In summer 2021, a Clay County producer approached Clay County Cooperative Extension Service (Clay CES) to seek assistance in opening a hulling station for Hammons Black Walnuts. Hammons Black Walnuts is the world’s largest purchaser of black walnuts; they secure most of their annual crop by purchasing wild-harvested black walnuts from across the eastern United States. Under this model, Hammons partners with independent contractors who aggregate the nuts from local harvesters.

Clay CES staff helped the producers contact Hammons Black Walnuts and assess the opportunity. Following these conversations, these Clay County producers determined that a Hammons hulling station could provide economic opportunity for both themselves and their community. They decided to undertake the venture, and began operating their hulling station in October 2021.

The representatives from Hammons Black Walnuts indicated that it usually takes several years for a hulling station operator to reach a business volume in which they aggregate a tractor trailer load (45,000 pounds) of nuts. However, in 2021 – their initial year of operation – the Clay County hulling station processed over 78,000 pounds of wild-harvested black walnuts. This resulted in direct payments of approximately $20,000 into the local economy over a 6 week period. The producers plan to operate the hulling station again in future seasons, so this economic impact should continue to compound over future years.

This venture also generated substantial public interest. The local newspaper (which reaches approximately 12,000 people each week) ran a feature article about the hulling station. The story was also picked up by the region’s largest television station, and during the interview the producers discussed the role the Clay CES played in the new enterprise.