Green Valley Chestnut Ranch

The Green Valley Chestnut Ranch is a small, family-operated organic farm located in the environs of Sebastopol, California. We grow the ‘Colossal’ variety chestnut which is an exceptionally large chestnut with a sweet flavor. Depending on weather and environmental conditions, our chestnuts are generally harvested in late September or early October.

Chestnut Sales
Our chestnuts are generally wholesaled to organic food and grocery outlets in Sonoma County. For public health reasons, we no longer offer u-pick. Depending on seasonal supply, we ship small orders direct to the public. However, in 2022 we will not be offering chestnuts by direct-to-public sale due to poor harvest quantities.

Drought and Wildfires
In the past three years, farms in Sonoma County have been devastated by chronic drought and recurring wildfires. The Green Valley Chestnut Ranch was likewise affected. Our sustainable farming relies on composting, tillage, non-irrigation, and other dry farming systems. Thus, crop production is susceptible to drought conditions. Due to below-average rainfall in 2020-2021-2022, our chestnuts have been fewer and smaller. The 2022 harvest is 80% below normal. We want to acknowledge and thank the Community Alliance with Family Farmers for providing a small lifeline grant which will enable us to prepare the orchard for next year. Weather permitting, here’s hoping for a good 2023 chestnuts harvest!

Certified Organic for another year. Hoping to provide mail order chestnuts in 2021.

Woodpecker handiwork on one of our 118-year-old Gravenstein apple trees

Burning last year's chestnut prunings. Chestnut orchard in background, still asleep for the winter.

Burn day. Chestnut and apple prunings.

Our 2019 chestnuts are ready to harvest. This year, rather than u-pick and mail order, we have accepted a generous offer from a wholesaler to purchase the entire crop.

A carpet of apples all going to organic juice. Lots more to pick and eat. A blockbuster year for apples. Next month we will see what kind of harvest from the chestnuts.

New beehives in the chestnut orchard. Chestnuts do not need bees for pollination. However, the bees turn the chestnut nectar into an earthy-sweet honey..

Apples in full bloom. Chestnuts (background) are just waking up.