The annual black walnut harvest has begun and, according to Hammons Products Company, walnuts are worth more than ever: The company will pay $20 per hundred pounds after hulling for walnut, repeating the peak high price of 2021, the company’s highest buying price in over 75 years of business.
According to Hammon’s last year’s harvest produced more abundantly than previous years, but hulling stations are still in need of a strong harvest for next year, and early projects of this fall’s harvest are positive.
“This year’s crop of wild Black Walnuts looks to be good throughout much of the Midwest region where the trees grow naturally,” said company President Brian Hammons. “We hope people will pick them up, bringing in an abundant harvest of at least 20 million pounds of nuts, and perhaps as many as 25 million pounds. This would be a welcomed blessing for 2023, keeping our employees working and our customers happy.”
In the region including and surrounding Howell County, hulling sites include locations in Alton, Birch Tree, Caulfield, Dora, Eminence, Gainesville, Hartville, Hartshorn, Houston, Koshkonong/Thayer, Mtn. Grove and Willow Springs, as well as Elizabeth, Gassville and Sturkie in Arkansas.
Harvesters are encouraged to pick up the wild nuts while still green, not black and mushy or dried, and get them to a hulling station one or two days after picking them up. This helps ensure the nuts weigh the most with better quality. To find a hulling station, visit www.black-walnuts.com.
Every year thousands of people participate in the harvest tradition with their friends and family, picking up the black walnuts off their own land, or possibly the land of their neighbors, with permission.
“Some folks picked up black walnuts when they were young and continue to pass along the lessons of nature, good work ethic and resourcefulness to their grandchildren,” said Hammons. “
- Alton, Steve Mills, U.S. 160, 417-778-6311.
- Birch Tree, Mike Kester, 417-252-3852.
- Caulfield, Mike Kester, 599 U.S. 160, 417-252-3843.
- Dora, Larry Russell, 417-331-0695.
- Eminence, Eminence R-1 School District, 17829 S. Sixth St., 417-247-8508.
- Gainesville, Dan Janes, 180 Janes Hill, 417-712-1603.
- Hartville, Mike Kester, South Highway 5, 417-252-3843.
- Hartshorn, Hartshorn Community Center, 417-249-0083.
- Houston, Kevin McGowen, U.S. 63 north and Oak Hill Drive behind H&K Flea Market, 417-254-4067.
- Mtn. Grove, Mike Kester, 8665 Outer Road, 417-252-3843.
- Thayer, Dennis Morgan, U.S. 63 in Koshkonong, 417-938-4308.
- Willow Springs, Mike Kester, U.S. 63 and UU Highway south of Pipes Plus, 417-252-3843.
- Elizabeth, Ark., Joel Huett, 813 Fawn Wood Road, 870-458-2193.
- Gassville, Ark., Ruth Page, 422 County Road 709, 870-430-5500.
- Sturkie, Ark., Aden Troyer, 2163 Sunrise Road, 870-895-4008.
