Registration Requirements: Preregistration required.

Recommended Audience: This program is designed for adults.

Program Description: Humans have used elder for thousands of years. Elderberries have been found in Egyptian tombs, folk tales point to centuries of use in Europe, and the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates called elder the “medicine chest of the people,” believing he could heal any part of the body with the plant.  

Modern scientific methods have revealed elder’s unique combination of antioxidants, including antiviral compounds. Not only are elderberries a “superfruit,” but our native American elder (Sambucus canadensis) is small enough to grow in a suburban yard, and it benefits pollinators and birds. 

During this in-the-field class, we’ll draw upon the natural history of this native shrub as we look for advice on how to propagate, grow, and prune elder bushes, contend with birds while you wait for your elderberries to ripen, and harvest fruit. We’ll touch on a range of culinary uses for the flowers (fresh, dried, frozen) and fruits (fresh, juiced, dried, or frozen) and provide a few samples. This class includes a start for a new elderberry bush.

About the Instructor: A 25+ year veteran of Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC), Jason Neumann currently serves as public programs manager, crafting experiences that immerse visitors in nature and leading interpretive trainings. He works towards translating CNC’s “plant native” initiative into visitor engagement opportunities and has a special interest in connecting people to nature through food. Growing up on a small farm sparked his deep interest in agriculture, which was fanned to flame through a BS degree in Crop and Soil Sciences (Michigan State University), and later a graduate certificate in Agroforestry (University of Missouri – Columbia). Drawing from the perspective of a farmer/naturalist, he seeks to work with nature, whether in his suburban backyard operation called Someday Farm, the CNC Edible Plants and Foraging Group (founded in 2013), or managing the native perennial polyculture plots and native 2-acre pawpaw grove at Long Branch Farm & Trails. Jason is on the board of the Ohio Pawpaw Growers Association. 

What to Expect: Trails/areas used during this program are rated as level terrain for a planned distance of less than half a mile at a moderate pace.

• Restrooms are available at the start and end of the program. Restrooms are not available on the trails.
• This program is entirely outdoors.
• Program runs rain or shine.

What to Wear: Dress for the weather and to be outdoors the entire time.

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location. (6926 Gaynor Rd, Goshen, OH 45122)   

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.