The strips between the rows should be in 50 percent legumes and 50 percent grasses. After looking at those 65 varieties, they found six with the most potential. Of all these, SWD is of the most concern. They also put down agricultural charcoal to simulate burning, which stimulates soil microorganisms, and added minerals and trace elements. Thus, they can be marketed fresh or in you-pick operations. These 2018 estimates presume a realized price of $3.50 per pound of elder-berries. Rethink:Rural celebrates the virtues of country living and helps those who are searching for a rural lifestyle find the answers they need: learn why so many people are choosing rural life, plus get practical information on how to buy land and shape it to suit your dreams. It is sometimes considered to be the same species as Sambucus nigra, the European elderberry or black elderberry.The two are at least very closely related. application (no more than 10 lbs per acre) of nitrogen may be made 4-8 weeks after planting. Expert beekeepers offer 5 tips to help you start your hive. Ames, IA 50010, Green and Black Gram Breeding Program Introduces Crop to Iowa. Think you need large acreage to start a farm? Several cultivars are available to growers inthe Midwest. All of which, Rodger says, grow well in the South: Although not all of the top-six varieties are native to the South, Rodger says that can work in the farmer’s favor: “Non-native bushes perform rather well, but may not flower in sync with the native varieties. The American elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, also called common elderberry or wild elder, is native to eastern North America. Cultural practices in northern climates are being studied to determine if cutting the entire plant down is feasible, or if an alternative pruning regime will be needed. Yet, few of these exotic superfruits live up to their marketing and reputation. Elderberry grows wild throughout the eastern United States, as well as the Midwest, and can be seen along roadsides and rivers. Fungal and bacterial leaf spots round out the list of diseases affecting elderberry plants,although distribution does not seem to be widespread. Per Rodger, “As soon as the ground thaws out. When Norman was about to turn 80, he turned to his son Rodger to take over the farm. “When my Dad approached me, he said, ‘I need you to take care of the farm, I can't do it anymore,’” says Rodger. Cultural practices In Missouri are to cut the bush down after harvest and grow new shoots every year. Thinking about adding a livestock or guardian dog to your family but don’t quite know where to start? And with more and more studies surfacing about their incredible health benefits, the demand for growers will continue to rise. Should You Get a Donkey for your Rural Land? Subscribe and stay up-to-date on Iowa small farm and sustainable ag issues. They looked at overall yield per acre, whether or not they had shattering tendency, uniform ripening, etc. As proven by Norm’s Farms, there are variety of markets for elderberries and elderflowers including: The cane of the elderberry bush, which can be processed similar to bamboo, also has value for sheet goods and packaging such as egg cartons, drinking cups, etc. They planted cuttings on 1 irrigated acre and the farmer harvested 600 pounds of berries in the first year. One acre inch of water per week during the growing sea- son is considered optimum, as is a slightly acid soil reaction (pH 5.5 to 6.0). As mentioned above, UMA’s elderberry study looked at the best varieties to grow for market, and came up with these top six. ... you “apply 1/8 pound of ammonium nitrate (or 0.5 lbs. Researchers continue to look for plants with large berries, high yields, and favorable growth traits. Additionally, we suggest Wyldewood be cross-pollinated. High in Nutrients. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. In today’s post, elderberry growing expert Rodger Lenhardt of Norm’s Farm in Pittsboro, North Carolina gives us an inside look into the exciting and booming world of elderberry growing, processing and marketing. Many of elderberry's health benefits can be attributed to anthocyanin. They also host a website with lots of useful information on the health benefits of elderberry as well as production information and links to other useful sites. Actual elderberry value/acre will aggregate from selling a collage of elder berry & flower products/ingredients Influences of global ingredient bias & low prices Elder berry & flower harvest & processing challenges: ripeness, pests, storage, % allocation to processors Buyers of quality wholesale ingredients need to profit, to Elderberry also exerts anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling and pain by tempering the body's immune response.2 1995, 2004, ... Prices paid averaged $0.75 per pound of fruit. Norm's Farms is committed to producing sustainable, natural, and delicious elderberry products from the North American variety of elderberry, Sambucus