The Upper Midwest Hazelnut Growers Conference will look a little different this year, but will still be packed with the information on the most up-to-date hazelnut research, management, production, harvesting, processing and marketing. Linda Meschke (Rural Advantage) is hosting the conference with support from UMN Forever Green Initiative and UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships.
The conference will be hosted virtually over the course of 3 days: March 4, 5 and 6, 2021. Programming will run from 9:00 AM – 12:00 (daily agendas are listed below). Each day will end with a thirty minute Nursery Grower Spotlight featuring a regional nursery working with hybrid hazelnuts.
The Growers Conference will be FREE for participants, but registration is required. Attendees will be required to register separately for each day they wish to attend.
Day One is geared toward growers interested in getting started in growing hazelnuts but will be useful for any grower who is interested in the latest recommendations and information producers need to know to make good decisions about starting and managing hazelnut production. Attendees will be able to ask questions and presentations will be made available for download after the conference. Attendees will need to register separately for each day of the conference.
Registration Link: https://z.umn.edu/hazelnutday1
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Conference webinar opens. Attendees are encouraged to log-in early to get settled in and prepared.
9:00 AM – 12: 00 PM – Conference Programming
Intro to UMHDI
Site Selection
Orchard Layout
Plant & Row spacing
Plant Selection
Weed control
Orchard Maintenance
Fertilizing Hazelnuts
12:00 – 12:30 – Plant Nursery Showcase
Join us on Day Two to learn about the latest hybrid hazelnut research, including breeding, micropropagation, insect pests, flavor and food science and mechanical harvesting. Growers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend. Attendees will be able to ask questions and presentations will be made available for download after the conference. Attendees will need to register separately for each day of the conference.
Registration Link: https://z.umn.edu/hazelnutday2
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Conference webinar opens. Attendees are encouraged to log-in early to get settled in and prepared.
9:00 AM – 12: 00 PM – Conference Programming
Got Weevils?
Hazelnut Breeding: Considering Wild American Hazelnut Genetic Diversity at Multiple Scales
Next Generation Hazelnuts from Controlled Crosses
Hazelnut Genomics
Micropropagation
Harvest Mechanization Research Update
Flavor Identification of Bitter Compounds in American Hazelnuts
12:00 – 12:30 – Plant Nursery Showcase
Day Three will cover supply chains, processing, marketing, end-uses and financial planning. Attendees will be able to ask questions and the presentations will be available for download after the conference. Growers of all experience levels are encourage to attend. Attendees will need to register for each conference day separately.
Registration Link: https://z.umn.edu/hazelnutday3
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Conference webinar opens. Attendees are encouraged to log-in early to get settled in and prepared.
9:00 AM – 12: 00 PM – Conference Programming
Update on Market Opportunities and On-going Development
American Hazelnut Company – Processing Hazelnuts
Northland College – Ashland WI Processing Updates
Platteville Swine Feeding Trial Update
USDA Programs
Farm Business Management
Enterprise Budget
12:00 – 12:30 – Plant Nursery Showcase