NEWS
Southern IA Nut Tour and Field Day
Nut production, agroforestry and water quality
Centerville, Iowa (Sept. 16th 2025) - Join the Iowa Nut Growers Association (INGA), Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), Wayne County SWCD, Trees Forever, and Indian Hills Community College for a fun filled day talking nuts and agroforestry at the annual Southern Iowa Nut Tour and Field Day on Saturday, October 4th at Indian Hills Community College.
We will meet at 10:30 am for a tour of the research planting and test plot on the campus of Indian Hills Community College located at 721, n 1st St. in Centerville, Iowa. Attendees can enjoy a leisurely ride on the "Chestnut Express" wagon while learning about all the various nut species being grown, including hazelnuts, black walnuts, pecans, hickories, chestnuts and more.The afternoon features a field day from 2:00 to 4:00 at The Nut Farm located at 9255 120th St. Ottumwa, IA 52501 just northeast of Ottumwa
"The Indian Hills Research Test Plot contains lots of different species of pecan, hazelnut, hickory, black walnut, chestnutes and even some delicious persimmons" said Iowa Nut Growers Association President Mary Ellen Miller. Lunch is provided but registration is required for lunch count.
The afternoon tour of The Nut Farm, located just outside of Ottumwa, is your opportunity to see a producing chestnut and paw paw farm and even do some harvesting of ripe paw paw and chestnuts. David Farrell and Tierney Lain live on the farm and will be our guides as we learn all about what it takes to be successful on a nut farm. The Nut Farm is a SILT property and representatitives will be on hand to talk about the history of the farm.
Attendees can ride the Chestnut Express, a "people mover wagon" supplied by Wayne County SWCD, as it cruises the Indian Hills Research Test Plot accomodating a wide range of participants. Lunch is free, a pizza party in the orchard, but registration is required for lunch count. Register here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TywVatkW3e by Wednesday, Oct 1st or visit the Iowa Nut Growers Association website at https://iowanutgrowers.com/
Contact Mary Ellen Miller at rosehaven1760@gmail.com 515-783-6390, or Jeff Jensen at jeff@jenagres.com 515-320-6756
| What: | Southern Iowa Nut Tour and Field Day |
| Where: | Indian Hills Community College, 721 N 1stSt, Centerville, IA and The Nut Farm, 9255 120th St. Ottumwa, IA |
| When: | Saturday, Oct 4th starting at 10:30 am |
| Why: | Tour the research plot, learn about nut production, experience agroforestry |
| How much: | This event is FREE with lunch provided but registration is required at the link below https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TywVatkW3e |
| Who: | Sponsors include Iowa Nut Growers Association (INGA), Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), Wayne County SWCD, Trees Forever, and Indian Hills Community College |
Click here for Southern IA Nut Tour and Field Day Press Release
Click here for Southern Nut Tour and Field Day Flyer
National Nut Month Is Just Around the Corner
October is National Nut Month, Wednesday the 22nd is National Nut Day
National Nut Month is just around the corner and the Iowa Nut Growers Association is planning events across the state. Mark your calendars for the below events and stay tuned for additional field days and outreach opportunities.
Saturday, Oct. 4th, INGA 2025 Southern Iowa Nut Tour and Field Day, 10:30 am
Indian Hills Community College, 721 N 1st St. Centerville, IA 52544
The Nut Farm, 9255 120th St. Ottumwa, IA Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TywVatkW3e
For details Contact Mary Ellen Miller at rosehaven1760@gmail.com 515-783-6390, or Jeff Jensen at jeff@jenagres.com 515-320-6756
Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, National Nut Day - INGA Nuts in Iowa Webinar, 6:00 pm
Webinar starts at 6:00 pm, must register here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EuS2LVVAtz to receive the Zoom link to join.
We're celebrating National Nut Day and Jeff Jensen, Secretary of the Iowa Nut Growers Association, will be your guide for an exciting journey through Iowa exploring all the nuts we can grow right here in the state; from chestnuts and hickories to hazelnuts and black walnuts don't miss this webinar to learn more.
For details contact Jeff Jensen at jeff@jenagres.com 515-320-6756
Saturday, Oct 25th, Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens Trick or Trees Event, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA 50309-2897
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden hosts an annual Trick or Trees event that features a costume contest for kids along with interactive and engaging displays from a wide range of local and state organizations. The Iowa Nut Growers Association will be exhibiting again this year handing out nut samples and educating the public on the organization.