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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2018)
April 13, 2018 CapitalPress.com 3 NARROW & LOW... between the rows... Courtesy of Lance Kirk Independence, Ore., ha- zelnut grower Lance Kirk is president of the Oregon Hazelnut Society. Industry leader sees bright future for hazelnut growers By JAN JACKSON For the Capital Press Lance Kirk is predicting a banner year for Oregon’s ha- zelnut industry. Elected president of the Oregon Hazelnut Society last winter, Kirk is a long-time Independence, Ore., hazelnut grower. “It’s an exciting time for this industry,” Kirk said. “We have so many new growers planting orchards and the at- tendance at the winter meet- ing told us they are looking for as much information as they can get to help them.” OHS, which doesn’t buy or sell nuts, is the education arm of the industry, he said. “At the speed with which Oregon State University is working on improving both varieties and methods of growing ha- zelnuts, everyone wants to know what’s going on.” Kirk, a third-generation hazelnut grower, grew up on his parents’ farm in Indepen- dence. He attended Cascade High School and holds a de- gree in general agriculture from Oregon State University. “Grandpa got us started in the hazelnut business in the early 1980s,” he said. “We started raising hops and ha- zelnuts, though we no longer raise hops.” He left the farm and worked 17 years for ag sup- plier Wilbur-Ellis. “But when I had an oppor- tunity to return to the farm and raise a family, I took it,” Kirk said. “I have 14-year-old twin boys who right now are more interested in basketball than what they see as farmwork, but I have hope that they may be interested in carrying on some day.” Kirk, who sells to George Packing Co. in Newburg, built a processing plant and is a re- ceiving station for growers from Salem south to Eugene. He is optimistic about the future. “Our industry seems big to us, but if we want to get our product into Hershey and other products, our volume is going to have to increase dra- matically,” Kirk said. “I think we are going to see it climb as soon as this year. I’m encour- aged when I see new orchards everywhere, off back roads and I-5. The new acres plant- ed over eight years ago are al- ready maturing so we should see an increase in production very soon.” When asked about the prospects of the new hardy varieties Rutgers University is hoping will bring hazelnuts back to the East Coast, Kirk believes that will help Oregon growers as well. He pointed out that many people there don’t even know what hazelnuts are. When eastern farmers start growing them again, people will start using the nuts in many more different recipes and products, increasing demand. In addition to Kirk and Sons Hazelnuts, he is a con- sultant, works with the bar- gaining association and hosts Summer Ag Institute teacher farm visits. “I’m optimistic about the industry and all the new growers, though I wasn’t prepared for the re- cord-breaking attendance at the OHS winter meeting,” he said. “I did realize my lucky streak ran out when I realized after successful- ly avoiding public speaking all through high school and college I was going to have to speak to 900 growers in January. “The good news is, all of those enthusiastic growers bodes well for the hazelnut industry in Oregon.” Online For more information on the Oregon Hazelnut Society, visit www.oregonnuts.org . under the limbs. M Series models are specifically engineered for those who work in vineyards, orchards or anywhere else that might require a narrow and compact tractor. 33599 Hwy 99E Tangent, OR 97389 541-926-1811 MON-FRI 8:00-5:30PM SATURDAY 8:00-1:00PM www.linnbentontractor.com ONV18-4/100