canadensis. The prospect of buying land is a lot less intimidating when you understand the basic process. You could stick a shovel into the dusty ground and not dig up a single earthworm. Cultivars Mature bearing elderberry plantings benefit from 60-80 pounds of nitrogen per acre annually, applied as growth begins in late March to early April. According to Rodger, one of the great things about growing elderberries is how easy they are to propagate yourself. Site Selection Strawberries grow in almost any climate, but it is critical to select cultivars adapted to your region and tolerant to its pests. Those legumes should make 100 pounds of Nitrogen a year, about half of what the elderberries need. An acre, then, if that's a feasible amount for a small farmer to manage, could net $2000 per acre. With a 6 pound elderberry harvest average per bush, you will need two elderberry plants per person to satisfy your syrup needs. There are a number of tax exemptions and benefits available to rural landowners. Idaho seeds are ranked the best in the world, and are shipped to more than 120 countries and every continent except Antarctica. The figures are based on feedback received from growers as well as estimates when needed. So take the time to cultivate and amend your soil. Elderberry production is similar to all reproductive growing systems. Adams and Johns are cultivars from New York while Bob Gordon and Wyldewood are from Missouri and Oklahoma. Compared to other perennial crop options, elderberries have a higher risk because of limited data for Iowa, but the reward can be high as well if a market can be secured. As an example of the profits that can be made with this new and rapidly growing crop, Durham told of one farmer he helped with an installation. Pat Black 10-10-10) for each year of the plant’s age, up to one pound per plant (or up to 4 lbs. Could elderberry growing help diversify your rural land like it did for Norm’s Farms? 113 likes. This has several benefits. But is there any truth behind the hype? … Read more Growing Elderberry for – … Few processors exist in the Midwest to utilize elderberries. Subscribe to get all of our latest content sent directly to your inbox, or contact us directly with any questions you have. Most were developed in New York or Canada before 1960. If you’re like many rural land owners, you have likely thought at length about how to best use your rural land to generate income. All rights reserved. Your irrigation costs can vary depending on what kind of system you use. Elderberry is resistant to atmospheric pollution. The safety of its long-term use is unknown. Pest and disease issues Keep in mind, since elderberries have very shallow roots, no tractors, tillers or hoes should be used as they can damage the new roots. While most of us immediately think of tomatoes or salad greens, the most profitable plants are specialty crops that are not always found in a home vegetable garden. “I always tell new growers that you don’t need to buy acres and acres of cuttings from us to start, because you can propagate them so quickly. After looking at those 65 varieties, they found six with the most potential. Wholesale prices for fruit in Missouri range from $0.50 to $0.75 (wholesale) per pound. Even more significant, marketing channels are developing, and a product line exists that uses Midwestern-grown berries, indicating an emerging market. production of 8,000 pounds per acre in the seventh through ninth years or 3,000 pounds per acre higher than a similar planting without irrigation. That is mighty dense profitability for anything short of a mine. Were a leading supplier of seeds for vegetables like carrot, onion, turnip, and lettuce, as well as for alfalfa and Kentucky bluegrass. A big waterwheel planter can plant an acre per hour. With his wish in mind we set the farm up as a trust so it could produce food, plant based medicine, energy and at the same time provide a safe haven for wildlife while still protected from development. “Planning your harvest is key for the busy farmer, so if you want an early season, late season and mid-season, you can choose native and non-native varieties to spread that out.”. Rodger recommends planting your cuttings two feet apart with rows spaces twelve feet apart. Visit her online at: Similarly, a group of growers in Minnesota has formed the Minnesota Elderberry Cooperative to aggregate berries from member growers, market their own line of products, and serve larger institutional buyers. Plus, it makes delicious jams, jellies, baked goods and more; its flowers can be used to make gourmet beverages and even its cane has a variety of practical uses. More recently, the University of Missouri has released improved cultivars of American elderberry selected from the wild in Missouri and Oklahoma. This equates to an average annual return of $493.20 per acre. Read This Planning Guide First, Eat Your Greens! They can take the coolest weather North America can throw at them and