Michigan State University Chestnut News

06/18/2026

https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/Chestnut+Chat+June+18%2C+2026/1_f5lk7hgj

Discussion focused on Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp and brown rot. 

06/04/2026

June 4 2026 Chestnut Chat recording available now.

Discussions include chestnut diseases, weather and insect pests. Growers discuss irrigation. 

05/26/2026

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program helps beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability.

To learn more, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/us.list-manage.com/rP4_nIfjuos?e=34a6482dff&c2id=207ba13ab7c092711056edf0a64d8968__;!!HXCxUKc!1VbRDy2YWW8kVtSaGoSbKPz9fxzFv_V53T3yWncrYfgh9gGWm5CIHgysV8GMeojZeAzBMzZa8UCaWUtmmQN8RkqXMkUirRZ9vzlipP8$

05/26/2026

Recording of the May 21, 2026 Chestnut Chat is available now at https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/MSU+Extension+Chestnut+Chat+May+21+2026/1_wsa7adc7

To join us live, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/register-for-the-msu-chestnut-chat-summer-series to register. It's free.

05/21/2026

Starting this week--register now!

2026 Chestnut Chats
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Michigan State University Extension will again be hosting a series of 7 interactive online meetings this season to allow easy communication between producers and MSU faculty. These informal sessions will include crop and pest updates from Dr. Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte as well as deep dives by university specialists with topics ranging from disease management to irrigation and nutrient management. In addition, MSU faculty and veteran growers will drop in to address timely issues and provide research project updates. Bring your field notes too! We want to hear what’s going on in your orchard.
These Thursday sessions will begin on May 21st and run every-other-week through September 3rd from 1:30-2:30 PM EST. Registration is free but required. Sign up now at https://pears.io/events/msuext/6265/
Mark your calendar for the following meeting dates: May 14, May 28, June 11, July 9, July 23, August 6, and August 20.
For management information and upcoming events information, sign up to receive MSU Extension’s Fruit & Nuts Production Newsletter. For general information, visit www.chestnuts.msu.edu. For questions, email Erin Lizotte at [email protected].
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2024-70006-43569] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

PEARS is the leading SaaS application that streamlines data collection, evaluation, and reporting for community engagement programs.

04/28/2026

Just a friendly reminder, black stem borer is out and active in areas of Michigan with chestnut production and growers are encouraged to be actively trapping for the borer and actively protecting young trees as long as trap catches continue. Read more about this pest and management at

Young fruit trees under stress can attract black stem borers. Proper identification, orchard sanitation and timing of control measures using ethanol-baited traps will help minimize its spread.

04/23/2026

2026 Chestnut Chats
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Michigan State University Extension will again be hosting a series of 7 interactive online meetings this season to allow easy communication between producers and MSU faculty. These informal sessions will include crop and pest updates from Dr. Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte as well as deep dives by university specialists with topics ranging from disease management to irrigation and nutrient management. In addition, MSU faculty and veteran growers will drop in to address timely issues and provide research project updates. Bring your field notes too! We want to hear what’s going on in your orchard.

These Thursday sessions will begin on May 21st and run every-other-week through September 3rd from 1:30-2:30 PM EST. Registration is free but required. Sign up now at https://pears.io/events/msuext/6265/

Mark your calendar for the following meeting dates: May 14, May 28, June 11, July 9, July 23, August 6, and August 20.

For management information and upcoming events information, sign up to receive MSU Extension’s Fruit & Nuts Production Newsletter. For general information, visit www.chestnuts.msu.edu. For questions, email Erin Lizotte at [email protected].

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2024-70006-43569] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.