The American Chestnut Foundation's Meadowview Research Farms

11/06/2026

Big things are happening at Meadowview Research Farms! We are excited to share that construction on our new barn is officially underway! We are incredibly grateful to all of the generous donors who helped make this project possible. Your support is helping us bring this vision to life, and we can't wait to see the finished building and all that it will make possible in the future. Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter at Meadowview!

10/30/2026

As fall settles in, our chestnut orchards transform from lush green to rich shades of yellow and brown. As our trees begin to enter dormancy, we reflect on the work accomplished throughout the growing season, the lessons we’ve learned, and all that lies ahead as we prepare for winter.
For now, we say goodbye to the vibrant colors of our orchards, but we’ll welcome them back again in the spring!

10/23/2026

Each year, the Holston River Soil & Water Conservation District hosts Farm & Field Days for Washington County sixth graders. Meadowview Research Farms is proud to be part of this event, where our staff teaches students about the American chestnut, the work being done to restore it, and the important role future generations can play in its comeback.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with these students and inspire hope for the future of the American chestnut!

10/16/2026

Every seed counts! This year, 12 dedicated volunteers joined Meadowview Research Farm staff to shuck nearly 17,000 burs, resulting in about 35,000 chestnuts. The seeds collected play a vital role in our ongoing research, progeny testing, forest restoration trials, future seed orchards, and so much more. Each seed represents an opportunity to support the future of our forests.
We are incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers for sharing their time, energy, and hard work with us. Your contributions make a lasting impact, and we couldn’t do it without you!

10/09/2026

Shucking, round 2! Dr. Ong, a Plant Biology professor at King University, brings his students to Meadowview Research Farm each year to learn about the American chestnut and lend a hand with bur shucking. With their help, we’ve nearly finished shucking all of the burs collected during the 2026 harvest season!
We’re incredibly grateful to Dr. Ong and his students for their hard work and continued support. Thank you for helping us move the American chestnut restoration effort forward!

10/02/2026

We are incredibly thankful to our amazing volunteers for helping us shuck chestnut burs! Each year, roughly 20,000 burs are harvested from our seed orchards. Without the help of our dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to process all of the valuable seeds tucked inside these spiky burs.
These seeds support research, nursery partners, forest restoration, and the trees of the future. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has volunteered with us this season! Your hard work makes a difference, and we truly appreciate you!

10/02/2026

09/25/2026

Back in August, Meadowview Research Farm staff members Lucinda Wigfield and Brian Henrich attended the NE-2333 meeting: Biological Improvement of Chestnut through Technologies that Address Management of the Species and its Pathogens and Pests. The meeting provided an opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, learn from a variety of presentations, and share in the latest developments in chestnut research and restoration.
As part of the meeting, Lucinda and Brian also joined a field trip to Johns Creek, getting an up-close look at chestnut research and restoration efforts in the field.
We’re glad that Meadowview staff were able to learn with other scientists and to be part of the ongoing work to restore this important native tree!

09/18/2026

Chestnut harvest is underway at Meadowview Research Farms! Last week, our staff began harvesting chestnut trees, collecting the seeds nestled inside their famously spiky burs. These chestnuts will support a variety of important projects, including The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) research, forest restoration trials, mine land reclamation, and more. Each seed represents another opportunity to advance chestnut research and help bring this important tree back to the landscape.