Friday, October 9, 2015

Open House, Oct. 17!!



PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release; 10/8/15

New Minnesota Crops: Chestnuts?? And Pecans!!??  Come See: Oct. 17

Badgersett Farm, in Fillmore County is showcasing both crops at their Open House Saturday, Oct. 17.  “We’ve been growing chestnuts here for nearly 40 years; but a couple of things fell into place this year that let us seriously recommend other farmers in Minnesota consider them as a crop.  And the “pecans” - are actually “hickory-pecans”; hybrids of pecan and two hickory species.  Some of them taste like pecans; and some taste like hickories - but they all - will grow and bear crops in at least the southern half of Minnesota.” says Philip Rutter, founder and chief scientist at Badgersett.
They'll be showing them off at their upcoming Open House, Saturday Oct. 17, at  Badgersett Farm., from 10 AM to 6 PM.
“We’ll feature both crops; but - the chestnut crop is so abundant this year - we are inviting the public to bring their families and pick up the chestnuts for your Holiday stuffing — for FREE!  The first gallon, that is!  And just during the Open House.  That’s way more than most folks ever use in any case.  If folks want to pick up more then one gallon, we will have to charge for it- but a lot less than if we have to pick them up for you!” says Rutter.  “We can’t give away the hickory-pecans yet- but you’ll be able to taste them, and crack some for yourself; you can crack them with a hand cracker, like pecans.  And you can order some for delivery in December.”
Besides the nuts, those attending the Open House will be able to — split chestnut fence rails.  “That’s assuming you know how to handle a sledge hammer and wedge.  This is likely the first time anyone in the USA has split chestnut fence rails for many decades.” according to Rutter, who was also Founding President of The American Chestnut Foundation.  
Visitors will also be able to see the Icelandic sheep flock that has made harvesting both chestnuts and hickory-pecans economcially possible.  With the critical help of a Flash Grant from the Shuttleworth Foundation, Badgersett now considers the sheep “Permanent. They mow grass and weeds better than any human or machine possibly can.  Plus they produce wool - and lambs, which lawn mowers rarely do.”  Rutter grins.  “Then there’s the horses...”
“It’s going to be fun.  You should come and see!”
Contact: 
Higher resolution photos available
Philip A. Rutter  philip.rutter@badgersett.com
Phone toll free: 888 557-4211  (We’re out harvesting! We’ll answer your message as soon as we can)
Map: PDF, or Google Maps, Badgersett Farm.
Badgersett Open House, Sat. Oct. 17 - information and updates
Badgersett website; http://www.badgersett.com/
FaceBook: Badgersett Research Corp



Eleanor Rutter and chestnut crop at Badgersett Farm
World class chestnuts, grown in Minnesota - winter hardy and blight resistant.


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