Oregon hazelnut growers to explore organic production at September tour
Oregon Organic Hazelnut Collective will host a Sept. 1 field tour covering organic production, orchard management, equipment and markets.
The Oregon Organic Hazelnut Collective (OOHC) will hold its ninth Annual Summer Tour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 1 at Our Nut Farm in Dayton, Oregon, as certified organic hazelnut acreage is expected to expand among producers participating in transition programs.
USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program reported that certified organic hazelnut acreage was expected to increase by about 40% with transitioning producers participating in mentorship programs.
The free, day-long tour will give growers and industry members a field-level look at organic hazelnut production, orchard management, soil health, equipment and market conditions. Our Nut Farm is a 38-acre certified organic orchard.
Joe Evers, owner of Our Nut Farm, will lead an orchard walk and discuss the farm’s transition to organic production. Nik Wiman of Oregon State University will provide an update on pest pressure and eastern filbert blight.
Other sessions will cover orchard equipment, sheep grazing, plant nutrition and sap analysis. Jed White of Cascade Foods will discuss the record 2025 Oregon hazelnut harvest and the outlook for the industry. Judy Hirigoyen, OOHC marketing director, will discuss awareness and demand for Oregon organic hazelnuts.
The tour and lunch are free with preregistration. The event is funded by the Northwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
Register and learn more about this event on the Oregon Organic Hazelnut Collective website.
Photo courtesy of Oregon Organic Hazelnut Collective (OOHC).