Long before the blight, the American chestnut tree shaped life in Appalachia. These towering giants stretched across the mountains, offering food, shelter, and strength to everything around them. Families roasted chestnuts by the fire, wildlife foraged beneath their branches, and the wood built homes, barns, and fences that lasted for generations.
When the blight hit in the early 1900s, it was devastating. Entire forests changed almost overnight, and one of the most beloved trees in the eastern United States was nearly lost.
At Caney Fork Farms, we’re proud to be part of bringing it back.
When the farm was just beginning back in 2016, we started planting our first hybrid chestnut trees - a blend of American chestnut and Chinese chestnut genetics. The Chinese variety is more blight resistant, which gives these trees a real chance to thrive here in Middle Tennessee.
Over the years, our team has planted over 1,500 chestnut trees across the farm as part of our agroforestry program. These trees are more than a beautiful addition to the landscape. They’re part of a movement to restore a species that once defined Appalachian forests and fed both people and animals alike.
The chestnut was once known as “the bread tree of the mountains.” Its nuts were a staple food and an important source of income for rural families, who sold them in town markets each fall. Livestock, especially pigs, feasted on the fallen nuts, helping farmers fatten animals naturally before winter.
Beyond its cultural importance, the chestnut also played a key ecological role. Its leaves enriched the soil, its nuts sustained wildlife, and its presence supported the health and diversity of entire forest ecosystems.
While our orchards are still a bit too young for sustainable harvests, every fall we’re able to harvest chestnuts from a local organic chestnut farmer. The work we put into tending to these orchards and harvesting is a reminder that this is more than just a seasonal crop. It’s a living connection to the land, the people, and the history that shaped our region. Each nut carries forward a legacy of resilience and restoration.
This year, we’re sharing the chestnut harvest with our Veggie CSA community. Members will get to enjoy these special nuts along with their weekly seasonal produce, connecting directly to the story of regeneration and restoration happening here at the farm.
If you’ve been thinking about joining our Veggie CSA, now is the perfect time. You’ll receive a curated box of fresh, organic produce grown right here in Middle Tennessee, plus the occasional farm favorite like our own Caney Fork Farms chestnuts.
Our organic chestnuts are available for a limited time each year, and every purchase helps us continue this important work. Whether you’re roasting them at home or sending a gift to family and friends, you’re helping to restore the American chestnut to its rightful place in our forests and on our tables.
Bring a little Appalachian tradition to your holiday season, and help us grow a future rooted in history.