Newsletter: Breeding Berries

August 2025

Breeding Berries
Perennial AF
Canopy Farm Management
Upcoming Events
Announcements
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Breeding Berries | Elderberry and Black Currants at the Savanna Institute

Elderberries and black currants are full of potential as perennial crops. Each of these berries grows well in the climates and soils of the eastern US, and there is existing market demand for each of them. Savanna Institute’s Tree Crop Improvement Program is working to overcome some of the key challenges - such as machine harvestability - that prevent these crops from being more widely grown. In our latest video, plant breeders Lily Hislop and Scott Brainard explain why we're breeding these berries at the Savanna Institute.

WATCH

U-PICK

Elderberry U-Pick For Science!

Join us in Spring Green, Wisconsin at our research farm to learn about elderberries, pick berries, give feedback, and leave with all the berries you’d like.

Saturday, August 16

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Learn more and register

Sunday, August 31

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

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An agroforestry podcast and blog by the Savanna Institute

Rusted Plowshare Farm Tour with Josh Payne

Farmer Josh Payne leads a tour of his farm in central Missouri and describes his management of beef cattle, sheep, and hogs in a rotational grazing silvopasture system with chestnuts and additional agroforestry crops.

LISTEN

From the Field: Why we use tree tubes and what to do with them (Tube tips)

If you have ever planted a tree, you probably have also installed some sort of tree protection. There are a variety of tree protection systems. Illinois Agroforestry Educator, MJ Oviatt, reviews some of the methods used on Savanna Institute's demonstration farms.

READ

Give your farm a second story

Canopy provides tree planting and management services to farmers and landowners in the Midwest. We establish perennial crops, timber plantings, conservation practices, and integrated agroforestry systems.

If you'd like to learn more about Canopy's tree planting and management services, please schedule a meeting with our Client Engagement Coordinator, Carolyn, HERE or give her a call at (217) 919-5379.

LEARN MORE

Free Elderberry U-Pick Event, For Science!

Saturday, August 16 @ 10am - 12pm

Valley Farm, Spring Green, WI

Learn more and register

WI Hazelnut Week

August 19 - 22

Southern Wisconsin

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Intro to Agroforestry + Silvopasture 101

Thursday, August 21 @ 10am - 12pm

Hillside Pastures, Spring Green, WI

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WI Agroforestry Demonstration Farm Network: Cassell Hollow Farm Tour

Tuesday, August 26 @ 3pm - 8pm

La Farge, WI

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Twilight Tailgate with the Trees: End of Summer Celebration

Thursday, August 28 @ 6pm - 8pm

Urbana, IL

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Free Elderberry U-Pick Event, For Science!

Sunday, August 31 @ 10am - 12pm

Valley Farm, Spring Green, WI

Learn more and register

Shade-grown, Grass-fed, Free-range: Marketing for Graziers

Agroforestry Coalition

Thursday, September 4th, 11am CT

Online

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Let’s Get Nuts! Monthly Farm Tour

Saturday, September 6 @ 10am - 12pm

Urbana, IL

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WI Agroforestry Demo Farm Network Monthly Meet Up

Tuesday, September 9 @ 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Online

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Grow Hazelnuts in Illinois! Harvest Demo & Market Opportunities

Monday, September 15 @ 1pm - 4pm

Fields Restored, Oregon, IL

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WI Agroforestry Demonstration Farm Tour

Saturday, September 20 @ 10am - 12:30pm

North Farm, Spring Green, WI

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Agroforestry Field Day: Silvopasture & Orchard Tour

Saturday, September 27

Arcadia, IN

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MORE EVENTS

Interested in Growing Hazelnuts?

Hybrid hazelnuts are a low-input perennial crop that thrive in the Midwest. The shrub matures relatively quickly for a nut crop and is a valuable source of food, oil, and livestock feed. If you’re making plans to plant hazelnuts, we recommend getting started by building your network of mentors and touring farms in your region. Check out these upcoming events to learn more.

Nominations for 2026 Deep Roots Award and New Shoots Award Are Open

The Savanna Institute is seeking nominations for the 2026 Deep Roots Award and for the 2026 New Shoots Award. These awards are our way to recognize the accomplishments of, and express our deep appreciation for, those who have worked to advance the science, practice, and adoption of agroforestry. The deadline for submissions is September 30th. Awards will be presented at the 2026 Perennial Farm Gathering in March 2026. Submit your nominations here!