The Go Nuts! podcast began in January 2019. Join host Gina Zimbardi where she interviews guests on a variety of nut-related and ecology-related topics from NNGA history, squirrel species, breeding programs, and much more. New episodes are posted on the 1st and 15th of the month.

This will be the home to all Go Nuts! podcasts, including the first season. Keep checking back to see past episodes.

Go Nuts! 2020 – Season 2

Go Nuts – December

Single Topic Episode

Guest: Gina Zimbardi, NNGA Communications Manager

Topic: I was recently invited to present at the yearly Farmer Veteran Colation’s Annual Meeting. This is an edited audio version of that presentation. My goal was to inform new audiences about the NNGA’s purpose, as well as make connections between our nonprofits.

Go Nuts – November, Part 2

Part II

Guest: Erin Lizotte, Michigan State University

Topic: This month’s podcast focuses on Erin Lizotte’s work with Michigan State University. We discuss her interests in pest management and educational outreach.

Go Nuts – November, Part 1

Part I

Guest: Erin Lizotte, Michigan State University

Topic: This month’s podcast focuses on Erin Lizotte’s work with Michigan State University. We discuss her interests in pest management and educational outreach.

Go Nuts – October

Part II

Guest: Morgan Hibbs

Topic: Gina talks to Morgan Hibbs, Education Outreach Coordinator for Linn County Education Outreach in Iowa. They discuss the merits of educational outreach programs for classrooms and beyond. Morgan shares her ideas for online/internet learning in the time of Covid-19. Other topics include the importance of teaching agriculture culture to young learners as well as encouraging further education and future job placements in agriculture.

Go Nuts – September

Part I

Guest: Morgan Hibbs

Go Nuts – August

Single Topic Episode

Guest: Gina Zimbardi

Topic: Gina reads from the 1911 Northern Nut Growers Association Annual Report discussing the beginnings of the NNGA. She reads from the Garden Magazine, May 1911 an article from Robert Morris called “Why Not Grow Nuts” which discusses the importance of growing nut crops as a valuable food crop.

Go Nuts – July, Part 2

Part II

Guest: Jonas Frei

Topic: Gina talks to Zurich artist and historian, Jonas Frei, about his absolutely stunning work tracing the history of walnuts in Central Europe. Jonas shares his story about piquing his curiosity after finding walnuts in a local park in Zurich and how it inspired him to write and illustrate his book Walnuss.

Go Nuts – July, Part I

Part I

Guest: Jonas Frei

Go Nuts – June

Single Topic Episode

Guest: Gina Zimbardi

Topic: Gina Zimbardi reads from the 1916 Northern Nut Growers Association’s Annual Report, “The Importance of Nut Growing” by H. W. Collinwood. This article gives an excellent insight of nut culture in the early 20th century and provides wonderful anecdotes that inspired nut growers.

Go Nuts – May, Part 2

Part II

Guest: Sandy Anagnostakis

Topic: Gina and Sandy discuss Dr. Anagnostakis’s outstanding career in chestnut genetics beginning with an interest in fungi and evolving into her seminal work at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

Go Nuts – May, Part 1

Part I

Guest: Sandy Anagnostakis

Go Nuts – April, Part 2

Part II

Guest: Amy Miller

Topic: Gina and Amy talk about their 30-year friendship and how it influenced both of their careers. Amy talks about a previous presentation about the multi-faceted and diverse ecology of nut orchards as well as land use and stewardship. Amy talks about her experience of being a second-generation chestnut grower.

Go Nuts – April, Part 1

Part I

Guest: Amy Miller

Go Nuts – March, Part 2

Part II

Guest: David Coyle

Topic: David Coyle is an Assistant Professor at Clemson University with a focus on forest health and invasive species Extension. Gina and David discuss invasive species and the ways in which invasive species negatively affect native ecology. Gina and David also converse about the difficulties of Graduate School and how good conversation and mentorship makes a world of difference.

Go Nuts – March, Part 1

Part I

Guest: David Coyle

Go Nuts – February, Part 2

Part II

Guest: Mike Judd

Topic: Gina and Mike discuss MIke’s new book, For the Love of PawPaws, which is a wonderfully illustrated look at the history of the fruit as well as Judd’s work in growing this Native American fruit.

From Amazon: “This mini manual by edible landscape author Michael Judd jumps right into growing, caring for, harvesting, and using pawpaws – from seed to table. Judd demystifies fruit growing in direct, easy to follow steps that quickly brings confidence to the newbie grower while expanding the horizons of curious gardeners.”

Go Nuts -February, Part 1

Part I

Guest: Mike Judd

Go Nuts – January, Part 2

Part II

Guest: Dr. Evan Brown

Topic: This month Gina and Dr. Brown talk about what nut growers seem to hate: squirrels. Dr. Brown is a squirrel expert and he discusses species, habitat, behavior and more

Go Nuts – January, Part 1

Part I

Guest: Dr. Evan Brown

Topic: This month Gina and Dr. Brown talk about what nut growers seem to hate: squirrels. Dr. Brown is a squirrel expert and he discusses species, habitat, behavior and more

Go Nuts! 2020 – Season 2

Go Nuts – December

Go Nuts – November, Part 2

Go Nuts – November, Part 1

Go Nuts – October

Go Nuts – September

Go Nuts – August

Go Nuts – July, Part 2

Go Nuts – July, Part I

Go Nuts – June

Go Nuts – May, Part 2

Go Nuts – May, Part 1

Go Nuts – April, Part 2

Go Nuts – April, Part 1

Go Nuts – March, Part 2

Go Nuts – March, Part 1

Go Nuts – February, Part 2

Go Nuts -February, Part 1

Go Nuts – January, Part 2

Go Nuts – January, Part 1

Go Nuts! 2019 – Season 1