In 2006, the United States consumed 61.9% of the world's production of walnuts, making the walnut industry a promising one for those with walnut growers education and training. Most of those walnuts (99%) were raised in California and made up the bulk of the trade in the world's walnut supply. Walnuts are grown not just for their edible fruit, but also for their shells (which are used in industrial abrasives or burned to create energy) and their oil. Non-fruiting walnut trees are also prized for their wood.
But while Americans love to buy walnuts, it takes both business and science knowledge to manage successful walnut farms. In addition to a passion for growing, those who wish to sell walnuts wholesale should ideally:
1. Obtain a horticulture degree specializing in growing walnuts,
2. Participate in one or more walnut growers association,
3. And study periodicals for walnut growers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Participate in organizations for walnut companies and growers

Professional organizations do much more than provide business advice and networking for those selling bulk walnuts. A good organization also provides learning opportunities in the way of journals, books, workshops and seminars.

I recommend: Northern Nut Growers Association is dedicated to nut tree growers, farmers, scientists and nut tree breeders. Many states have organizations specific to nut and walnut growing; for example, there's the California Walnut Grower association.

Continue your education through periodicals for walnut fruit growers

There is a myriad of publications for professional businesses selling wholesale walnuts; they include general nut growing publications, as well as periodicals focused entirely on growing walnuts. Find several publications targeting your field of interest in order to keep up with the latest news, trends and innovations.

I recommend: The Walnut News is a newsletter published three times a year, packed full of scientific and marketing information for walnut growers. Many state nut organizations also publish newsletters, including the Kentucky Nut Growers Association; click on the "sample of the Summer KNGA Newsletter" link, found in the left-hand menu to see an issue.

Secure a formal education suited to growing walnuts

A two-year college education in horticulture science is not essential but will greatly increase your chances of success. Also, don't neglect business courses--especially those targeting farmers.

I recommend: Throughout the United States, many colleges offer horticulture degrees; Eastern Kentucky University is one. The Science and Plants for Schools website can help you find colleges offering horticulture degrees elsewhere in the United States.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As with all areas of farming, organic practices are increasingly popular. Therefore, don't neglect organic studies when paving the way for your career growing walnuts.

Walnuts are one of the most well-known and loved nuts in the country and across the world. Walnut Growers dot the US, offering an array of bulk walnuts, wholesale walnuts, black walnuts, and English walnuts. Walnuts are a perfect partner of chocolate, cookie bases, and marshmallow creme as they offer rich flavor, texture and a natural sweetness.

Choose from raw, organic, bulk, or wholesale walnuts in multiple states of processing including shelled, roasted, salted or just raw. To find the best walnut companies and purchase the walnut varieties most popular with your customers, you should:

1. Survey your customers about the types of walnut candies or other food containing walnuts that they prefer to help you determine which ones to offer in your food business.

2. Purchase walnuts from reputable walnut farms that offer quick service and quality guarantees.

3. Ask for walnuts wholesale, shipping discounts and other deals to save money and in turn pass the savings on to your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on the types of walnuts you need for your recipes or treats for gourmet gifts

Before looking for a walnut grower, you should narrow down the varieties of walnuts you need. If you want to leave your options open, find a walnut producer with many offerings and a quick shipping policy to get your custom orders to you quickly. If you have the time and space on your property to plant a grove of walnut trees, consider growing walnuts yourself. Walnut growing gives you the freedom to control the quality and processing of the nuts you produce to sell or use in your food product.

I recommend: Attend one of the many events hosted by the Northern Nut Growers Association, Inc. to meet walnut growers and find out the latest in walnut processing and growing. Contact Bill Heiman, the Black Walnut expert, for the Indiana Nut Growers Association with questions on black walnuts and the best ways to use them in confectionery treats.

Purchase walnuts or walnut trees from a reputable walnut grower

When looking for a walnut supplier, find one with a large variety of walnuts that are fresh picked. You want a grower who has been in the business awhile and can offer solid references. If you are looking for custom walnuts, find organic walnut growers offering high quality walnut and processing applications such as shelling and roasting.

I recommend: High Mesa, Inc. sells walnuts in bulk fresh from the farm to you. They offer a variety of processes, including shelled and raw. The Nursery of TyTy is the leading online seller of walnut trees.

Ask for wholesale walnuts, shipping discounts and other deals to save money

Don't be afraid to ask for discounts or purchase through a wholesale walnut grower. You should be entitled to discounts if the walnuts are not fresh, if it's the end of the season, if you are purchasing a large quantity or if you offer to pick up the walnuts instead of have them delivered.

