For the last 2 years, Rich, Ben Mitchell and the group at Willamette Filbert Growers, have presented a New Grower’s Planting Forum. We have held our meeting at the Willamette Hazelnut Growers processing facility in Newberg, Oregon, in November.

This spring, we decided to expand to discuss some other topics. We met for a Spring Grower’s Forum at WHG in April.  Rich (with Ben’s input) lead the discussions about Eastern Filbert Blight in Jefferson (and Gasaway hybrids), new variety releases and what needs to be done in the orchards this season. We had over 120 people in attendance, many who were new growers.

Willamette Hazelnut Growers hosted a delicious lunch of pizza, sub-sandwiches, fruit, salad and cookies.  Following lunch, the group moved to Ben’s Jefferson orchards to look at blight in the Jefferson trees.  Ben has Jefferson trees that are from 1 to 7 years old.

Willamette Filbert Growers (sorry can’t get used to Hazelnut) will be hosting another New Growers Forum on September 8, 2012.  If you are interested in attending,  go to quick-links and click on Willamette Hazelnut Growers.  Michael would be happy to put you on our announcement list.

Willamette Hazelnut Spring Growers Forum