Registration Requirements: Preregistration required. 

Recommended Audience: This is an adult class offering exclusive for ages 21+. 

Program Description: Whether you’re a foodie, forager, or native gardener, you’ll savor this entire wild blackberry liqueur-making experience. While the French have crafted Crème de Mûre and the English have enjoyed blackberry cordial for centuries, we’ll celebrate our very own native wild blackberry as we take you through all the steps of capturing a taste of the wild in a jar. 

You’ll leave this class with:  

• Your own jar of wild blackberry liqueur (makes about two cups when finished). You’ll add sugar at home. All told, the process requires two months of aging—if you can wait that long.  
• A taste of finished aged wild blackberry liqueur   
• An understanding of the role blackberry plants play in nature and how to manage them on your property  
• A sampling of conservation-inspired foraged charcuterie 
• A sense of community 

What to Expect: We will be headed out into our tended but wild blackberry fields (which entails about a ¼-mile, off trail walk from the barn). Blackberry canes are very thorny—we joke that the “blood cost” associated with picking wild blackberries flavors your blackberry liqueur. With care, you’ll emerge unscathed. Loaner harvesting baskets (the sort that attach to your waist to allow you to pick with both hands) will be available.  

How long does the blackberry liqueur need to sit? For the most complex flavor, let your blackberry liqueur sit for two months, ideally shaking the jar periodically. 

How to Dress: As we’re harvesting from thorny wild blackberry canes, long pants, boots, and even a sturdy long-sleeved shirt are recommended. Pro-tip: consider wearing a clean glove on your non-dominant hand (to hold blackberry canes), picking with your dominant hand. Treating your body/clothing for chiggers is recommended. 

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm and Trails location.  Due to bridge damage, the main entrance is temporarily closed. For this program only – we’ll have you come in our alternate entrance:

• Give yourself extra time.
• Set your GPS for 1600 Fay Road (it’s on top of a hill).
• The entry has some trees around it.
• Look for farm gates with a small Cincinnati Nature Center sign on the gates.
• Note that this is a long, single lane gravel driveway with a couple places to pull to the side to allow cars to pass.
• Do not pull off the driveway (we want to be sure you don’t get stuck in the field).
• Please park in the main Creekside Parking lot.
• With the site being closed, there shouldn’t be any traffic coming the other way but do drive slowly anyways, especially on the curves.
• Long Branch Farm and Trails is officially closed until further notice – other than this program session, please do not visit the site on your own.

Cost: Program fees include daily admission. 

Check your email for registration information regarding this transaction. SAVE A TREE, please retain your order number or save an electronic copy of the email acknowledgement as a receipt. You may be asked for your order number from your transaction to gain entry at the gate/to attend your program. Visitor Services associates can also verify your etickets from the order number or by name.

Please note that our program and cancellation policies vary. By completing registration for this program, you agree to the following general program policies.