2026 Joint Conference
of the Northern Nut Growers Association,
the Chestnut Growers of America
Friday, July 31 to Monday, August 3, 2026
Amherst, Massachusetts
Conference Highlights
The annual conferences for the Northern Nut Growers Association (NNGA) and Chestnut Growers of America (CGA) will be held jointly Friday, July 31 thru Monday, August 3, 2026 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Most activities will be at the UMASS Campus Center (1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003), Dining Commons, UMASS Hotel, and Residence Halls. The conference’s main events include a welcoming dinner with a show and tell session, two all-day technical sessions, live auction, social/banquet, and an all-day field tour. The Parking Garage is 91 Campus Center Way.
This conference is open to everyone with an interest in trees and shrubs managed for their nuts or our native trees managed for their fruits. Attendees will include a diverse mix of commercial growers, researchers, educators, extension specialists, and hobbyists. Expect to hear a lot about chestnuts and hazelnuts, especially when grown in agroforestry practices; although, the other nut trees including the hickories, walnuts, and oaks are well represented.
Contact NNGAConference@gmail.com if you have questions about the conference.
Campus Center is 1 Campus Center Way and The Parking Garage is 91 Campus Center Way
Friday, July 31, 2026
Arrive on Thursday, July 30 and plan to participate in the NNGA Board of Director’s open meeting at the UMASS Campus Center from 9:00 am to noon on Friday, the CGA Board of Director’s meeting from noon to 2:00, then register before traveling to Yellowbud Farms for a farm tour and later to Sunderland Town Park Pavilion for the evening. We will help arrange for carpooling from the Campus Center to the Sunderland Town Park Pavilion for those coming to the conference without vehicles.
Conference attendees can pick up their name tags and registration packets between 3:00 and 5:00 pm at the Registration Desk in Campus Central. The Concourse will be available to set up exhibits and posters; however, this is an unsecured public space in a public building. A locked storage area will be available for overnight storage.
After registering and checking in to the resident hall, drive to Yellowbud Farms (544 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA 01360) to tour their operation or go directly to Sunderland. At Yellowbud Farms, you will see the Yellowbud hickory nursery and orchards, chestnuts, forest farming, and hickory oil pressing, and more. Northfield is 23 miles north of UMASS via MA-63 N. Sunderland is 6 miles northwest of UMASS via MA-116 N/Amherst Rd. Sunderland is 18 miles southeast of Northfield via MA-63 S and MA-47 S.
A welcome dinner with cash bar is planned from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the Sunderland Town Park Pavilion. There is no street address, but it is just past 42 Park Road, Sunderland. The Pavilion is a 10-minute (6 mile) drive from the UMASS campus via MA-116 N/Amherst Rd. The member-sharing Show and Tell session will start around 7:00 pm and end around 8:30 pm. The Show and Tell session will include short presentations up to 10 minutes from individuals who have built or tried new equipment, new techniques, promote new promising selections or cultivars, had some recent successes or failures, and maybe a little of the unexpected. If you’re interested in doing a ‘lightning’ talk, contacted Jerry Henkin (sproutnut@aol.com) to see if space is still available.
Registration will open on Monday around 7:30 am in the foyer outside the Auditorium in Campus Central. Skirted tables will be available to set up exhibits and posters on the Concourse. Set up is scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 am with scheduled opening at 10:00 am when we have the first break in the technical program. Items for the auction along with donation sheets should be turned in at the registration desk, then stored and displayed in Room 165-69.
The Saturday session will begin with the 117th NNGA Annual Business meeting from 8:30 to 9:00 am in the Auditorium. CGA members are encourage to attend to participate in discussions on future shared tasks. After the meeting, we will begin the first day of presentations with our first keynote presentation followed by two concurrent sessions. One session will have the traditional presentations (25 min plus 5 min Q&A) and the other session in-depth presentations (50 min plus 10 min Q&A). The afternoon session will close with two concurrent forums. During breaks if you want coffee or snacks, you will need to visit the coffee shops above the Auditorium.
Plan to return early from dinner on your own to participate from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in a poster and exhibitor session and viewing of the auction items with a cash bar. The auction will start around 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend – bring your checkbook, cash or credit card and your contributions! Proceeds go to support the NNGA and CGA research grants programs.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
On Sunday morning, we have arranged for a special walking tour of the on-campus chestnut silvopasture practice at 8:00 am. Meet at the Campus Center.
