TOLEDO — Tama County Women, Land & Legacy (WLL) hosted its 54th local event, “Nuts for Fall,” on Wednesday, Oct. 15, drawing around 50 attendees to the rural Toledo farmstead of Eric and Michele Werner. The evening spotlighted the family’s longtime walnut business and the next generation now leading it, high school senior Belle Werner.

Belle, a Benton Community High School senior and resident of rural Toledo, has taken the reins at Werner’s Walnuts, a business her father, Eric Werner, began in 1997. She officially took over operations in 2020 and has since expanded the business into a thriving youth-led enterprise.

“I wanted to make some money but I didn’t know how to do that while still being involved,” Belle said. “This offers very flexible hours. I can set things up around my busy schedule.”

Each fall, Belle collects and processes thousands of pounds of walnuts — roughly 10,000 pounds each weekend — for Hammon’s Walnuts, a premium nut company based in Missouri. As of mid-October, she had already collected 50,000 pounds for the season, managing the work alongside school, FFA, and community leadership commitments.

Her mother, Michele Werner, is an active member of Women, Land & Legacy and has introduced Belle to women’s empowerment in agriculture from a young age. That influence, Belle said, helped her see the potential for leadership within her community.

At the “Nuts for Fall” event, Belle gave a live demonstration of her walnut-cleaning equipment and explained each step of the collection process. Attendees were able to see the machinery in action and hear about the family’s operation directly from Belle herself.

“This whole experience has improved my communication and leadership skills,” she said. “I can say I don’t really get stage fright anymore when talking to groups or even those one-on-one situations.”

In the weeks following the presentation, Belle said several customers have mentioned hearing about the event and reached out to learn more about Werner’s Walnuts – proof that the outreach worked.

Her dedication has also earned statewide recognition. Belle serves as the Southwest Vice President for the Northeast Iowa District FFA Officer Team, and her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project in walnut production led her to be named a Stars Over Iowa Finalist in Agribusiness, one of just four students statewide to receive the honor. She was also recognized as the State Runner-Up in Ag Processing.

Looking ahead, Belle plans to attend Iowa State University, majoring in agribusiness and finance, with the long-term goal of selling agricultural real estate. She’s currently on track to graduate high school with her associate’s degree.

To sell walnuts to Werner’s Walnut’s, Belle can be reached by phone at 641-751-8370.

Women, Land & Legacy

Tama County’s Women, Land & Legacy chapter began in 2007 as part of a statewide USDA partnership program designed to engage women in agriculture through networking, education, and community outreach. Since its founding, more than 500 local participants have attended WLL events, with chapters now active in 45 Iowa counties.

The event continued that mission — connecting generations, strengthening community, and showcasing how agriculture in Tama County remains rooted in family, innovation, and a strong sense of community.