Farm Services & Grower Support
The Heartland American Elderberry Collaborative connects growers with planting stock, cultivar recommendations, and practical guidance for establishing successful elderberry orchards. Whether you're planting a small trial plot or developing a larger commercial planting, we can help connect you with rooted plants, traditional hardwood cuttings, 2-foot cuttings, and specialty cultivars through our network of growers and partners.
Plants, Cuttings & Orchard Planning
For new orchards, we generally recommend planting at approximately 14 feet between rows and 4 feet between plants, with at least two compatible cultivars to support pollination and production. At this spacing, a one-acre planting typically contains approximately 900 elderberry plants.
Our goal is to help growers start with the right plants, the right layout, and the right resources for long-term success.
Ready to Start Your Elderberry Project?
Whether you're evaluating a potential planting site, sourcing plants, planning irrigation, or looking for equipment and labor resources, we're here to help. Connect with the Heartland American Elderberry Collaborative to discuss your goals and explore the next steps for your orchard.
Farm Services
Whether you're planting your first elderberry shrubs or expanding an existing orchard, our grower network can help you move from planning to planting with confidence. Explore the services below to learn how we can support site selection, orchard establishment, and long-term success.
Evaluate your land before planting. Site evaluations help identify opportunities and considerations for successful long-term elderberry production
Understand your soil before planting. Soil sampling and review help identify nutrient levels, pH considerations, and potential limitations that may affect elderberry establishment and long-term productivity.
Prepare your site for successful orchard establishment. Field preparation planning may include vegetation management, row layout, access considerations, and recommendations before planting begins.
Need help bringing your planting to life? We can connect growers with equipment operators, planting crews, and other resources needed to establish an elderberry orchard.
Develop an irrigation strategy that supports healthy establishment and long-term orchard performance. Planning may include water source evaluation, system recommendations, and layout considerations.
Support the transition from harvest to market-ready products. Services may include cold storage referrals, berry processing and juicing resources, white-label production partners, and guidance for navigating production requirements.