Dear Customers,
We are only selling Medium and Small size culinary chestnuts at this time. We were in an extreme drought during the summer of 2024, which has resulted in more small nuts than usual. The good news is that the small nuts have really good flavor from all the heat and sunshine. Please taste and enjoy the Small size chestnuts.
Small chestnuts will ship sooner than Medium chestnuts.
Thank you for understanding!

We are taking orders for chestnut seeds and chestnut trees. Chinkapin seeds will be shipped in late September to early October. Chestnut seeds will be shipped in November. Chestnut seedlings can be shipped from September through May in whatever month you select. DO NOT ORDER CHESTNUT SEEDS FOR EATING: THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE AND WILL NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL NOVEMBER

Peeled kernels, chestnut flour, and pancake mix will be available later in the year.

 Check here, our Facebook page, or our phone message for updates.

About Us

Route 9 Cooperative was formed in 2010 by the owners of five chestnut orchards in eastern Ohio, located on land once occupied by native American chestnut trees. Our member chestnut orchards cover over 100 acres and have been supplying their customers with fresh culinary chestnuts for many years.

The need for a larger packing facility and unified marketing led to the creation of the co-op. Prior to the co-op, Greg Miller had produced and sold chestnuts and chestnut trees under his farm, Empire Chestnut Company.

The co-op now markets the chestnuts and trees grown by Empire Chestnut Company. Greg Miller serves as president of Route 9 Cooperative and remains an active chestnut farmer. See our more detailed story under history.

Our Culinary Chestnuts

Over the years, we have grown several species of chestnuts and their interspecific hybrids. We found that the Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is the best in terms of its sweet flavor, ease of peeling, and adaptation to our growing conditions. We continually plant new trees and remove inferior trees. In the process, we evaluate new germplasm and constantly improve the genetic quality of the chestnuts and nursery stock that we sell.

We sell three sizes of chestnuts:

  • Small (60-75 per lb; good for snacking)
  • Medium (48-53 per lb; good for roasting)
  • Large (34-39 per lb; good for cooking)

All sizes have the same quality and flavor. They are carefully cleaned and graded to ensure more than 95% sound chestnuts at shipping time.

Fresh chestnuts are available only during October and November.

When you receive your chestnuts be sure to refrigerate them right away. Otherwise, they can become moldy. Be sure to read our pages on storage and preparation of chestnuts.

What’s New

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LAST CHANCE FOR U-PICK: We will be open this weekend, Oct 12-13, from 9am-5pm each day, for U-Pick chestnuts. This is probably the last weekend to pick, so please come now! Also, we will offer some really good deals on pre-picked Small chestnuts. Remember, Small chestnuts are extra sweet and delicious. 😊🌰 Hope to see you this weekend!
Ferguson Premium Meats LLC will be selling local meats in our parking lot on Sunday from 9am-12pm.
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5 days ago
LAST CHANCE FOR U-PICK: We will be open this weekend, Oct 12-13, from 9am-5pm each day, for U-Pick chestnuts. This is probably the last weekend to pick, so please come now! Also, we will offer some really good deals on pre-picked Small chestnuts. Remember, Small chestnuts are extra sweet and delicious. 😊🌰 Hope to see you this weekend!
Ferguson Premium Meats LLC will be selling local meats in our parking lot on Sunday from 9am-12pm.Image attachmentImage attachment

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Can I order online?

What does it cost to pick chestnuts? Thank you!

We are open for U-Pick chestnuts this weekend, Oct 5-6, from 9am-5pm each day.
We have other goodies for sale, such as fresh apple cider and local honey.
Ferguson Premium Meats LLC will be selling delicious local meats in our parking lot on Sunday Oct 6 from 9am-2pm.
See you this weekend!
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2 weeks ago
We are open for U-Pick chestnuts this weekend, Oct 5-6, from 9am-5pm each day. 
We have other goodies for sale, such as fresh apple cider and local honey. 
Ferguson Premium Meats LLC will be selling delicious local meats in our parking lot on Sunday Oct 6 from 9am-2pm. 
See you this weekend!Image attachmentImage attachment

Attention U-Pickers: Thanks for coming to our opening weekend. However, we had some problems. Some people were abusing our nut wizard tools, not bringing them back, and leaving trash in our orchards. Please respect our tools and our property! Also, our prices are as stated. Do not ask our weekend staff for discounts because it is not their choice. We want you to enjoy our orchard and chestnuts, but please respect our tools, our space, and our people. Please share this information with your friends.
We will be open again this coming weekend: Sept 28-29, from 9am-5pm each day.
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3 weeks ago
Attention U-Pickers: Thanks for coming to our opening weekend. However, we had some problems. Some people were abusing our nut wizard tools, not bringing them back, and leaving trash in our orchards. Please respect our tools and our property! Also, our prices are as stated. Do not ask our weekend staff for discounts because it is not their choice. We want you to enjoy our orchard and chestnuts, but please respect our tools, our space, and our people. Please share this information with your friends. 
We will be open again this coming weekend: Sept 28-29, from 9am-5pm each day.

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

Here's the link to buy nut wizards. If you pick chestnuts every year you might as well buy your own: nutwizard.com/products/medium-nut-wizard

Do you guys open the weekend of October 5th-6th?

I'm planning to come pick some this weekend, been a long time since we've had chestnuts

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It's time for chestnut harvest! 🌰🌰
We open for U-Pick this weekend, Sept 21-22, from 9am-5pm each day.
Address: 4300 Germano Rd SE, Carrollton, OH 44615
Check in on the back porch of the red building. See you there!
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4 weeks ago
Its time for chestnut harvest! 🌰🌰
We open for U-Pick this weekend, Sept 21-22, from 9am-5pm each day. 
Address: 4300 Germano Rd SE, Carrollton, OH 44615
Check in on the back porch of the red building. See you there!Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

How’s the price?

Do you still have U-Pick available this weekend 10/5-10/6?

Do you ship?

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The first early chestnuts just started to fall today! They are just barely ripe. It'll be a couple more weeks until full harvest. We will open the online store for Fresh Culinary Chestnuts on Oct 1.

The online store is open for pre-orders for chestnut seeds and trees.

www.route9cooperative.com
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1 month ago
The first early chestnuts just started to fall today! They are just barely ripe. Itll be a couple more weeks until full harvest. We will open the online store for Fresh Culinary Chestnuts on Oct 1.

The online store is open for pre-orders for chestnut seeds and trees.

www.route9cooperative.com

11 CommentsComment on Facebook

I tried to preorder some seeds and it emptied my cart automatically.

Tried placing an order but all sizes of chestnuts are showing out of stock, is that right?

Will you have any available for stratification

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