I recommend: Bulk Foods offers a large variety of walnuts, including Black and English, in bulk quantities that can be ordered online and shipped directly to your shop. Nut Trader has walnuts in easy-to-use forms, like chopped for bakers, in bulk quantities that can be shipped to you quickly.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save even more money, invest in a walnut shelling machine so you can shell your own nuts and not have to pay someone else for this processing step.

A walnut tree may include any member of the Juglans genus. These are deciduous trees that are native to temperate climates in the Northern hemisphere, including most of the United States. The most well-known walnut tree is the common walnut (Juglans regis), which is widely cultivated for its nuts and lumber. While all of these trees produce edible nuts, the common walnut has a large nut with a thin shell. These characteristics make the common walnut ideal for eating raw, but it is also eaten in a variety of other ways.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Black Walnut

The Black Walnut tree is most common in California and is used as an herbal remedy for gastrointestinal ailments. It has astringent properties and may also have antibiotic effects.

I recommend: Herbs2000.com provides a description of the Black Walnut under the heading "Walnut Leaf," as well as its medicinal properties.

Walnut oil

Walnut oil is expensive and, therefore, used sparingly in salad dressings and sauces, especially in French cuisine. It should be refrigerated, and can be restored to a liquid state by allowing it to warm for an hour or so.

I recommend: RecipeTips.com offers a brief description of walnut oil, and also provides an extensive list of its uses in cooking.

Walnut ink

Walnut ink is usually a very dark brown and was used extensively in the Middle Ages. It is colorfast and extremely resistant to solvents.

I recommend: de Nevell Book Arts has an article that provides specific instructions on making walnut ink.

Juglose

Juglose is a toxin produced by the roots of the walnut tree that causes many other plants to slowly die. Walnut chips and sawdust should not be used as a mulch for these susceptible plants.

I recommend: Garden-Services.com provides an overview of walnut toxicity, including the plants that are most affected by it.

Walnut husk fly

The walnut husk fly is a serious pest that attacks walnuts in the western United States during the later part of the growing season. It may also infest peach trees and other fruit trees that have been planted nearby.

I recommend: Washington State University provides an overview of the walnut husk fly, especially in regard to its effect on walnut trees.

Walnut caterpillar

The walnut caterpillar is another common walnut tree pest that also infests other trees, such as hickory, oak and pecan.

I recommend: Texas A&M University Department of Entomology provides an overview of the walnut caterpillar, including its life cycle, habitat and status as a walnut tree pest.

Whether you're looking to sell or buy walnuts, the market can change depending upon that year's crops. From black walnuts to English walnuts, there is a market for this delicious nut. In order to stay competitive with others in the industry, it's imperative that you follow any news or trends regarding walnuts.

The Internet provides numerous locations as to where you can find news on walnut farms and growing walnuts. Utilize several sources to keep tabs on the ever-evolving market. Consider the following when determining the best walnut growers news and trends:

1. Follow along with online forums or government-based sites regarding walnut growing.

2. Subscribe to publications that are geared toward walnut farms.

3. Attend conferences or seminars that bring together those in the walnut growers association.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bookmark online sites that discuss wholesale walnuts

Forums can be an effective way of keeping informed on the walnut industry, especially if both buyers and sellers post information and ideas. Government-based sites can provide recall information, which is vital for any business that works with nuts. By bookmarking the pages, you can remind yourself to check the sites daily for updates.

I recommend: California Walnut Grower has its own discussion area; you must be a registered member to read through ongoing discussions or participate yourself. Look to the United States Department of Agriculture and its section on fruit and tree nuts outlook.

Receive periodicals that are geared toward walnut companies

Subscribe to publications directed at walnut distributors and farmers, which can provide you with firsthand information about news and trends in the industry. Some of these publication websites might also have newsletters that can be sent directly to your e-mail inbox. This can provide you with information that might occur between issues.

I recommend: The California Walnut Board publishes a newsletter called the Walnut News. Peruse through previous issues on its website if you're interested. Check out Fruit & Nut Notes provided by the University of California.

Locate conferences or conventions that discuss sales of bulk walnuts

Search for a conference or convention hosted by leaders in the walnut industry. These meetings are an ideal place to be notified of changes to the processing of walnuts, as well as any national standard updates. At one of these meeting places, you might be able to easily network with others in the walnut business.

I recommend: Consider attending the annual Peanut & Tree Nut Processors Association convention and trade show.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While at a convention or conference, consider joining the association that is sponsoring the event. The larger meetings can be hosted by nationally-based walnut growing associations and can be an ideal organization to join.