Shared Values
The Heartland American Elderberry Collaborative is guided by a set of shared values that help shape our relationships, decisions, and vision for the future. These values reflect our commitment to building a thriving elderberry industry that benefits people, communities, the environment, and the regional economy.
Together, these principles provide a foundation for collaboration and help guide our efforts to support American elderberry throughout the Heartland.
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We believe trust is built through honesty, transparency, accountability, and respect.
As collaborators, we strive to engage with one another in ways that foster mutual understanding and constructive dialogue. Whether working with fellow growers, researchers, processors, educators, businesses, or consumers, we seek to build relationships grounded in professionalism, fairness, and integrity.
Integrity serves as the foundation upon which meaningful collaboration can flourish.
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We believe that lasting progress is achieved through cooperation and shared effort.
American elderberry presents opportunities that extend beyond individual farms and businesses. By bringing together diverse perspectives, experiences, and areas of expertise, we can strengthen our collective impact and create opportunities that would be difficult to achieve alone.
We value partnerships that connect people, organizations, and communities around a common purpose: advancing American elderberry throughout the Heartland.
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We believe agriculture should contribute positively to the long-term health of our natural resources.
As a native fruit crop, American elderberry has the potential to support regenerative agricultural systems that promote soil health, biodiversity, pollinator habitat, water quality, and ecological resilience.
We encourage practices that balance productivity with stewardship and help ensure that future generations inherit healthy and productive landscapes.
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We believe a strong elderberry industry can create lasting economic opportunities throughout the region.
By supporting farm diversification, value-added product development, research, education, market expansion, and collaborative infrastructure, we seek to strengthen both individual enterprises and the broader regional economy.
Sustainable growth means creating opportunities that benefit farms, businesses, rural communities, and consumers while building a resilient foundation for the future.
Our Commitment
These shared values guide how we work together and help define the culture of the Heartland American Elderberry Collaborative.
By choosing to interact with integrity, build community collaboration, cultivate regenerative practices, and create and foster sustainable growth, we can help unlock the full potential of American elderberry for farms, communities, and future generations throughout the Heartland.
