The Louisa County Extension Office will be hosting a Commercial Chestnut Growers’ Conference on February 11th. The program will be focused on the best practices for growing chestnuts commercially in the Midwest. According to organizers for the event, chestnuts are a valuable nut crop that can be grown in a low-input, chemical-free agroforestry system that includes permanent ground cover. Growing chestnuts commercially is not a fast process, and usually takes 12-15 years to see results. However, once a chestnut farm gets going, it can produce 3,000 or more pounds per acre, and can be sold for an average of $2.60 per pound in Iowa. The conference will go over chestnut markets, cultural practices, cost-share opportunities, and economics. The event will be held in Letts in the Letts Community Room. Preregistration is required by Monday, February 6th, and the cost is $20 per person. To register for the event, call Kathy Dice at 319-729-5905, or click the link below.
