Finding Your Why: The Deeper Reasons We Grow Chestnuts

What drives you to grow chestnuts—not just in year one, but year ten? In this episode, Melanie revisits a question that keeps surfacing in our orchard, at conferences, and in every email from new growers:

“What’s your why?” Drawing from personal experience and stories from growers like Brad and Sandy Russell, we explore what happens when you follow your reasons all the way down. Plus, Melanie shares a simple, powerful reflection tool you can download to clarify your own path. In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your “why” matters more than your business plan
• How surface reasons often evolve into deeper ones
• Real motivations that keep chestnut growers going
• What to ask yourself when things get hard
• How to use the 7-question “Find Your Why” exercise

More Resources to Explore

• Listen to: Finding Our Why: Why Chestnuts, and Why Now
• Download the Seven Whys Reflection Tool
• Read: The Advantages of Tree Crops
• Watch: Brad + Sandy Rusell on The Branching Out: Growing Together podcast or Brad Russell on The Branching Out: Growing Together podcast

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Explore More from United Chestnuts

• Main Website: unitedchestnuts.com
• The Branching Out Podcast: Listen to More Episodes
• The United Chestnuts Blog: Industry Insights & Growth Strategies
• Shop Ebb Farms: Direct from Our Orchard to You