Why We Started
United Chestnuts
and Where We’re Headed
We saw something worth saving —and rebuilding.
We Started With a Single Farm
United Chestnuts began at EBB Farms, where Melanie Jones was helping turn a few chestnut trees into something more: a working model of what chestnut farming could be. Along the way, she teamed up with digital strategist Kimberly Douglass to share what they were learning—through podcasts, workshops, and direct support for fellow growers.
The more growers they spoke to, the clearer the pattern became:
The passion was there.
The product was there.
But the platform, support, and visibility?
Nowhere to be found.
So they built it.
From the beginning, this work has been about more than just one farm—or one nut. United Chestnuts is laying the foundation for a first-of-its-kind model of collaborative growth in agriculture, where education, empowerment, and profitability go hand-in-hand.
This Is Bigger Than a Brand.
It’s a Backbone.
United Chestnuts isn’t just a website. It’s a way to restore what was lost—and reimagine what’s possible. We’re giving growers tools, shared branding, and strategic storytelling. We’re supporting landowners looking to diversify. And we’re building something consumers can actually see, trust, and taste.
We believe in slow crops, long-term systems, and food that gives more than it takes.
Who We Are
Melanie Jones
Founder, United Chestnuts | Grower & Systems Strategist
Melanie is the visionary behind United Chestnuts and co-owner of EBB Farms alongside her husband, Brad. It’s on this land that their chestnut journey first took root. With a background in business strategy and years of hands-on chestnut farming experience, Melanie recognized what was missing in the market—and set out to build it. Her leadership blends practical insight with bold, long-term thinking. She’s not just growing chestnuts; she’s creating the infrastructure that growers across the country need to succeed. Through advocacy, education, and systems design, Melanie is building a future where chestnut farming is viable, visible, and scalable.
Kimberly Douglass
Co-Founder & Brand Strategist, United Chestnuts
Kimberly is a co-founder of United Chestnuts and the creative force behind its national voice. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy, she’s helped companies—from legacy media to mission-driven startups—craft stories that move people. At United Chestnuts, she leads everything from brand development to strategic outreach, ensuring that growers are not only seen but understood. Her work connects farms to markets, products to purpose, and ideas to action.
We’re Here for the Long Haul
We’re not building a flash‑in‑the‑pan startup. We’re laying the groundwork for a resilient, farmer-first economy where chestnuts can thrive again.