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Walnut Council National Meeting
Join us in Indiana’s Lake Country to explore forest management in a region known for its glacial lakes and one of the largest Amish communities in the United States.
This multi-day program offers hands-on learning, expert insights, and valuable networking opportunities:
Sunday (Diehl Farm)
Kick off the event with a relaxed cookout and “landowner show-and-tell.” Members will share their experiences, successes, and practical tips through informal presentations.
Monday (Field Tour & Banquet)
Spend the day touring the Diehl family property in Warsaw, which has been actively managed for generations. Highlights include:
- Hardwood and plantation management demonstrations
- Thinning and natural regeneration strategies
- Grafted walnut seed orchard (preserving genetics from prized veneer trees)
- Mixed-species plantations established in 1990 and 1992, with some walnuts growing up to ½ inch per year
- Soil pit exploration, sawmill demonstration, and deer protection practices
- Discussion of walnut competition with species such as tulip poplar
The day concludes with a banquet in the evening.
Tuesday (Indoor Program – Center Lake Pavilion)
Held at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw, this program features expert presentations on forest management, economics, and forest health, along with roundtable discussions and a landowner panel.
Companion Tours (Monday & Tuesday)
Optional tours for guests less focused on forestry will explore the local Amish community, offering insights into regional history, arts, crafts, and traditions.
Registration
Participants may register for the full event or attend individual days. Events will take place at the Diehl Farm and the Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw, Indiana.