Jenewein Farms
from Nebraska to Michigan

From our beginnings of orchard and vineyard growing in Nebraska, we planned to grow wine grapes on our Michigan property too. Since moving here from Nebraska in 1999 it was an easy choice but not necessarily the best. Although the climate here in Michigan has milder winters than Nebraska, and is also way more forgiving it does possesses its own climate peculiarities as well.

For example, our farm is susceptible to late spring and early fall frosts; hard on budding or producing plants. This in combination with our clay soil cemented our disastrous grape vine endeavors. The poor vines also became fodder for grazing deer as well. Out came the grape vines, replaced by a more tolerant agricultural product...nuts.

Numerous black walnut trees were growing in and around our property, including a shellbark hickory just off the SE corner of our property afforded some ideas of what can be grown on our land. Since Carpathian walnuts were grafted onto black walnut stock our heavy soil possesses little threat to this tree. Another favorable trait was their budding late and growing to heights well above ground levels; significantly withstanding our unique frost occurrences. With these Carpathian walnuts we also planted heartnuts and filberts as well.

A walnut grove is not something that comes into crop the same year; like corn or wheat or soybeans. However, we are committed to seeing our trees bear fruit.

Along with the highly demanded heartnuts and English walnut, we may mix in some early ripening pecans and other nuts as well. It's a journey that requires a pioneering spirit and we welcome the challenge.

Vernon and Pam Jenewein
2010