6th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center,
New Franklin, Missouri

The Missouri Chestnut Roast, held annually in October, is quickly becoming one of Mid-Missouri's premier family-oriented events. 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 pique their interest in purchasing nut products.

Musical Entertainment:

Musical entertainment was provided by the Ironweed Bluegrass Band and Eco Gitano, a unique blend of Caribbean and Spanish guitar. Both bands are based in Columbia, Mo.

Entertainment Tent:

Speakers and topics included Terry Durham, Eridu Farms, "Elderberry Culture and Production"; Sybill Amelon, US Forest Service, "Live Bat Demonstration"; Steve Johnson, Missouri River Communities Network, "Regional Cuisines and Heritage Tourism"; and Lane McConnell, Missouri Department of Agriculture, "Experience Missouri’s Local Foods"

Cooking with Chestnuts Demonstrations:

Executive Chef Eric Cartwright of the MU Dining Services - Plaza 900, prepared three unique chestnut dishes on the stage including chestnut flour crusted salmon, chestnut and edamame salad, and chestnut and celery root puree

Executive Chef Craig Cyr of The Wine Cellar and Bistro in Columbia prepared chestnut granola, roasted chestnut stir fry, and roasted acorn squash stuffed with chestnuts and Greystone Farm sausage

1819 Thomas Hickman House Tours:

Ray Glendenning, HARC Manage, led walk through tours of the newly rehabilitated house throughout the day

Bus Tours:

UMCA personnel Dusty Walter, Mark Coggeshall, Gene Garrett, and Jerry Van Sambeek, US Forest Service, led bus tours throughout the day of the nut orchards and other research areas

Walking Tours:

Tours were led by Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, Lincoln University

Children’s Activities:

• Straw Bale Maze
• "Live Bat Presentation" inside the Entertainment Tent
• Free helium balloons were available at the MU College of Agriculture booth
• Chestnut Roast Fact Hunt kits and free coloring books were available at the Information Tent

Producer and Exhibitor Booths:

• The Chestnut Roasting Booth had free samples of fresh roasted chestnuts
• Chestnut Charlie’s, W. H. Brookhiser & Sons, and Capp’s Chestnut Orchard booths sold fresh chestnuts
• The producer booths had free tasting samples of many products and wine, specialty beer, chestnut, pecan and black walnut products, pine nuts, nut candy, goat cheeses, mustards, elderberry products, and other gourmet products for sale
• Many additional items for sale at the booths included Buck’s Ice Cream, potted chestnut trees, elderberry plants, dried native plant materials, pumpkins and other natural fall decoration materials, Missouri wildflower plants, and specialty wood products
• Free recipes and publications were available at the MU Center for Agroforestry booth
• The New Franklin High School Athletics Boosters Club food concession stand sold grilled elk, buffalo, and beef burgers and brats, hot and cold drinks, and snacks

Contact Information for the Producers and Exhibitors:

Click here to view the Chestnut Roast Photo Gallery.