2020 Comprehensive Elderberry Workshop
New Growers Workshop June 11, 2020
Workshop & Field Tours Friday & Saturday, June 12 & 13, 2020
Columbia, Missouri
Due to venue closures associated with COVID-19 This event has been canceled
Elderberry is a ‘new crop’, though the wild plant has been harvested for centuries, used by locals for medicine and nutrition. Hippocrates, known as the father of modern medicine, called elderberry, “Nature’s medicine chest for the common man.”
Now American elderberry is becoming recognized as a viable crop that is adaptable to many regions throughout the United States and Canada. With two-crop eligibility, both flowers and berries, and a short amount of time from first planting to harvest, elderberry is a great perennial to consider adding to the mix of annuals or perennials you raise. Growing elderberries is easy, and markets for this ‘new crop’ are opening up around the U.S.
Since 2009, The Comprehensive Elderberry Workshop & Field Tour has been held in central Missouri, home of Terry Durham. Missouri is also home to researchers engaged in cultural and selection trials. Each year, Durham gathers the best new knowledge and delivers it during this day-and-a-half workshop. You’ll learn from expert researchers and successful growers. About 100 growers attend, so there will be lots of tip sharing, too. At the end of each workshop, Durham teaches the highly-detailed handling techniques mandated at harvest so growers can sell their berries.
New Growers will also want to attend the separate afternoon workshop designed especially for them. Learn all about elderberry, its introduction into the modern market, early research, and how to propagate.
Durham conceived of creating a market so growers would have a place to sell their elderberries. Then he turned berries he grew, and those he purchased from growers he helped train, into the River Hills Harvest brand of products—all featuring 100% pure premium elderberry juice.
This event is co-sponsored by the MU Center for Agroforestry.
Workshop and Field Tour
Friday and Saturday, June 12 - 13, 2020, at MU Bradford Research Center.
Friday Saturday
Check-in 8:30am Workshop 8:30am - 1:00pm
Workshop 9:00am - 5:30pm Lunch included
Lunch included Preparing Berries for Selling to RHH -1:00 pm
Elderberry Reception 5:30pm
Field Tour 6:30pm
This day-and-a-half-long event brings you together with leaders in the elderberry-growing community. They'll share best new-knowledge from horticulture research to marketing, pests, fertilization, and perhaps most important, regulations, for this highly sought 'new crop'. At the end of each workshop, you'll learn the highly-detailed handling techniques mandated at harvest so growers can sell their berries.
Plus, with over 100 growers in attendance, you'll find new friends and learn tips from the most experienced growers.
The schedule is being put together right now and will be posted as soon as speakers are confirmed.
New Grower Workshop
From 1 to 5 pm on Thursday, June 11, 2020, at The MU Bradford Research Center.
If you are new to growing elderberries this is the workshop that will get you started on the right track. You'll get all the basics, how to prepare your soil, the best orientation for rows, how to use the dynamic growing methods that help keep diseases and pests to a minimum, the precautions that must be taken in harvesting and using elderberries, as well as which selections offer you the product you want, based on your needs and desires.
This intensive, hands-on workshop offers you a first chance to learn a lot in a short time, and have your questions answered.
Registration
Ticket Types and Pricing
New Grower's Workshop
Thursday, June 11, 2020, 1 to 5 pm at The MU Bradford Research Center
Early Bird Rate (through April 30)
Registration $85
Registration fee includes Workshop materials and a snack during the New Grower Workshop.
Two-Day Grower Workshop & Field Tours
Friday & Saturday, June 12 & 13, 2020, at the MU Bradford Research Center
Early Bird Rate (through April 30)
Registration $150
Registration fee includes lunch and snacks both days of the Elderberry Workshop and Field Tour.
Full Conference
New Grower Workshop &
Workshop and Field Tour
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 11 - 13, 2020, at the MU Bradford Research Center
Early Bird Rate (through April 30)
Registration $215
Registration fee includes snacks during the New Grower Workshop, and lunch and snacks both days of the Elderberry Workshop and Field Tour.
Agenda and Schedule
Coming soon!
Location
All three days of the conference will take place at the MU Bradford Research Center in Columbia, Missouri.
4968 S. Rangeline Road
Columbia, MO
65201
Lodging
Holiday Inn Express
1402 Cinnamon Hill Lane
Columbia, MO 65201
(just off Hwy 63 south of I-70 at Stadium exit)
Group name: Elderberry
Group dates: June 10, 11, 12
Group rate: $119
Must reserve rooms by May 10 to receive the group rate
Or call Bianca, M-F, 8am - 5pm at 573-442-8034