it forces them to grow roots first. Initial demand looks promising and existing marketing channels are emerging with River Hills Harvest and the Minnesota Elderberry Cooperative. Except for one tried-and-true superfruit that grows freely throughout most of the United States, including the Southeast: the elderberry. Visit Raydient Places, 8 Weird and Wonderful Ways to Make Money Off your Land, How to Choose the best Livestock Guard Dog Breed for your Farm, Fire Rakes---The Most Useful Outdoor Tool You Don't Own, How to Prepare Your Farm or Homestead for a Hurricane, How This Couple Started an American Tea Company On Their Rural Land, So You Want To Build A Barn? In the study it ranked second as a producer, offering the potential of up to 12,000 pounds per acre yield. Real stories. For elderberries, establishment is a very significant cost estimated at just over $5,200 per acre. What’s more, its superfruit status has been scientifically proven (unlike many others) to help with a variety of common modern ailments—from reducing the duration and severity of colds and flu by boosting immunity, to stopping hay fever and seasonal allergies. The berries grown up north are sweeter than the berries grown down south because of the cooler temperatures which draws the sugars up.”. It comes down to understanding the codes in your specific area. Elderberries don't compete well with grass and weeds. Varieties developed at a certain latitude are generally Idaho grows 70% of the hybrid temperate sweet corn seed produced in the world. The accompanying worksheet outlines many of the assumptions used in the economic analysis. “Now we had to figure out what to do with that beautiful land. This couple shares how they set up a successful organic microgreens business from their suburban... Space is valuable and we need to take advantage of "lost" space on our property. For every $0.10 change in price, returns per 1/5-acre will increase by approximately $120. In addition to research producers in Midwest are already involved in the elderberry industry with potential to grow. Alternate pruning regimes include complete removal every other year, selective pruning of the largest stems, or not pruning at all. Elderberry will fruit for 25-30 years and can yield conservative figures of 4,000lbs of berries per acre annually. Elderberries have many uses including juice, jelly, medicinal products and more. If you would also like some elderberry jelly , it takes 3 pounds to make 6 one half pints of elderberry … Generally, a new strawberry farm should start small. River Hills Harvest - http://riverhillsharvest.com/ In order to glean $100,000.00 from 1 acre, you would have to make $2.30 per square foot, multiplied 43,560 times. They looked at overall yield per acre, whether or not they had shattering tendency, uniform ripening, etc. It seems every year we hear about some new antioxidant-rich “superfruit,” promising to rid us of all our modern ailments—from premature aging to aches and pains. Copyright © 1995-var d = new Date(); var n = d.getFullYear(); document.write(n); Elderberry Acres Farm. ... (52.2 milligrams per cup) and dietary fiber (10.2 grams per … ing gross returns of $3,920 per full-bearing 1/5-acre, returns to land, capital and management would be ap-proximately $900 per 1/5-acre. Norm’s Farms, now operated by Rodger Lenhardt and family, didn’t start out as the poster-child for sustainable elderberry farming, quite the opposite. Breakeven is possible by Year 13 with solid annual returns thereafter. “One of the things he was most interested in was farmland preservation. There were no butterflies, no bugs, no birds. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use non-local types. Known as the “security alarm of the country,” these birds aren’t your typical backyard chickens. Calculating the number of strawberry plants per acre is much easier and less risky when the farmer doesn’t jump in with both boots. For those growers looking to direct market, berries can be sold fresh or frozen for juicing, baked goods, candies, etc. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/agroforestry-farm-elderberry Despite the poor soil quality, Rodger’s methods worked and within a year they had beautiful field teeming with life including insects, pollinators, birds, worms and everything you want in a healthy farm eco-system. Elderberry supplements seem to have few risks when used daily for up to five days. Rodger put his knowledge about restorative agriculture to work by planting nitrogen fixing legumes, grasses, different varieties of clover and tillage radishes—which help with moisture retention and minerals. Harvest costs are another significant expense and are somewhat proportional to the yield. Those are the ones we started growing, and became a poster child for the elderberry improvement project.”