HazelWorks Pilot Processing LineTurning in-shell hazelnuts into kernel has been a major bottleneck for growers in the Upper Midwest. But no more. HazelWorks is a public-private partnership between UW-Extension and the Great Waters Nut Company providing subsidized fee-for-service processing for any and all growers. Our processing line is located in Ashland, WI in the Hulings Rice Food Center of the former Northland College.
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Growers Come First
All too often in agriculture, the processors serve as the gatekeepers and squeeze the growers. HazelWorks is different. As a public-private partnership its mission is to serve the growers and we do this through open-access, fee-for-service processing with caps on returns to the private partners.
The HazelWorks objectives:
Using the HazelWorks Pilot Processing Line
The processing line is available for use by any grower for hobby or commercial processing. There is a fee for use of the processing line and users may need to acquire a food processing plant license if selling kernels. Contact Jason Fischbach for more information and to schedule a time. For liability reasons all equipment is operated by UW-Extension staff, though users can help with the final visual inspection step. HazelWorks does not buy or sell hazelnuts, we just provide a processing service.
What Does It Cost?
The HazelWorks processing fee is set annually and is based on a cost-plus model. We add up all the costs (equipment, facility, insurance, labor, etc) and then divide that by the projected volume of nuts to get a $/lb of in-shell fee. Private partners receive no more than a 6% return on their invested capital. Subtracted from that cost is any equipment owned by UW-Extension or acquired with grant funding. We also actively seek grant funding and donations to reduce labor and facility costs. Because we divide the total cost by the total volume of processed nuts to set the fee, the more growers that use the processing line the cheaper it is for everyone. Contact Jason Fischbach for the most current pricing schedule.
All too often in agriculture, the processors serve as the gatekeepers and squeeze the growers. HazelWorks is different. As a public-private partnership its mission is to serve the growers and we do this through open-access, fee-for-service processing with caps on returns to the private partners.
The HazelWorks objectives:
- Build and grow a licensed hazelnut processing facility to serve growers in the Upper Midwest.
- Provide subsidized processing to lower barriers to entry for growers and provide an economically viable path to market.
- Provide access to a processing line so that everyone has an equal chance at building their farm and food enterprises.
Using the HazelWorks Pilot Processing Line
The processing line is available for use by any grower for hobby or commercial processing. There is a fee for use of the processing line and users may need to acquire a food processing plant license if selling kernels. Contact Jason Fischbach for more information and to schedule a time. For liability reasons all equipment is operated by UW-Extension staff, though users can help with the final visual inspection step. HazelWorks does not buy or sell hazelnuts, we just provide a processing service.
What Does It Cost?
The HazelWorks processing fee is set annually and is based on a cost-plus model. We add up all the costs (equipment, facility, insurance, labor, etc) and then divide that by the projected volume of nuts to get a $/lb of in-shell fee. Private partners receive no more than a 6% return on their invested capital. Subtracted from that cost is any equipment owned by UW-Extension or acquired with grant funding. We also actively seek grant funding and donations to reduce labor and facility costs. Because we divide the total cost by the total volume of processed nuts to set the fee, the more growers that use the processing line the cheaper it is for everyone. Contact Jason Fischbach for the most current pricing schedule.
Current HazelWorks Processing Equipment
Our current processing equipment as of December 2025. New equipment arriving the winter of 2026 so stay tuned.
Our current processing equipment as of December 2025. New equipment arriving the winter of 2026 so stay tuned.
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De-Husking
Pendragon X12A De-husker
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In-Shell Sizing
Badger Slot Sizer
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Shelling
2 Borrell Sample Shellers
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Kernel-Shell Sorting
Pendragon DSR1260 Drum Sorter
Badger Aspirator
Pendragon BFS-01 Feeder Carts
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Pendragon TBS415 Tilted Belt Sorter
Sortdek N1 Color Sorter & Air Compressor
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Badger Tilted Belt Sorter
TBS415 Hand-Sort Mode
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