May/June 2024 - 7

GROWER PROFILE
like hazelnuts, but Rachel believes that's because they've only
tried natural hazelnuts, instead of a fresh or roasted hazelnut.
" We have some really good varieties coming out of Oregon, "
she said. " It's our state nut. They are super-healthy and I think
people are just getting on the bandwagon with that fact. "
What separates Hazelnut Hill from some other hazelnut
companies is not a lot of other growers do the farm-totable
approach.
" Once they harvest their hazelnuts, it's out of sight, out of
mind for most of them, " Rachel said. " They go to China or a
packing company, but we are a family operation from start
to finish and I think that's what makes us unique. We use our
own hazelnuts and touch everything. There's nothing in here
that we haven't been a part of. "
Rachel's mom and dad both volunteer at Hazelnut Hill, and
six workers handle the orchards.
" Ag is a lot of work; it's a lifestyle, " Rachel said. " We have a
really good crew who have been with us for 20 years. I feel we
are really lucky in that regard. "
Growing and harvesting
On the farming side, Ryan has two sweepers (Flory)
going, one to two pickers and some trackers, mowing the
orchard before harvest. Aside from those, there's not a lot of
technology involved in the growing process.
" We plant by hand, so there's not a lot of high-tech about
that, " he said. " We try to automate the irrigation. Most of our
newer orchards now have drip irrigation, and it's eliminated a
lot of problems. The water use is down dramatically. "
A big challenge is the stink bug is wreaking havoc on the
hazelnuts. Oregon State has been trying to develop new
varieties that are more resistant to the bugs. The Eastern
filbert blight is another pest that causes problems.
" It's all about spraying; it's one of the downsides of growing
filberts, there's not a lot of organic remedies, " Ryan said. " It
eats up a tremendous amount of time. "
Last year, the farm grew more than one million pounds of
hazelnuts. Once hazelnuts are harvested, they are shelled and
pasteurized, and the couple does all the packaging together
so their hazelnuts are ready for stores.
The Hendersons also farm about 400 acres of peaches,
berries, zucchini, lettuce and broccoli.
Rachel Henderson (shown here) shared that this is
a family operation that touches every part of the
process from planting to harvesting and creating
retail product from its crops.
Continued growth
The Hendersons recently acquired another 100 acres that
will be used for more hazelnuts, as well as increasing their
reach in the chocolate business.
" We just built a new kitchen, so we have the ability to
expand even more, " Rachel said.
In February of this year, the couple went on QVC to hawk
its hazelnut chocolate.
" We started reaching a lot more clients and a lot more
wholesalers, " Rachel said. " Our goal is to see a lot more fresh
hazelnuts in the United States. The ones from Europe are
very different. "
Hazelnut Hill's growth strategy is to continue investing in
the business and finding new ways to bring hazelnuts to the
masses in its products.
" We'd love to do a granola, a trail mix, and that's how we
will grow on the retail side, " Rachel said. " I don't think we will
be buying any more acres to grow hazelnuts though, because
it's a lot of work. "
When it's time to introduce new products, the Henderson
family conducts a lot of market research, which starts by
passing out samples to friends and family for feedback. They
also send new recipes to Oregon State's labs for testing to
ensure product is shelf-stable.
" We're always getting feedback on things we can tweak,
and as soon as we get a really good response from the whole
group, then we know we're ready to launch, and take it to the
website and wholesalers, " Rachel said.
While the Hendersons don't have kids of their own, they
do have a lot of nieces and nephews who are interested in
the business and farming, including two who are currently in
college studying agriculture.
The Hendersons don't use too much technology in
the growing process - two sweepers (shown here),
one to two pickers and a few trackers, mowing the
orchard before harvest.
" They are all very hands-on here and help, and eventually,
they will keep this going for us with our hazelnuts, " Rachel said.
Hazelnut Hill stands as a testament to the enduring passion
and dedication of the Hendersons.
NATIONALNUTGROWER.COM 7
http://www.NATIONALNUTGROWER.COM
May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2024
