2026 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program applications close on March 3, 2026.
Ox Heights and North Star Chestnuts
Rogers City, MI
Location:
Rogers City, MI
Total Acres:
180 acres
Agroforestry Acres:
40 Acres
Year Established:
2017
Introduction
The Johnson’s are first generation farmers with 5 kids, ages 7-15. Our 180-acre farm, Ox Heights, is in Presque Isle County Michigan (NE lower peninsula) and is certified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program in Farmstead Systems, Cropping, Livestock, and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems. With support from SARE (Projects FNC17-1081, FNC19-1170, FNC21-1329, FNC 24-1420), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and our kids, we are learning and demonstrating how farmland on marginal loamy sand soils in the North Central Region can grow sustainable, high value, and diverse crops. Abby (farm manager) has an Engineering Degree from Michigan State University (Biosystems Engineering) and is President of the Midwest Chestnut Producers Council. Nick (farm labor) has undergraduate and graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D) from Michigan State University in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Forestry.
Main Agroforestry Species
Chestnuts, peaches, English walnut, hazelnut, apples, pear
Contact Information
Main Contact:
Abby Johnson
Phone
5177401551
Email:
Website:
Social Link
Social Link
Site Visitors
Yes
Nursery or Planting Stock Provider Information
Agroforestry System Design
We maintain 20 ewes that produce ~30 lambs for meat annually. The sheep are rotationally grazed through our 20 acres of grafted European chestnuts (SARE FNC17-1081 and FNC19-1170), English Walnut/Peach intercrop orchard (SARE FNC21-1329), and a pine nut/fir intercrop orchard (SARE FNC24-1420). Hay for the winters is taken from about 10 acres. Our remaining acreage is managed for Christmas greenery and hardwood timber.
Personal or Collective Experiences
Please reference our blog that documents our start and work since 2018. https://oxheights.com/blog
February 26, 2026 at 1:14:10 AM