Find Fresh, Local Chestnuts From Producers Across Michigan
In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Chestnuts are synonymous with winter thanks to the line in “The Christmas Song” depicting the nut festively roasting on an open fire. But in Michigan, chestnut season occurs in the fall and is on the minds of farmers year round, thanks to the state’s advantageous climate and fertile soil.
Chestnuts are technically categorized as a fruit that grows on trees. The hard seed inside of the burr-like fruit is the nut we know and love. Chestnuts are high in moisture and starch content, making them perishable, so they must be refrigerated. They’re a great source of nutrients, high in vitamin C and trace minerals, and are commonly roasted or used in recipes like soups, desserts and more.
LaFever Chestnuts
Located in Fenton, Mike and Norma LaFever operate LaFever Chestnuts, opening their farm to visitors from late September through early November for a U-pick experience.
“People come from all over to pick chestnuts,” Norma says. “They come from nearby, the big cities and even other countries. At any one time, we could have over 100 cars parked in the field.”
Established in 1997, LaFever Chestnuts is the only large chestnut orchard in Livingston County. They have 65 acres with approximately 18 acres of almost 400 chestnut trees. Mike cultivated the orchard with his late father, Ken, and is also part of Chestnut Growers Inc., a member cooperative of Michigan growers who produce and help sell the nuts wholesale to local grocers.
“We originally tried to grow hazelnuts, but that didn’t work, so we switched to chestnuts after attending Agricultural and Natural Resources Week at Michigan State University,” Mike says. “My father and I planted about 100 trees, and now we have just under 400.”
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LaFever Chestnuts’ production fluctuates between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on factors like weather and critters, including deer and squirrels who have an affinity for the nut.
“We actually started the U-pick operation because I was stressed about having to harvest all the chestnuts off the ground,” Mike says.
Now, people can visit, gather their own chestnuts, learn about the crop and enjoy themselves in an idyllic outdoor setting.
“Visitors get their own buckets and pick the chestnuts that have fallen,” Norma says. “We have roasting pans and fires going so they can roast them if they want, plus a hayride to enjoy our peaceful property.”
Bakkers Acres
In Suttons Bay, 35-year-old family-run Bakkers Acres spans more than 150 acres. They mostly specialize in fruit crops like plums, cherries and apples, but they started growing chestnuts about 30 years ago.
“We actually started growing them because we like to eat them,” says Lynn Bakker, who runs the farm with her husband, Al, and three sons. “Just like a lot of other fruits, Michigan is a great place for chestnuts because of the healthy, nutritious soil and proximity to Lake Michigan that provides a longer growing season.”
Bakkers Acres produces between 50 and 60 pounds of chestnuts each year, grows five different varieties and sells them direct to consumers at farmers markets.
“We attend six markets through the summer, and we help educate people on how to prepare and eat them,” Bakker says.
Both Bakkers Acres and LaFever Chestnuts plan to continue planting and cultivating the crop, providing fresh, local chestnuts to Michigan residents and beyond.
Learn more about Michigan chestnuts and find delicious recipes at chestnutgrowersinc.com.
See more: Top Michigan Agriculture Facts From the 2024 Census of Agriculture
If You Go
LaFever Chestnuts
Location: 8353 Turner Road, Fenton
Website: lafeverchestnuts.yourwebsitespace.com
Email: mwlfever@aol.com
Phone: 810-750-5037
U-pick season: Late September through early November
Bakkers Acres
Location: 2677 N. Setterbo Road, Suttons Bay
Website: facebook.com/bakkersacres
Phone: 231-271-3673
Farmers markets: Suttons Bay near Hansen Foods, Glen Arbor behind Glen Lake Township Hall, Northport at Northport Marina, Leland at the Leland School Performing Arts Center, Traverse City and Frankfort