Preregistration required. A program geared toward adults.
This will be a live, virtual class. This class will take place with Zoom meeting platform. Your link to attend the meeting will be sent in a follow up email which will be sent immediately after registration. You do not need the Zoom application to participate. If you preregistered and do not receive the Zoom information by email by 12 pm on May 3, please contact our front desk staff at (513) 831-1711 to request that the information be resent to you.
Humans have used elder for thousands of years–elderberries have been found in Egyptian tombs, folk tales point to centuries of use in Europe, and the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates called elder the “medicine chest of the people,” believing he could heal any part of the body with the plant.
Modern scientific methods have revealed elder’s unique combination of antioxidants including antiviral compounds. Not only are elderberries a “superfruit,” but our native American elder (Sambucus canadensis) is small enough to grow in a suburban yard, and it benefits pollinators and birds.
In this virtual class, we’ll draw upon natural history of this native shrub as we look for advice on how to propagate, grow, and prune elder bushes, contending with birds while you wait for your elderberries to ripen, and fruit harvesting. We’ll touch on a range of culinary uses for the flowers (fresh, dried, frozen) and fruits (fresh, juiced, dried, or frozen).
About the Instructor: A 25-year veteran of Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC), Jason Neumann currently serves as Public Programs Manager, crafting experiences that immerse visitors in nature and leading interpretive trainings. He works towards translating CNC’s “plant native” initiative into visitor engagement opportunities and has a special interest in connecting people to nature through food.Growing up on a small farm sparked his deep interest in agriculture which was fanned to flame through a BS degree in Crop and Soil Sciences (Michigan State University), and later a graduate certificate in Agroforestry (University of Missouri – Columbia). Drawing from the perspective of a farmer–naturalist, he seeks to work with nature whether in his suburban backyard operation called Someday Farm, the CNC Edible Plants and Foraging Group (founded 2013), or managing the native perennial polyculture plots and native 2-acre pawpaw grove at Long Branch Farm & Trails. Jason is on the board of the Ohio Pawpaw Growers Association.
Members $10; nonmembers $10.
*Please note that cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. All programs continue, rain or shine.
Cincinnati Nature Center will run advertised programs and events in accordance with current guidelines outlined by the CDC and local health agencies. The status or format of programs may change based on COVID-19 best practices and conditions at the time of the program. In the event that Cincinnati Nature Center cancels a program, full refunds will be issued.