Missouri Chestnut Roast a Huge Success

More than 1,500 people attend Missouri Chestnut Roast at HARC

Written by · Photography by Logan Jackson · October 20, 2015

NEW FRANKLIN, MO. – A beautiful day brought more than 1,500 people to the Missouri Chestnut Roast at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center on Saturday, Oct. 17.

There were numerous activities for children during the Missouri Chestnut Roast on Saturday, Oct. 17.There were numerous activities for children during the Missouri Chestnut Roast on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The Missouri Chestnut Roast was last held in 2010. It was revived in 2015 – and offered guests plenty of activities throughout the day. The event is hosted by the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.

“We were thrilled to see active participation of the local community,” said Shibu Jose, superintendent of HARC and director of the MU Center for Agroforestry. “We also hosted visitors from all over Missouri and from several of our neighboring states.”

HARC currently has chestnuts for sale in the Forestry Department on the second floor of the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resource Building. Chestnuts are $5 a pound and can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, contact Caroline Todd at toddcs@missouri.edu or 573-884-2874.

Agroforestry practices were highlighted throughout the Missouri Chestnut Roast. Guests were able to sample roasted chestnuts and sit in on chestnut cooking demonstrations. There were tours of HARC and the Historic Hickman House as well.

Numerous vendors were present, too. Booths included demonstrations, samples and educational materials.

“Some folks I spoke with commented on the beauty of the Missouri River Hills and the HARC Farm,” said Michael Gold, associate director of the MU Center for Agroforestry. “Others remarked on how much they learned about Missouri specialty crops likes chestnut, walnut and elderberry, while also having a wonderful day in the country.”

More than 1,500 people attended the Missouri Chestnut Roast on Saturday, Oct. 17.More than 1,500 people attended the Missouri Chestnut Roast on Saturday, Oct. 17.

There were also activities for children, including a straw bale maze, a play area and face painting.

To view pictures of the event, visit flickr.com/photos/cafnr/albums/72157660068137705.

The Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center is located in New Franklin, Mo. For more information about the Research Center, call 660-848-2268 or email Bishopn@missouri.edu. You can also visit their website at harc.cafnr.org/.