Similar to Saturday’s program, our second keynote presentation begins at 9:00 am followed by concurrent sessions throughout the day ending with three forums.
We will have the traditional social and banquet on Sunday evening in the Student Union Ballroom. Anticipate being called together for the annual group photo around 6:00 pm (the cash bar will not open until the group photo has been taken). The banquet should start around 7:00 pm with the evening’s program to begin around 8:00 pm (times still subject to change). Some highlights of the banquet program include selection of a new Big Nut, election of NNGA Officers and Board members, recognition of our major sponsors, and presenting the merit and service awards.
Monday, August 3, 2026
Monday will be a day filled with field tours. Please indicate when you register if want to ride the Chartered bus (preferred) or use your personal vehicle. We plan to board busses from 7:30 to 8:00 am (subject to change) to travel to either Carr’s Cider House orchards (295 River Dr., Hadley, MA 01035) or Big River Chestnuts (195 River Road, Sunderland, MA 01373), then switch locations at 10:00 am. A box lunch will be served at the Sunderland Town Park Pavilion.
In the afternoon, we will be taking long bus rides to either Breadtree Farms (7 Rock Street, Greenwich, NY, 12834; 130 miles north via I-91) or the Lockwood Farms/Sleeping Giant Chestnut Plantation (890 Evergreen Ave, Hamden, CT 06518; 82 miles south via I-91. We are encouraging attendees to ride the busses and network. Expect to return to the UMASS campus around 7:00 pm. Check out in the morning, put your luggage in your vehicle if not staying in the residence halls Monday night. Guests checking out of a dorm or hotel can leave their vehicles parked until the return at the end of the day.
Posters and exhibits can be set up on the Concourse of the Campus Central on Saturday morning. We have a few easels without boards and can rent double-sided boards on wheels. Bring push pins. A table with two chairs will be set up for each paying exhibitor. We are asking poster presenters and exhibitors to be near their displays on Saturday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm so attendees returning from dinner on their own can stop and visit with the poster presenters and exhibitors. Exhibitors can lock their display items in Room 165-69 overnight.
If you have fliers or other items you would like included in the registration packet, please contact NNGAconference@gmail.com to determine when and where to ship your materials. Campus Central will accept materials starting July 28 if sent to UMass Conference Services, Campus Center Receiving, Northern Nut Growers Association Annual Conference. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, Attention: CS# 27023. Alternatively, send them earlier to Elodie Eid, 8 Hotel Road, Warwick, MA 01378.
Exhibitors and poster presenters are expected to register for the conference to participate in the various sessions, refreshment breaks, welcome, banquet and/or field tours. Exhibitors have the option to register for a table ($100) or become a sponsor (see the SPONSERSHIP tab) and have the exhibitor table fee waived.
The traditional live auction is scheduled for Saturday evening. We plan to display auction items during the day in the room adjacent to the breakout room (163C). Please consider donating items to the auction even if not a NNGA or CGA member. The donation sheets will ask which organization should receive the proceeds from your items. Both the NNGA and CGA use the proceeds to support their research grants program for tree-related research. In the past, auction items have included books, artwork, handmade crafts, plant material, homemade nut-based or baked goodies and/or gift certificates. If you donate baked goods, please label your treats as to whether they are nut, dairy, and/or gluten-free. If you are an exhibitor, you may want to donate items, especially the items you are marketing, to the auction to increase your exposure at the conference. If you have auction items but are unable to attend, please email Elodie at Eid.Elodie@gmail.com and ship them to Elodie Eid, 8 Hotel Road, Warwick, MA 01378.
The Campus Center has a policy that does not allow us to bring in outside food for consumption; however, baked goods, homemade candy, and fermented beverages are allowed in the auction.
There will be no formal companion (CAPS) program. During the keynote presentation on Saturday and Sunday, Room 163 - 164 will be available from 8am to 10am for folks to meet informal to discuss possible venues and arrange for carpooling if not on campus. A local volunteer will be available to answer questions and provide information to interesting on- and off-campus venues.
