Although the 2007 spring freeze decimated the acorn crop, many area black walnut trees have nuts on them. However, black walnut harvesters may be competing with hungry squirrels, who won’t have many acorns (their normal dietary staple).
The walnut harvest provides income for many Texas County residents. Plus, this year’s black walnut crop will again pay a high starting price at Hammons Hulling Stations: $13 per hundred pounds (after hulling). This price could potentially change during the season. Buying begins Oct. 1.
Black walnuts grow wild throughout the Ozarks and the greater Midwest region. Gathered in the fall and sold to local buying stations, the nuts are hulled and bagged for Hammons Products Co. in Stockton.
The Hammons network of local purchasing stations is prepared to serve veteran and first time harvesters with more than 250 hulling stations spread across 15 states. A complete list of hullers can be accessed at www.black-walnuts.com or by calling 888-4BW-NUTS, toll free. The newly designed Web site also provides company information, crop updates and recipes for black walnuts.
Individuals, families and fund-raising groups earn money by picking up black walnuts and taking them to a local hulling location. Every year, thousands of people participate in the harvest, using the income for everything from Christmas gifts to education.