This was the scene off Bryant Way outside of Albany on Friday afternoon.
The hazelnut harvest has been in full swing in the Albany area. At least it seemed that way Friday in one of the big orchards on Bryant Way.
A bike ride took me past the orchard as harvesting machines were rumbling up and down between the rows of trees. A flatbed trailer was loaded with crates full of the nuts.
Some call the nuts “filberts.” But the industry appears to favor “hazelnut.”
What it said on the crates was: “Northwest Hazelnut Co.” Some said “George Packing Co.”
Both company names share the same address in Hubbard. On the Internet they say: “Northwest Hazelnut Company and George Packing Company proudly partner with Willamette Valley growers to introduce their world-renowned hazelnuts to an ever-growing marketplace. We work with food purveyors around the world to find ways to include rich, flavorful Northwest hazelnuts in a variety of products.”
Rooting around online, I was reminded that Oregon grows almost all — 99 percent, the various sources say — of the hazelnuts produced in the United States. And most of that production takes place in the Willamette Valley.
Along Bryant Drive and Bryant Way, hazelnut orchards are relatively new.
Only a few years ago, bike rides on this, my favorite route outside of town, took me past ryegrass or wheat fields. Now there are hazelnut orchards as far as the eye can see.
Maybe 10 years ago or so, I watched a crew planting what looked like sticks in a field off Bryant Way. I stopped and asked what they were planting.
“Fibbets,” the guy said.
“What?”
“Fibbets,” he repeated.
It took a few more repetitions of that laconic exchange. But then I got it.
“Ah, hazelnuts.”
This is one of the many benefits of living in Albany. We’re only a short bike ride away from orchards and farms that help feed the world. (hh)
With the growing number filbert/fibbert/hazel nut orchards in the valley I wonder if/when the product will become a glut on the market and the price to the grower will drop? The take a number of years before they start producing so it’s a risky business that is taken by the grower.
Thanks to the farmers who take those risks and hours they spend.
We are so blessed by this crop in Oregon – I enjoy mailing them out of state to those not having the trees around them daily!
The pacific northwest is one of the most beautiful places in the united states and has the ability to grow all most anything. Focusing on the environments natural assets is the best way to create a positive and productive economy as well as a great place to live. Thank you for pointing that out.
I’ve always called them filberts.
It is pretty cool that I know the Family that owns that farm. I heard them say it is going pretty good harvesting them.
The price for filberts is in the toilet as the increase in acreage the past 10 years is unsustainable.
Maybe if we all bought a jar of Nutella?
Maybe we should say on signs “Hazelnut Capital of the World” like they say Grass Seed Capital of the World.
It wouldn’t be true as Turkey is the Hazelnut capitol of the world. Which capitol is correct Hasso
I do wonder about the affects on our local environment and wildlife having a near monoculture of ‘fibbets’ in our valley. Do help me understand. Thank you. A local neighbor.