Fifteen years ago, early-adopter growers, private breeders, and researchers from the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin got together to set an ambitious goal ... build a new crop and industry from scratch. This was no small task given it takes 20+ years to develop a new hazelnut variety and we were starting with zero dollars and zero staff.
What resulted was the creation of the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative (UMHDI). Thanks to ongoing collaborations with our community of early-adopter growers and stakeholders, we've come a long way in 15 years:
- UMHDI 1st Generation Hazelnut Varieties have been selected after more than a decade of evaluation and are being propagated as we speak for growers to start planting.
- More than 20 acres of new breeding populations have been planted as we work to develop even better 2nd Generation varieties.
- A grower-owned hazelnut processing and marketing company (American Hazelnut Company) is up and running providing an easy market for hazelnut growers.
- The UMHDI processing line in Ashland makes it possible for anyone to turn in-shell hazelnuts into saleable kernel.
- Six grower networks are in operation, providing assistance to growers in planting, producing, and selling hazelnuts.
- More than 20 researchers and graduate students are conducting a range of research and development projects working on propagation, agronomics, plant breeding, harvesting, de-husking, and marketing.
Go-First Farms - The Next Step for the UMHDI
Development of any new crop or technology has three main phases: research & development, demonstration, commercialization & scale-up. The UMHDI is now entering the demonstration phase where we use the initial propagules of our 1st Generation varieties to plant Go-First Farms across the region. These farms have three functions:
- Demonstrate and validate the 1st Gen varieties grown in the Midwest hedgerow system.
- Jumpstart regional supply chains by providing harvesting, de-husking, and grower training.
- Provide the space we need to evaluate 2nd Generation progeny and selections.
To complete this phase, we need your help. We are seeking to raise $30,000 between now and the end of 2022 to establish the first three farms.
Send a birthday gift to UMHDI here.
Thinking About Planting Hazelnuts in 2023?
We're in an exciting time in the hazelnut world as breeders are releasing improved plant material every year. The best way to stay up to date is by connecting to the Buy Plants page on our UMHDI website. Learn about what is available and get on our mailing list to receive periodic updates.