. We asked expert Jan Dohner for the scoop on... A fire rake is designed to be used as a forest fire fighting tool, but it does so much more! Real land. Brenda Alcott-Reid, in her SARE report on sandhill plum in Kansas, states that potential gross return of sandhill plum hedgerow at $.50-$.60/lb is $2400 per acre per year, net profit $1520. So, it pays to do your research before investing in a certain variety. And over the years I had developed an interest in what I call “restorative agriculture,” and with everything moving toward GMOs, I told Dad the first thing I’m doing is taking the farm out of annual monocrop production, and he basically gave me his blessing.”, With his father’s blessing, Rodger got to work restoring what he called “a landscape completely devoid of life.”, “There was absolutely no life in that field. Read on to learn more about the elderberry growing process. Risks. Similar to aronia berry, elderberry is also referred to as a "superfruit' due to its high level of antioxidants and associated health benefits. The Webbs started a daylily business from scratch with a next-to-nothing financial investment and a lot of hard work. Since we’re prone to flooding we didn’t want to put in an annual crop, so we hit upon the idea of growing elderberry from The University of Missouri’s elderberry improvement project. Ranges are given for various expenses to reflect differences in materials and management. As an antioxidant, anthocyanin works by clearing the body of free radicals that damage cells at the DNA level.1 It also has antiviral properties that may prevent or reduce the severity of certain common infections. The female fly will lay eggs in soft-fruited berries, damaging the fruit. Therefore with approximately 120 elderberries grown, an estimated gross profit from wine is $9,240 and $21,120 (at $16 per pint) from syrup per year. How many elderberry plants do I need to make jelly? Get those cuttings into moist ground after the last freeze, they’ll grow roots at a 40-degree soil temperature. “You want to spread into a dense hedge-like growth to maintain a two-foot row of elderberry where you see fifty-plus feet of canes. It is very adaptable and can grow in a range of environments; it can grow in damp or dry soil and it can also grow in clay. First, it produces larger but fewer overall clusters of berries, making harvest easier and quicker. Elderberry and elderberry supplements have gained popularity in recent year. That would increase the per-acre yield to 130,000 pounds and bring the per-acre, per-year revenue to $390,000. They have a complete product offering on their website, including seasonal cuttings for those who want to try their hand at growing this versatile native superfruit. However, we tell people to pinch off those first flowers and wait for the next season to give the plants more time to get established and grow stronger roots.”. The health benefits of having a pet are becoming widely known. Naturally grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, and finished products you can feel good about buying and eating! Fertilizer is estimated at a $100 per acre. 2150 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2031 (800) 262-3804, Iowa State University | There is also a European Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) which is more ornamental and does not produce as much fruit, nor is it as tasty.Use caution when choosing elderberries, especially if you are harvesting from the wild. The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri - http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/ This native fast-growing shrub produces fruit from its second year onwards. All rights reserved. Elderberries—The Ultimate Cash-Crop for Your Rural Land, If you’re buying rural land, you’ll want to become familiar with any covenants. Profit Potential: $0 to $5,000 per acre: Adapted Areas: East Texas: Labor Requirements: When yield is heavy, 10 to 15 pickers per acre are needed to harvest. Never eat or drink any product made from raw elderberry … From there, you can easily cultivate more and more bushes from your existing plants. They offer extracts, syrups, jams, jellies, and preserves, as well as dried elderflowers. Marketing Rinse strawberries in cold water, slice off the stem, cut in half and place in bowl. When infestations occur, a single female can lay more than 100 eggs ina day, ruining entire crops.SWD has not been found in Iowa, although it has been found in Missouri and Illinois and is slowly inching into Minnesota and Wisconsin. As the financial model depicts, a grower could reasonably expect to generate a total profit of almost $10,000 over those 20 years, with the bulk being generated in Years 13 through 20. Norm's Farms supplies value-added size products and elderflowers to producers like vineyards, breweries, chefs and other specialty food companies. Second, it helps to narrow the ripening window. “We spread several semi loads of mulch around the plants. Norm's Farms Wondering how you can diversify your rural land and increase profits? hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(1710963, '727213d8-ed63-4c85-b5e6-8f9cc3715f8a', {}); Kristen