to perennial crop production as an opportunity to diversify farms, develop new markets, and build agricultural systems that support long-term soil health and ecological resilience.
Participants will walk through established plantings at different stages of maturity and learn directly from farmer Brian Caldwell, who brings more than 40 years of experience in organic farming. At Hemlock Grove Farm, Brian maintains perennial vegetative cover throughout his orchards of apples, chestnuts, and hazelnuts. This approach protects and improves soil health while supporting a productive and diversified perennial farming system.
The farm walk will provide an opportunity to see these practices in the field and discuss both the practical realities and opportunities involved in establishing and managing perennial crops.
Learning Topics
Participants will explore:
Establishment and management of chestnuts and hazelnuts
Soil health within perennial farming systems
Maintaining perennial vegetative cover and managing the orchard understory
Managing mature plantings and observing crops at different stages of production
Diversifying farm production through multiple perennial crops
Market opportunities and the economic potential of tree and perennial crops
Lessons learned from more than four decades of organic farm management
Audience
This workshop is open to beginning and established farmers, orchardists, agroforestry practitioners, landowners, gardeners, and community members interested in perennial agriculture, agroforestry, organic farming, and emerging agricultural markets.
No previous experience with tree crops or agroforestry is required