Alice Bourne - Bringing hazelnut production to an arable farm

As a vegetable agronomist also supporting an arable farm in Bedfordshire, I am exploring the potential for diversification through hazelnut production, with future opportunities in agrotourism and regenerative farming. I hope to undertake a snapshot study this autumn, visiting a leading nut grower and processor in Belgium. The visit will provide valuable insight into commercial hazelnut cultivation, post-harvest handling, and agronomic best practice. Learning directly from experienced growers and agronomists will help assess the feasibility of hazelnuts on our farm and support our wider goals of sustainable diversification and regenerative land use.