Mission

The Heartland American Elderberry Collaborative (HAECo) exists to strengthen the American elderberry industry across the Kansas and Missouri Heartland through education, research engagement, market development, and regenerative agricultural leadership.

Growing Opportunity Through Collaboration

We believe regional collaboration creates opportunities that individual farms, businesses, researchers, and organizations cannot achieve alone. By bringing together stakeholders from across the elderberry value chain, we work to build a stronger and more resilient future for American elderberry.

Group of field researchers or farmers discussing crops in a soybean field with a barn in the background. Overlay icons and text highlight themes of collaboration, education, scientific engagement, market development, and regenerative agricultural leadership.

Our Vision

We envision a thriving Heartland region where American elderberry supports profitable farms, regenerative agricultural systems, vibrant rural communities, and increased consumer access to locally produced products.

Stakeholders from across the American elderberry value chain participate in a collaborative planning session, discussing regional opportunities, research, market development, and industry growth through partnership and shared leadership.

Our Mission Statement

"To advance the American elderberry industry in the Heartland through collaboration, education, scientific engagement, market development, and regenerative agricultural leadership.”

Vendor showcases locally produced elderberry products at a farmers market, highlighting direct-to-consumer sales, regional food systems, and growing market opportunities for American elderberry growers and value-added producers.

How We Fulfill Our Mission

HAECo focuses its efforts in four key areas.

  • Supporting growers and agricultural professionals through practical learning opportunities, educational resources, workshops, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

  • Connecting growers, researchers, and institutions to encourage science-based decision making and strengthen industry knowledge.

  • Promoting agricultural practices that support soil health, biodiversity, pollinator habitat, water stewardship, and long-term farm resilience.

  • Expanding opportunities for growers and value-added producers through consumer education, business development, and industry promotion.

Who We Serve

HAECo welcomes participation from growers, researchers, educators, value-added producers, agricultural businesses, conservation partners, and community organizations throughout the Heartland.

  • Growers

  • Beginning farmers

  • Researchers

  • Educators

  • Value-added producers

  • Agricultural businesses

  • Conservation organizations

  • Community partners

American elderberry production in the Heartland featuring cultivated elderberry fields, value-added products, and rural economic development, illustrating opportunities for farm diversification, ecological stewardship, and regional growth.

Root for Local Farms

At its core, HAECo is about people, partnerships, and place. By investing in collaboration today, we can help create lasting opportunities for farms, communities, and future generations.

An American elderberry producer interacts with a customer at a product display, demonstrating how value-added elderberry products create market opportunities, strengthen local economies, and connect consumers with regional agriculture.

Why American Elderberry Matters

American elderberry is a native fruit crop with the potential to support farm diversification, value-added product development, ecological stewardship, and regional economic growth. Through collaboration and shared learning, we can help unlock that potential throughout the Heartland.

Farmers, researchers, and industry partners gathered around a table to build a collaborative vision for strengthening local farms, communities, and the American elderberry industry.