The welcome dinner on Friday evening is included in the full and Friday thru Sunday registration. The social/banquet on Sunday evening is included in the full, Friday thru Sunday, and Technical Session registrations. For other meals, we will be on our own to explore the coffee shops in Campus Central, the Dining Commons in the adjacent building, and the off-campus restaurants within walking distance in Amherst. The Dining Commons is setup like a food court with lots of diversity. The food should be good; Dining Commons has earned the title of Best College Campus Food, repeatedly.
We have reserved blocks of rooms thru July 1 at the North Residential Area (all singles), Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community (singles and doubles), and a few at the UMASS hotel for each night starting July 30 (Thursday night) through August 3 (Monday night). After July 1, guests may reserve rooms on a space available basis up until July 15, 2026. We will book our own rooms using a link provided by UMASS. When ready, it will be posted on the NNGA website. The link will have a page listing all of the dorm options. Suite assignments are made based on accessibility needs, special requests, room/suitemate requests, and gender. If you want to share a suite or double room with someone, both need to submit each other’s name in the request section. Check in time is 3:00 pm on the arrival date. Check out time is 11:00 am day of departure.
The North Residential Area contains “suite-like” air-conditioned apartments. Each apartment includes four single bedrooms ($75/person/night), two full bathrooms, and a shared living room/kitchen area.
The Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community contains a variety of air-conditioned apartments and suites with a living room and one bathroom (kitchens are not guaranteed). Suites are available with two doubles, two singles and a double, or four singles
When reserving dorm rooms, guests are required to pay in full at the time of booking. Along with lodging ($75/person/night), guests will be billed $15/person for a linen set (two sheets, pillow with case, a blanket, and two towels), taxes (6%), and administrative fees (3%).
UMASS will provide parking information specific to where you are staying and lot availability prior to check in. For easiest access to the Campus Center/Student Union Complex (1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003), it is recommended that participants enter the Campus Central Parking garage (91 Campus Center Way and the entrance is on Level 3) and proceed down one level to Level 2. There is a tunnel on Level 2 that will bring you directly into the entrance level of Campus Central. Take the escalator or elevator down to the Concourse, Auditorium, and meeting rooms. Luggage carts are available either in the tunnel or the hotel lobby (third floor of Campus Central)
Surface Lot parking maybe be available. Parking permits must be obtained, displayed, and are only valid for lots as indicated. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense.
The UMASS campus Is conveniently located about 6 to 10 miles off Interstate 91. Exit 25 (Northampton) from the south or Exit 36 (Deerfield) from the north. The campus is also accessible via Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike), which connects to I-91 North at exit 45 (West Springfield).
The UMASS campus has service from the Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, CT; 45 miles) and Boston Logan Airport (BOS) 90 miles. Peter Pan Bus Lines (800-343-9999) provides shuttle/bus service from Logan to the campus. AMTRAX service is available to Springfield Union Station 22 miles from the UMASS campus. Peter Pan Bus Lines (800-343-9999) provides shuttle/bus service from Logan and Springfield AMTRAX to the campus.
Registration is now open. Each attendee should complete their own registration online at Ticket Taylor. The link is also provided on the NNGA and CGA websites. Payment may be made through a credit card or opting to send a check to Deborah Milks, NNGA treasurer, PO Box 1166, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Alternatively, you may mail a check and the registration form (Click here for a hard copy form) to the above address. You can also find the form in the spring of The Nutshell (pages 19-20).
Early registration is encouraged to allow the planning committee to make this the best conference possible!
Four registration options are available to choose from:
- $265; Full Registration (all events Friday thru Monday)
- $215; Friday thru Sunday all events except field tour
- $175; Saturday and Sunday technical with banquet
- $130; Monday Field Tour with lunch and bus transportation
Full conference registration includes the registration packet; printed program with abstracts; favor; Friday’s welcome reception and Show and Tell session; Saturday and Sunday technical sessions, Saturday auction, Sunday social/banquet, and Monday field tour with box lunch and bus transportation. None of the registrations include transportation on Friday.
Discounts are available. Student ($100 off full or $75 Sat-Sun); NNGA or CGA member ($20); and Speaker. Contact NNGAConference@gmail.com if you are a speaker for your discount code.
Scholarships to cover full registration are available for new growers and students who may not otherwise be able to attend the conference. Contact MJ Oviatt (mj@savannainstitute.org) to obtain a scholarship application form. Scholarships will be awarded first come, first serve.
Register by June 15 to avoid the $50 late fee. Full refunds will be available through July 5, full refund less a $50 processing fee through July 16, and no refunds after July 16 with few exceptions.
