Registration Requirements: Preregistration required.  

Intended Audience: This Aronia berry Harvest Experience is open to all levels—beginners welcome—but veteran foragers will also find value in the experience.  

Interested youth ages 10 and up may attend with an adult, however Aronia wine will only be available to adults 21+ years of age.  

Program Description: During this harvest and tasting experience, we’ll introduce you to the merits and uses of Aronia berry and share tips on how to enjoy this native, healthful fruit that’s a powerhouse of antioxidants, outpacing blueberries and elderberries.

In the course of this hands-on harvest experience, you’ll:

• Learn while doing as you help us bring in the harvest
• Pick up tips growing and using Aronia berry
• Learn about the philosophy and goals of our native perennial polyculture plots -- bring your questions related to foraging and gardening with native edible plants
• Help make Aronia berry jelly from scratch from the berries we just harvested
• Head home with your own 4 ounce jar
• Enjoy some “conservation in a glass” Aronia wine while you sample from our selection of charcuterie from our foraged and farmed native plant program

What’s Aronia berry?: You might have seen Aronia berry (Aronia melanocarpaI) in landscaping. It’s a native edible shrub that’s sometimes known by the poorly chosen name “black chokeberry.” Aronia berry won’t make you choke but it does have a tart, dry taste. 

What to Expect: This harvest experience runs rain or shine -- dress for weather conditions. With no thorns and mown paths, Aronia berry is a delight to pick. The bushes are tall enough that you could stand while you pick. We’ll spend an hour or less picking berries. We’ll be walking about 1000 feet on mown but uneven surfaces. 

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm and Trails location.  Due to bridge construction, the main entrance is temporarily closed.

Supply Request: If you have any canning jars (pictured here) and would be willing to donate them, we’ll use them for a variety of projects. We’re looking for these sizes: 4 oz, and narrow mouth 8 oz (1/2 pint), 16 oz (1 pint), and 1/2 gallon Mason jars as well as rings for the lids. Please bring them along when you come.

PLEASE NOTE THE TEMPORARY ENTRANCE: 1600 Fay Road.

• Coordinates to the temporary Fay Road entrance from Google Maps: 39°14'00.2"N 84°11'15.1"W.
• Look for a small red gatehouse at this entrance.
• The existing one-lane maintenance road has been re-graveled and vehicular bump outs have been added to allow for two-way traffic. 

Cost: Ticket 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.