Spring 2021-Hazelnuts come to the farm and the area

Five thousand hazelnuts is a community farming project in the Chimacum Valley and nearby agricultural areas.

This informal project started a few years ago over a cup of coffee and a friendly fire. Local farmer friends decided to try and grow more hazelnuts in order to bring a diversity of food to our area. We hope to re-establish hazelnut orchards in the Chimacum, Port Townsend, Quilcene area and plant 5,000 trees by 2025.

Hazelnuts were grown everywhere in the Pacific Northwest up until about 50 years ago when the vast orchards were removed to plant ryegrass and pasture lands. Hazelnuts are the perfect survival food for our area, full of minerals and protein; they can be used as human and animal food. There is an increasingly large market for hazelnuts as more people look for gluten-free and low-carb protein sources.  Companies like Bob’s Red Mill are always looking for growers to supply the market. The local markets and farmers markets are looking for the nuts too.

Hazelnuts are pollinator-friendly and do not require the massacre of bumblebees like almonds in order to grow. They thrive here because the hazelnut is a cross between European and native varieties. Many native pollinators are attracted to this plant.

Our farm, Eaglemount farms has been working with others to grow out disease-resistant varieties that will thrive here. The varieties we offer are Dorris, Jefferson, Yamhill, Gamma, Theta, Barcelona, and Ennis too.

We have plants available to sell now. Let me know if you are interested. We will have some plants available at the Chimacum Sunday Farmers Market starting in June 2021. Or you can contact the farm at 360-301-1662.

Varieties Available

In 2021 we will be featuring Barcelona and the companion pollinator Ennis Varieties. Barcalona is known for its very large nut and long growing season.

We still have a few Jefferson, Dorris, and Gamma.

Next year we will have many Jefferson, Yamhill, Dorris, Theta and others. Put your reservation in now and we will call you when they are ready.

Prices

Our plants range from $10 to $25 depending on how big the plants are

Make an appointment now to come and see our hazelnuts

Please call 360-301-1662