Fall Open House - What To Bring-

Folks who are intending to come to our Fall Open House tomorrow, Sat. Oc. 17, will want to be a bit prepared.  For one thing, the temperature when we open at 10 AM is currently forecast to be around 28°F; a considerable change from even yesterday.

Dress warm!  But it may also warm up fast with clear skies and strong sun.

Depending on how long the temperatures are below 28° overnight, it is possible that chestnuts on the trees may be actually frozen tomorrow morning.  They become inedible almost immediately in that case, and any green burrs will not longer open.  But- nuts already on the ground are at near 0 risk of freezing; the ground is still very warm.

Less obviously; you need to be sure your group have shoes on that will withstand walking in layers of chestnut burrs-

Those spines are sharper than needles, literally, and easily penetrate fabric shoes.  It's possible to wear fabric among burrs, but it requires constant care.

Likewise, if you and your family want to take us up on our offer of a FREE gallon of chestnuts; you will definitely want to be prepared with strong leather gloves, to nudge the burrs out of your way.  It would be a good idea if you could bring something like a gallon icecream bucket; our supply there is small.

It's shaping up to be a lovely October day - please join us!

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.

Our New Website - IS LAUNCHED!

Please do take a look at the all new badgersett.com.

This has been the work of years, by Brandon, to get our very old website re-built from scratch - and, finally!  Actually Editable - by normal humans.

Be aware- we still have tons of wording that will be out of date- but we're working on getting that all fixed, bit by bit.  If you find a particularly egregious example, please to let us know, at info@badgersett.com; that will help.

We're amazed, happy - and exhausted, yet again.

Chestnut harvest looming- and huge!

We've been wondering all year if we would get a real chestnut harvest this year, or not- since the abnormally cold spring led our trees here in Minnesota to flower about 2 weeks late.

The trees have made up their minds though, and their answer is YES -

This is T-401-S in flower (and Eleanor beneath) - and all those flower did indeed turn into chestnuts, currently loading the branches heavily.

This tree has had the chestnut blight for 5 years- see how poorly it's doing?  No?  You're correct- it doesn't care.  Even though there is a large basal canker; you simply can't see anything from a distance.  I photograph the cankers each year- and keep worrying they'll win the battle one day; but so far - the tree is winning; and making nut crops to boot.

That's Anastasia posing under the tree, our pony mule; the horses were too busy eating grass- and pruning chestnut limbs; to come when I called just now.

Something that's not only interesting- but important; the size of the nut and the date when they are ripe are often not related; some of our smallest, and some of our biggest nuts- are ripe; now; really quite early for Minnesota: 

Hazels are ripe!

We're about 2 weeks late this year with main hazel ripening; we had a late spring, and cool summer.  But; finally; we're at early peak; if you're not already picking; get out and check!  The crows and jays are working.

And!  DON'T Forget!  Some of the neohybrid hazels have been BRED to NOT look ripe!  So as to fool the jays and crows.  I was far more successful at that than I expected.  Check the nut inside the husk do NOT rely on the color and condition of the husk!

If you're interested in helping out here at Badgersett - you can now send Megan Rutter a Facebook message, and she'll get it via smartphone, right then, as we pick; and tell you where to join us!

PAR