We are a second generation family business. Our chestnut business was derived from my fathers tree farming hobby on our 180 acre farm in east central Ohio. Between 1958 and 1970, many kinds of forest trees, fruit trees, and nut trees (including Chinese chestnuts), were planted. By 1970, it was obvious that the Chinese chestnuts were the best adapted and most promising crop producers of all the trees that were planted. So, in 1972 we planted over 600 seedlings from our best chestnut mother trees. As a result of this and subsequent larger plantings, we have one of the few chestnut orchards in the USA which can be considered to be of commercial size. Based on the success of these plantings, chestnuts have become my full-time occupation since 1984. My wife, Diane, has directly and indirectly supported the business and has provided a vital link with the academic and agricultural communities through her position at The Ohio State University. Our business goal has been to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of chestnut production. Consequently, we have been involved in every aspect of chestnut production and marketing, along the problems. Constant problem solving has made our business very research oriented. Finding solutions to production and quality problems has become our niche - its essential for the chestnut industry and its what we do best.

Address: 3276 Empire Road SW, Carrollton, OH 44615-9515
Website: http://www.empirechestnut.com/