Registration Requirements: Preregistration required. 

Recommended Audience: This program is designed for adults.

Program Description: Humans have used elder for thousands of years. Modern scientific methods have revealed elder’s unique combination of antioxidants and reputed cold-fighting properties. Working in community and taking cues from nature, you’ll learn by doing as you help harvest ripe elderberries from our farmed plots, then head back to the barn to destem, wash, and process the berries.

From start to finish, we’ll take you through the process of making elderberry syrup. While it simmers (approximately 30 minutes), we’ll process more elderberries, answer questions about growing native elder bushes in your yard, discuss uses for finished elderberry syrup, explore ideas for reusing “spent” elderberries, and try some samples. We’ll send you home, inspired, with some finished elderberry syrup.

What to expect:

• This class takes place outside and/or in a non-air conditioned barn.
• We'll do some walking (not more than 1/4 mile) on level terrain.
• Dress for the weather; this program takes place outdoors.

What to bring:

• Your own jar with lid (if you can—we have extras).
• If you have any canning jars and would be willing to donate them, we’ll use them for a variety of projects. We’re looking for these sizes: 4 oz, and narrow mouth 8 oz (1/2 pint), and 16 oz (1 pint) as well as rings for the lids. Please bring them along when you come.

Ingredients: elderberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ground ginger, and honey.

Accessibility: We do our best to make our programs accessible to everyone when possible. If you have an accessibility question or need, please feel free to reach out to our front desk staff at (513) 831-1711

Where to Meet: This program meets at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location (6926 Gaynor Rd, Goshen, OH 45122).

Cost: Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission).

By registering below, you agree to the following:

Pet Policy for Programs: For the comfort and safety of all guests, no pets are allowed at programs or events. Service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome. Therapy animals, whose function is to provide comfort or emotional support, do not qualify as service animals. For more information about pets on our grounds, please see our pet policies on our website.

Cancellation Policy: 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. In the event that Cincinnati Nature Center cancels a program, full refunds will be issued.

Program Policy: Cincinnati Nature Center may update the status or format of programs based on conditions at the time of the program.

Media Release: All participants (18 and older) associated with this transaction grant permission to Cincinnati Nature Center to utilize images, likenesses, actions, or statements in any form taken during a visit to the Nature Center, Nature Center sponsored event, or virtual presentation for the purpose of promoting the Nature Center in perpetuity.

Important Information for All Program Registrants: Please retain your order number or save an electronic copy of the email acknowledgement as a receipt. You may be asked for your order number from your transaction to gain entry at the gate/to attend your program.