Developing Elderberries as a Specialty Crop for Herbal Supplements, Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Although the American elderberry species has not been cultivated, bred, or promoted as a medicinal plant like its European counterpart, university based variety trials indicate that the attributes of American elderberries complement, equal, or exceed the European cultivars currently in the market, suggesting a need for increased American elderberry production and product development. Purpose: To enhance international competitiveness of American agriculture by creating a domestic elderberry industry including manufacturing of elderberry-based nutraceuticals, herbal supplements and functional foods with superior attributes. To support increased economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in rural America by offering an easily grown alternative crop that is disease and pest resistant and commands a premium price in value-added products. To provide crop diversification to small and mid-sized farms seeking to retain and sustain farm communities by responding to a market driven by a growing consumer understanding of the link between diet and disease, aging baby boomer populations and soaring health care costs, coupled with advances in food science and nutrition.