Buying Begins Thursday, OCT. 1
Stockton, Missouri – As the weather turns cooler (finally), Black Walnuts will be falling soon all over the area. And once again the harvesting tradition continues,
with Hammons Products Company providing a market to buy the wild nuts that people bring in.
Hulling stations will open across the Midwest on Thursday, October 1, paying an opening price of $14 per 100 pounds after hulling to individuals or groups who bring their Black Walnuts to one of over 160 hulling sites in 12 different states. The price may change later in the season, so people are encouraged to get their nuts in soon after they hit the ground. To find a hulling station near you, visit www.black-walnuts.com.
Early projections for the 2026 harvest are encouraging, particularly across the Ozarks region, which is the heartbeat of the American Black Walnut industry. More Black Walnuts are sourced and harvested here than anywhere else in the world, making this one of the most unique and authentically local agricultural traditions the Ozarks has to offer. This fall, that tradition continues. “The crop looks to be a little spotty in some areas but overall, pretty good across much of Missouri and the broader Midwest,”; says Jacob Basecke, 4th generation President of Hammons Products Company in Stockton, Missouri. “The last two years brought shorter crops, so we are optimistic that a good season this year will give people more time to get out and pick up the nuts after they fall.” Buying will continue in most areas through October and until November 16. Basecke added, “We always encourage people to pick up freshly fallen green or green/black nuts as soon as possible when their quality is best, and get them to their local buying station quickly.”
Every year thousands of people participate in the harvest with their friends and family, picking up the Black Walnuts off their own land, or possibly the land of their neighbors (with permission). They sell the nuts to a nearby hulling station to earn some extra money, to get them out of the yard, or just because they enjoy getting outside. “Some folks picked up Black Walnuts when they were young and continue to pass along the lessons of nature and work with their grandchildren – it’s truly an Ozarks tradition!” says Brian Hammons, CEO of Hammons Products.
The appeal of wild Black Walnuts continues to grow, particularly among younger, health-conscious consumers who are drawn to ingredients that are naturally sourced, sustainably harvested, and rooted in a sense of place. Chefs, food writers, and home bakers alike are discovering what Ozarks families have known for generations — that the bold, distinctive flavor of the American Black Walnut is unlike anything else in the kitchen. Add to that an impressive nutritional profile, including more protein than any other tree nut, and it is easy to see why this wild harvested ingredient is earning a well-deserved spot in the modern American pantry.
New to the Black Walnut Harvest? Here is How to Get Started:
1. GATHER
Head outside and collect wild Black Walnuts that have naturally fallen from the trees. Pick them up while the hulls are still mostly green for the best quality — the fresher the better.
2. BRING
Load up your haul and take it to a participating Hammons hulling station near you.
Finding one is easy — visit www.black-walnuts.com and search by zip code to locate the closest drop-off point.
3. HULL
At the station, your nuts are run through a hulling machine that removes the outer hull and reveals the hard shell underneath. No equipment needed on your end — just show up and the station handles the rest.
4. GET PAID
You will be paid on the spot based on the weight of your hulled, in-shell Black Walnuts. This year’s opening price is $14 per 100 pounds — cash in hand before you leave.
Grab your buckets, round up the family, and get outside. The 2026 Black Walnut Harvest is here and there has never been a better time to be part of one of the most beloved fall traditions in the Midwest!
For examples and up-to-date information on all things Black Walnuts, follow Hammons Black Walnuts on all social media channels:
www.facebook.com/HammonsBlackWalnuts/
www.instagram.com/black_walnuts/
www.pinterest.com/Black_Walnuts/
Hammons Black Walnuts – YouTube
For recipes, visit: https://black-walnuts.com/explore-recipes/