Boye is the editor of Rethink:Rural and the owner of Holistic Writing Concepts---a copy and content writing company specializing in the natural health and green living markets. This would be about 100 bales of peat moss and 400 bags of pine fines per acre. The health benefits, coupled with improved cultivars that are showing consistent yields and quality, are getting growers interested in elderberry. Policies Per Rodger, “Elderberries like moist, cool, nutritious soil and are very shallow rooted. Based on the model, a grower might expect to see a positive annual return in Year Six of $1,364.65 (annual income exceeding annual costs). These GMO crops are engineered in such a way that no living thing will touch them, so we had our work cut out for us.”. Pruning It is not known how the more southern cultivars will grow in more northerly climates; therefore Adams and Johns should be considered for planting north of Interstate 80 in Iowa with other cultivars planted experimentally. The Verti-Gro farming method used by … Since elderberries like moist, wet soil, they use hay to mulch around the bases of the bushes. Elderberry is especially popular for its antiviral properties as it is recommended for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza (Zakay-Rones et al. Real people. These plants are very resilient so don’t baby them!”. If you have a few acres to spare, an interest in building soil and the drive to get in on the frontlines of one of natural medicine’s true superfruit crops; elderberry could be the ideal cash crop for your rural land. One area to consider is that of medicinal plant growing. It thrives in moist areas and can be grown in riparian situations. Soil pH should be 55-6.5, and weed control should be implemented through mulch, landscape fabric, hand weeding, or any combination that provides adequate management. If your soil’s good, you could end up with 3-4 canes per cutting that are 8 feet tall, and the following winter when the canes go into dormancy, you can harvest 50% of those canes and produce 6-8 cuttings from each cane, so you can expand rapidly from there at very little cost.”. They are flavorful and can be marketed as a fresh berry or frozen for later processing. Karma Acres Farm Made Beekeeping Dream a Reality, The Buzz About Beekeeping: How to Start A Hive of Your Own, Specialty and gourmet food and beverage companies. Rural land isn't just a great place to call home, it can also provide endless opportunities for active , semi-passive,or passive income. Fresh strawberries, 2 per serving Elderflower Syrup (recipe at Norm’s Farms and you’ll need elderflowers) Strawberry Preparation: Elderberry Wellness Syrup used to make Elderberry Strawberry Champagne – image from Norm’s Farms. If drainage is not adequate some growers plant on a raised berm. Plus, they typically cost an arm and leg and aren’t native to North America, making them near-impossible to grow for market. “They grow in a wide range from 5.5-7.6 pH range with near-neutral being the best. The American elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) is a multi-stemmed bush that is just beginning to be grown commercially in the Midwest, where little research has been done. Elderberries for commercial production require moist but well-drained soils with plenty of sunshine. Finally, pruning to the ground every year results in a more uniform height of stems, which could facilitate future mechanized harvesting. Mulch is reapplied every 5th year. They are also a supplier of rootstock to new growers and elderberry products to the general public. Growing plants for profit is a great way to turn your gardening skills into serious cash. For a large scale plantation 1500 plants per hectare or 60… For those growers not interested in direct marketing their berries, these are two marketing channels to consider. Many specialty crops can bring as much as $90,000 per acre, […] This is significant because harvesting requires multiple passes through the orchard. The assumption is that bushes are cut down to the ground every year. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service published a short introduction to elderberry production in 2012, including estimates that growers could realize $400 profit per 1/5 acre planted to elderberries, if the berries sold at $3/pound. You want it so dense you can hardly walk through the row.”. Annual maintenance costs are relatively low and represent mostly labor for mowing, weed control, and pruning. Wooded lots or timberland can offer an ideal alternative to hard-to-find open land and a great return on investment. Keep the soil moist with at least 1 inch of water per week until new growth appears. Rodger says the variety you choose also depends on if you’re interested in the flowers or the berries, or both. The product demand and generous prices along with mechanized harvesting could make elderberry production one of Missouri’s most profitable crops on a cost per acre.