Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Chestnuts Rock
Kelly Connett, Corner Post Staff

October 13, 2003- The place to be on October 4th was the Missouri Chestnut Roast. There was a ton of things that took that afternoon. Several producers came and gave tasty samples of their products. On sale was a variety assortment of products, such as chestnuts, cracked black walnuts, honey, elk and buffalo meat.

Not only were there a variety of chestnut products, but there were plenty of family activites to participate in. Children could take part in face and pumpkin painting, an interactive farm community model, agriculture-themed coloring sheets, a straw bale maze, and corn grinding. A Columbia-based bluegrass and swing band were on hand throughout the day to supply musical entertainment.

"This event was considered to be a big success with over 900 people coming from all over mid-Missouri to attend the 1st Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast Event. We are already planning for an even bigger event next year and hope to be able to increase the attendance", said Julie Rhoads, event coordinator for the center of Agroforestry.

When asked why this event was held, Dr. Gene Garrett, Director of the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry responded, "What we're trying to do is develop new family practices for small family farm operations. It's a way of life that needs to be preserved. By creating niche markets for products such as Chinese chestnuts, the center hopes to offer family farms another way to make money."

The event was held at the Horticulture and Agroforestry research center in New Franklin, MO. There was no charge to get in and was open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It was sponsored by the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, and the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center.

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