What is the history of the Midwest hazelnut industry?
Back in the early 1900s plant breeders started to cross the native American Hazelnut with a commercial European hazelnut, hoping to develop a crop with the winter hardiness and blight resistance of the American Hazelnut and the larger size and consistent yield of the European. With help from university researchers, the seedlings slowly improved, and by the early 2000s, there were enough hazelnut growers, plants, and enthusiasts to start thinking about growing the industry. The Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative formed in 2007 and started hosting conferences to bring growers together.
At the 2014 hazelnut conference, growers started talking about how, if they worked together, they could share the costs of processing and lay the groundwork for an industry that could transform the Midwestern landscape, fighting climate change on a meaningful scale while building local food systems and producing delicious nuts. Thus, the American Hazelnut Company was born. Since 2014, membership has grown from 14 to 24 farmers, supply has more than doubled, and the product line has expanded from roasted hazelnuts and hazelnut oil to include hazelnut flour and HazelSnackers.
At the 2014 hazelnut conference, growers started talking about how, if they worked together, they could share the costs of processing and lay the groundwork for an industry that could transform the Midwestern landscape, fighting climate change on a meaningful scale while building local food systems and producing delicious nuts. Thus, the American Hazelnut Company was born. Since 2014, membership has grown from 14 to 24 farmers, supply has more than doubled, and the product line has expanded from roasted hazelnuts and hazelnut oil to include hazelnut flour and HazelSnackers.
More questions for curious minds...
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Are other nuts processed on your equipment? (Allergen info)
How do I use hazelnut oil?
How do I use hazelnut flour?
How do hazelnuts grow?
What are your favorite hazelnut recipes?
What sets the Midwest hazelnut industry apart?
How do I join AHC as a grower?
Where can I buy hazelnuts?
Are hazelnuts healthy? (Nutrition facts)
Where do hazelnuts grow?
What is the history of AHC?
How can I see your really fun Instagram?
What is the best way to store my products?
Are your hazelnuts organic?
When will my order arrive?
Do you sell raw hazelnuts?
Are other nuts processed on your equipment? (Allergen info)
How do I use hazelnut oil?
How do I use hazelnut flour?
How do hazelnuts grow?
What are your favorite hazelnut recipes?
What sets the Midwest hazelnut industry apart?
How do I join AHC as a grower?
Where can I buy hazelnuts?
Are hazelnuts healthy? (Nutrition facts)
Where do hazelnuts grow?
What is the history of AHC?
How can I see your really fun Instagram?
What is the best way to store my products?
Are your hazelnuts organic?
When will my order arrive?
Do you sell raw hazelnuts?
