Growing Elderberries: A PRODUCTION MANUAL AND ENTERPRISE VIABILITY GUIDE FOR VERMONT AND THE NORTHEAST i Cover photos: Tori Lee Jackson, University of Maine Extension GROWING ELDERBERRIES: A PRODUCTION MANUAL AND ENTERPRISE VIABILITY GUIDE FOR VERMONT AND THE NORTHEAST Funding for UVM Extension’s Elderberry Project was provided in part by grants from the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (http://workinglands.vermont.gov/), and with a Rural Business Enterprise Grant from USDA Rural Development through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and the Northern Border Regional Commission and Northern Community Investment Corporation. Market and Enterprise Analyst Mary Sisock, Ph.D. and Principal Author Assistant Professor – Rose Wilson Extension Forestry Rosalie J Wilson Business Rubenstein School of Development Services Environment and Natural Resources Editor and Project Coordinator University of Vermont Ginger Nickerson, Ph.D. Produce Safety Program Tori Lee Jackson, M.S. Coordinator Extension Educator and UVM Extension Center for Associate Professor of Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture and Natural Resources Farmer and Processor Advisers University of Maine and Contributing Authors Cooperative Extension David Fried Special thanks to: Patrick Byers of University of Missouri Extension for the use of photographs and Elmore Roots Fruit Tree and David T. Handley, Ph.D. previously published materials; Michelle Graziosi Berry Nursery Vegetable and Small Fruit and Elizabeth Brownlee for the use of information on Elmore, Vt. Specialist Multifunctional Riparian Buffers; Ben Waterman for photographs and review of selected sections; Cathy University of Maine Yandow and Cheryl Herrick for editorial assistance; John Hayden Cooperative Extension Tamara Smith for graphic design; and Tori Lee The Farm Between Jackson, Abbie Sewall, John Hayden, David Fried, Todd Hardie, Guido Mase and Jennifer Brown for the use of Jeffersonville, Vt. Marjorie L. Peronto photographs. Extension Professor, UVM Extension helps individuals and communities Guido Masé Horticulture put research-based knowledge to work. Issued Urban Moonshine University of Maine in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Burlington, Vt. Cooperative Extension Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Todd Hardie Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and Thornhill Farm U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without Greensboro, Vt. regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, Extension Advisers, and marital or familial status. Any reference to commercial products, trade names, or brand names is Contributing Authors and for information only, and no endorsement or approval Reviewers is intended. Joshua Faulkner, Ph.D. Copyright © 2016, UVM Center for Sustainable Farming and Climate Change Agriculture, University of Vermont Extension. All rights Coordinator reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced UVM Extension Center for without the prior permission of the UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture (http://www.uvm. Sustainable Agriculture edu/~susagctr). Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1 ELDERBERRY BASICS..................................................................................................................... 3 CULTIVARS, SITE PREPARATION AND ESTABLISHMENT ............................................................... 6 MAINTENANCE .......................................................................................................................... 27 HARVESTING .............................................................................................................................. 37 POST-HARVEST HANDLING AND PROCESSING .......................................................................... 43 MARKETING ............................................................................................................................... 54 MAKING VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS .......................................................................................... 62 ENTERPRISE VIABILITY AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT SCENARIOS ........................................ 66 COOPERATIVE MODELS FOR SHARING RESOURCES AND AGGREGATING PRODUCT ............... 78 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................... 83 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 85 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................... 88 Appendix A: Sources of Plants ................................................................. 88 Appendix B: Interviews Conducted ........................................................... 90 Appendix C: Buyer Interview Questions ................................................... 91 Appendix D: Potential Local Buyers ......................................................... 92 Appendix E: Additional Resources ............................................................ 94 Cluster or cyme of green, ripening berries (Tori Lee Jackson, University of Maine Extension) Introduction Purpose of Guide This guide came about in response to farmers and landowners expressing interest in non-traditional specialty crops as a means of diversifying their enterprises, or as a potential source of income from marginal lands. The interest seems to follow the fruit’s reputation for high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial nutritional properties, and its ability to grow in heavier soils and floodplains. With this in mind, this guide is directed towards people with an interest in growing elderberry for profit, and is intended to help them determine if elderberry is the right commercial crop for them. However, there is also much information that will be of use to backyard Elderflowers gardeners and people who want to make elderberry-based products for (Ginger Nickerson, UVM Extension) their friends and family. Because elderberry has traditionally been harvested from the wild and not cultivated on a large scale, little is known about its potential as a commercial crop. We hope this guide will help share what is known about elderberry and may stimulate additional research on this interesting crop for the Northeast. A Note about Organic and Biological Control Practices We have chosen to promote cultural and biological controls for weed and pest management over chemical controls as much as possible. Since many consumers are consuming elderberry products because of health concerns, they frequently prefer berries and flowers grown without chemicals. We also believe that maximizing biodiversity is one of the most important tools for Cluster of ripe elderberries (Tori Lee Jackson, University of Maine) promoting a healthy farm ecosystem, and many broad spectrum pesticides (even those allowed under the organic certification programs) are toxic to beneficial insects such as bees and other pollinators. Finally, the long- term ecological impacts of many of the chemicals allowed under organic production are not yet well understood. Subsequently, this guide focuses on working with the ecological integrity of natural systems by starting with vigorous plants; managing for high soil organic matter; and promoting biodiversity to attract beneficial insects and soil microorganisms. Although occasionally we have included information about chemical management, pesticides should be used with caution and as a last resort. 1 Introduction Information Sources Throughout the guide we have placed tips drawn from the following sources: Grower and Processor Tips The grower and processor advisers for this project have been growing and making products from elderberry for many years – they are some of the most experienced growers in Vermont. They have shared the tips that have saved them time and money, or improved yield and management. Expert Opinions Because American Elderberry or Sambucus canadensis is a relatively new commercial crop in the United States, especially in the Northeast, in many situations, there is no well-researched “right” way to address cultivation or processing issues. In these cases, we’ve shared a variety of opinions from our advisers, reviewers and other experts about what works for them. Growers can use this information to guide their decisions, and conduct their own research comparing different methods. Research In a few places throughout this guide we have shared excerpts and quotes from relevant research. Keep in mind that as more research is conducted, some of this information may become outdated. The National Agricultural Library Catalog (AGRICOLA) is a searchable database with citations for agricultural literature. While the full text of most of this research is only available through a library with a copy of the book or a subscription to the journal, the abstracts are available on the internet via Agricola. The Agriculture Network Information Collaborative (AgNIC) also maintains a searchable database of research on different crops and has a good list of elderberry related research. THE ELDERBERRY SONG What’s that growing by the side of the road? Big flower heads for bees and cool shade for