3rd Annual Chestnut Roast
October 29, 2005
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center
New Franklin, Mo.
The Missouri Chestnut Roast, held annually in October, is quickly becoming one of the premier family-oriented events for mid-Missouri and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The event is an outstanding opportunity to introduce families and landowners to the broad range of possibilities and benefits agroforestry practices can provide. Hundreds of visitors each year enjoy their first sample of sweet, Missouri-grown roasted chestnuts, along with a variety of products featuring locally-grown black walnuts and pecans, recipes and nutritional information to peak their interest in purchasing nut products. The 2005 Chestnut Roast drew a record crowd of approximately 4,000 guests to the HARC farm to learn about agroforestry.
New Attractions Featured at the 2005 Event:
- Live bat demonstration - U.S. Forest Service
- Tree grafting demonstration - from Forrest Keeling Nursery
- Wreath making demonstration (using decorative florals grown through agroforestry) - the Native Plant Society
- Live music by The Ironweed Bluegrass Band throughout the day
- Wood lathe demonstration with souvenirs for children
- Storytelling, featuring the fascinating history of the area
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A workshop featuring decorative woody florals, one of the diverse niche products that can be produced through agroforestry, was a new event at the 2005 chestnut roast. |
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Roasted chestnuts are a popular treat at the annual event. Many of the free chestnut samples served at the Roast are nuts harvested fresh from the HARC farm. |
