Elderberries offer farmers an opportunity to diversify both the landscape and their farm offerings. At this interactive workshop, with a focus on food safety best practices, you’ll learn about harvesting, post-harvest handling, and processing elderberries on a small scale; and the types of equipment you can use for these processes. Experts in food safety from the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology will discuss cleaning and sanitation, harvest hygiene, animal intrusion monitoring, systems for washing and destemming elderberries, elderberry drying protocols, and more.

Who should attend:

• Small-scale elderberry growers and value-added processors, or those who are considering starting.
• Small-mid scale fruit growers interested in familiarizing themselves with basic food safety practices and value-added product processes.

This wokshop is limited to 20 participants. If you are interested in attending and are in a different role (e.g., technical assistance or farmer service provider), please do not register and instead email: akbaddorf@ucanr.edu

Participants will learn:

• Methods and food safety best practices for harvesting, handling, drying, and processing elderberries
• Equipment that can be used for these processes
• How to make elderberry jam 

Where: Davis, CA 95616 (exact location to be shared with registrants)

Registration: https://elderberry-workshop-2024.eventbrite.com

Cost: There is no charge for the workshop, but parking is $16.

Lunch will be provided, along with light snacks and water. Long pants and close-toed shoes are required. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.) is strongly recommended, since a portion ofthe day will be spent outside.

Contact: Alicia Baddorf at akbaddorf@ucanr.edu for more information

Visit our Elderberry website to learn more about producing blue elderberries in hedgerows.