November/December 2024 - 13

WALNUTS
For postharvest, Unruh tries to get the cover crops in
as soon as possible after harvest. He also uses a float he
custom built to smooth out the biomass on the ground and
then puts the trees to bed for the winter.
A new venture
Daniel and Rachelle are starting a new venture utilizing
their walnuts - Harvest Valley.
The second generation Unruh Walnut Farms
transitioned to regenerative farming practices
in 2011.
Unique tech philosophy
While many walnut farmers utilize field moisture probes
to track things, Unruh chooses not to use them and in fact,
he doesn't use a lot of technology.
" I am a bare-bones farmer, " he said. " I try to be in tune enough
with my land that if something needs help, I have learned to
trust my gut instinct. When I do, things tend to do better. "
Unruh uses a cover crop planter that he noted is " way
more sophisticated " than he needed, but finds it works
for his needs.
In 2018, Unruh innovated by building a Chevron-style cover
crop crimper roller that he uses to terminate his cover crop
in the spring. With three rollers, two folding, the machinery is
between 6,000-6,500 pounds and 21 feet wide.
" We are trying to go direct-to-consumer with some
of our products, " Unruh said. " When you accept all the
middlemen's hats, you have to accept their overhead, so
we're trying to get something off the ground soon. "
In recent years, the couple has sold walnuts in farmers
markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a big customer source.
" We're working to get 1-pound packages made to where
we can fill and seal bags, " Unruh said. " We sell some into
the commercial market and some direct-to-consumer.
The company we sell the most walnuts to is Diamond
Foods, a commercial buyer. But the whole walnut
industry right now is upside down, so we're not getting
paid enough money. "
That's a main catalyst for Harvest Valley, and why the
couple is working to expand its reach at the farmers markets.
Soon, Unruh hopes to sign a contract with the fairgrounds
to press walnut oil there so people can source a healthy
alternative to olive oil, he said. With a similar heat threshold,
walnut oil can be used for the same things as olive oil.
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NATIONALNUTGROWER.COM 13

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November/December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2024

Editor's Letter
2024 Labor Survey
Finding success
Processing redefined
A trusted partner
Fruit & Nut Buyers' Guide
Climate
Regulations
Ad index
November/December 2024 - 1
November/December 2024 - 2
November/December 2024 - 3
November/December 2024 - Editor's Letter
November/December 2024 - 5
November/December 2024 - 2024 Labor Survey
November/December 2024 - 7
November/December 2024 - 8
November/December 2024 - 9
November/December 2024 - Finding success
November/December 2024 - 11
November/December 2024 - 12
November/December 2024 - 13
November/December 2024 - Processing redefined
November/December 2024 - 15
November/December 2024 - 16
November/December 2024 - 17
November/December 2024 - A trusted partner
November/December 2024 - 19
November/December 2024 - 20
November/December 2024 - 21
November/December 2024 - 22
November/December 2024 - Fruit & Nut Buyers' Guide
November/December 2024 - 24
November/December 2024 - 25
November/December 2024 - 26
November/December 2024 - 27
November/December 2024 - 28
November/December 2024 - 29
November/December 2024 - 30
November/December 2024 - 31
November/December 2024 - 32
November/December 2024 - 33
November/December 2024 - 34
November/December 2024 - 35
November/December 2024 - 36
November/December 2024 - 37
November/December 2024 - 38
November/December 2024 - 39
November/December 2024 - 40
November/December 2024 - 41
November/December 2024 - 42
November/December 2024 - Climate
November/December 2024 - Regulations
November/December 2024 - 45
November/December 2024 - 46
November/December 2024 - 47
November/December 2024 - 48
November/December 2024 - 49
November/December 2024 - Ad index
November/December 2024 - 51
November/December 2024 - 52
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