By Laurie Wayne
Those interested in safe harvesting, processing, preserving, and learning about California native elderberries are invited to attend 2 workshops held at the Cedar Pass Snow Park. The workshops are scheduled for Tuesday, August 27 from 5:30 until 8pm, and on Wednesday, August 28 from 10:00 until 1pm. The material in each workshop is different, and folks are welcome to attend one or both. The workshops are affordable at a cost of $5 each or $10 for both, and participants will sample and take home various elderberry products.
The University of California Sustainable Research and Education Program (SAREP), the UC Master Food Preserver Program, and the Modoc County Cooperative Extension will team up to present the the two hands-on workshops, which include harvesting, destemming, drying, and storage on Tuesday evening followed by preserve making, juicing, and using elderberries, as well as information about California Cottage Food laws and cultural or other uses for elderberries on Wednesday morning. There will be an emphasis on safe food handling throughout. The workshops are geared towards producers and those interested in creating value-added products using elderberries, but any interested adults are welcome,
and everyone is sure to take home new and useful information. Children 9 and up are also welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.
“Western Blue Elderberry grows naturally in California, and farmers and land stewards are including it in hedgerow plantings as a way of increasing biodiversity on agricultural landscapes,” said Alicia Baddorf, one of the SAREP instructors for the workshops. Adds her colleague Gwenael Engelskirchen, also of SAREP: “in addition to ecological benefits, growers can process or preserve elderberries to make
value-added products, such as jams, syrups, and cordials.” Other instructors include Sue Mosbacher, head of the statewide Master Food Preserver program, Laura Snell, and local experts.
Those driving a long way to the Snow Park and wanting to take both workshops are encouraged to stay overnight at one of the Cedar Pass campgrounds or one of the many lodgings available in Cedarville or Alturas. Because of the many hands-on activities, workshop space is limited, but there is still room in the class to sign up at https://ucanr.edu/modoc-elderberry. For questions or to make a reservation by phone, call the Farm Advisor’s office at (530) 233-6400 and talk to Laura Snell or Laurie Wayne.
All photos by Evett Kilmartin, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
