Approximately 80 people were in attendance at the aronia field event held Sunday, August 22, at the Carandal Farms in Oregon WI. The event was free and open to the public due to sponsorship by Hilltop Community Farm with funding through a SARE grant to promote agroforestry and sustainable fruit production. Attendees were welcome with aronia juices and baked goods before spending the day touring test fields, listening to specialists in weed control, plant nutrition, plant breeding initiatives, mechanical harvesting, the Midwest Aronia Association, nutritional research product development.... It was a wonderful day sharing ideas and practices!
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Aronia melanocarpa is currently being touted in research studies as a berry with a high concentration of flavonoids and antioxidants recognized for medicinal benefits. This bountiful shrub was known to Native Americans for healing qualities. Yet, Europeans settling in the New World found the astringent taste of aronia to be less than desirable so the berry was coined the “choke berry” and they attempted to eradicate it. Fortunately the health benefits were not over-looked by all and extensive planting occurred in Europe and Asia with the resultant product used primarily in juice form. As a result of recent research into the nutritional and healthful value of the berries, the aronia plant has regained respect and interest in North America and production sites are expanding.