Sponsorship and Exhibitor packages at levels ranging from $500 to $10,000 are available to assist with conference expenses and providing scholarships. These packages offer significant benefits to the contributing individual or organization including conference recognition, free advertising in the conference program booklet, Marketplace, and The Nutshell; waiving of registration and exhibitor fees; and welcome/banquet tickets. Contact NNGAconference@gmail.com to arrange payment, invoicing, and codes to waive fees included in benefits. Click here or below for more information. 
A complete list with times and revised titles will be include in the summer issue of The Nutshell and on the NNGA website when available. The following is a tentative list of speakers and their topics.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS (50 min+10 min Q&A)
Jono Neiger, Big River Chestnuts and the Regenerative Design Group
Russell Wallack, Success, Failures, and Projects at Breadtree Farm
IN DEPTH PRESENTATIONS (50 min+10 min Q&A)
Buzz Ferver, Plant Physiology: Stratification or Grafting
Seva Water, Hazelnut Culture: Integrating Indigenous and European Practices
Erik Shellenberg, Syntropic Agroforestry Practices
Eric Toensmeier, Update on Oak Breeding
Jesse Markson, Update on Genetics and Potential of Yellowbud Hickory
Mark Hamann, Hazelnut Evaluation/Clonal Propagation
Amy Miller, You Harvested Your Chestnuts. Now what?
TRADITIONAL PRESENTATIONS (25 min+5 min Q&A)
Christina Barney, Non-chemical Means of Protecting an Orchard from Pests
Jonathan McRay and Samantha Bosco, Mycena Agroforestry Initiative
Dale Bergdahl and Martin Kratt, Our Butternut Project is Doing Well
Brian Caldwell, NYTCA Chestnut Marketing and Aggregation Pathways
Matt Grason, KTCC Nut Processing Update
Levi Geyer, Managing Forests for Hickory Nut Production
William Padilla Brown, Orchard Establishment and Management with Mycrosymbionts
Zach Elfers, The Past, Present, and Future of Hickories
David Hughes, Marketing Top Quality Nuts
Lou Judge, Nuts for the Next Generation: Farm Succession Planning
Matt Kaminski and Rachel Hass, Learnings on Silvopasture and Nut Orchards
Diana Laurentitis, Establishing Food Forest in Western Massachusetts
Tom Molnar, New Hazelnut Cultivars from Rutgers
Bob Stehli, Update on Our Chestnut Breeding Program
Bill Stouffer, Chestnut and Wheat Alley Cropping
Gordon Wilkinson, Drought and Heartnut Production in Ottawa and Nova Scotia
Nate Westrick, Oak Wilt at Our Doorstep: What It Means for Oaks and Chestnuts in the Northeast
Harry Green, Financing and Funding Chestnuts with Farmer-Controlled Markets
Magni Hussain, Automated Chestnut Sorter for Damage, Pests, and Disease
SHOW & TELL (LIGHTNING) (5 min + 5 min Q&A)
Elodie Eid, Tree Crop Resources for Chestnut, Honey Locust, and Yellowbud Hickory for the Northeast
Brian Caldwell, New York Tree Crops Alliance Update
Douglas Spangler, NNGA Library Resources
John Kelsey, Field Evaluation of Crackable Walnut and Hickory
Andrew Faust, Creating Permaculture Legacy Landscapes
POSTER AND EXHIBITS
Susanna Keriö, Hypovirulence for Chestnut Blight Management
Erin Quinn, Rutgers Hazelnuts
2026 Anticipated Forums (Panels)
Chestnut Marketing, Aggregating, and Economics
Hazelnut Breeding and Propagation
Oak Wilt in Chestnut
Black Walnut: Questions and Answers
If you would like to attend our conference but cannot afford the cost, you can apply for a conference scholarship. We believe that the financial burden of attending our conference should not be a barrier for attending. So, we have created a scholarship fund which both receives donations and offers scholarships to members.
These scholarships cover the full cost of registration. We ask that recipients of scholarships be willing to help out at the meeting with logistical tasks. It's a great chance to interact with people who make things happen.
If you would like to make a one-time donation (at any level) to the scholarship fund, please donate here. We currently only have enough money for 5 scholarships.
Please note that scholarship applications must be submitted by June 15, 2026.