OUR TEAM

Richard LANE

His vision is simple: leave behind something that enables his family to make a living together. Not only does he contribute the vision, the land, and the opportunity; he is currently the primary manager of the chestnut orchard as well. Recently he has been setting up a custom processing line which includes a chestnut sizer and a washer that he designed.

 

Jeff & Leanne ALLEN

Jeff oversees the business side of things; he manages the finances, keeps records on every tree, develops plans and projections, and has a spreadsheet for pretty much everything.  Leanne is responsible for the website & blog and -- with the help of other family members -- she and Jeff are working to develop an online store for direct--to--consumer sales.

Ethan and Stacia are excited to be involved in a family-oriented business and to one day involve their son, Rhett. Ethan's extensive experience with retail sales and social media marketing will be valuable assets for Valley Chestnuts.

Caleb & Jessica GERST

Caleb & Jessica will return to the area in 2021, once Caleb fulfills his commitment to the U.S. Marine Corp. He sees himself working in orchard management and possibly retail sales, but his adaptability and discipline will serve us well in a variety of ways.

Trevor GERST

Trevor is involved in the planting and care of our chestnut trees and acreage, helping with mowing, spraying, record-keeping, and a number of other tasks. He looks forward to living and working on the family farm.

Athan & Emily MONCADA

Down the road, Athan & Emily plan to return to Iowa and become further involved in the family business. In the meantime, Athan's business background and analytics know-how are being utilized, and Emily is assisting with social media. They're excited to collaborate with family.

See what our team has been up to on Facebook!

Olivia ALLEN

Olivia will graduate from Iowa State in December with a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture. Although she's uncertain about where she will settle, her specialized studies and hands-on experience in fruit & vegetable production, large-scale research, and food safety will be great resources for Valley Chestnuts.