Announcing Our 2012 Field Days in Connecticut and Maine!
Aronia: A New Fruit Crop for the Northeast
To register, email names of attendees to:
Be sure to tell us which field day (CT, ME) you are registering for!
Are you looking for a new crop? Our field days will help you learn how to grow and market aronia berries. These events are free and open to the public.
Aronia berries are the fruits of black chokeberry (Aroniamelanocarpa), a native plant. Aroniafruits contain a very high level of antioxidants, making this crop a candidate for processing into nutraceutical and other health products. In addition, aroniafruits can be processed into jams, jellies and other value-added foods.
Connecticut Field Day: Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012Location: Storrs, Connecticut
1:30 – 2:00Register; Tour the planting of Aronia
2:00 – 2:15Introduction
Drs. Mark Brand and Lois Berg Stack
2:15 – 3:15Growing Aronia … and Growing an Industry
Dr. Andrew Ristvey, University of Maryland
3:15 – 3:30Selling Aronia: Connecting With a Processor
Allyn Brown, Maple Lane Farms, Preston CT
3:30 - 3:45Break
3:45 – 5:00AroniaGermplasm: Can We Build a Better Aronia Plant?
Dr. Mark Brand, University of Connecticut / Maine Field Day: Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012
Location: Monmouth, Maine
1:30 – 2:00Register; Tour the small fruit plantings
2:00 – 2:15Introduction
Drs. Mark Brand and Lois Berg Stack
2:15 – 3:15How to Grow Aronia and Other “Bush Fruits”
Dr. David Handley, University of Maine
3:15 – 3:45Is Aronia the Right Crop for You?
Dr. Lois Berg Stack, University of Maine
3:45 – 4:00Break
4:00 – 5:00AroniaGermplasm: Can We Build a Better
Aronia Plant?
Dr. Mark Brand, University of Connecticut
These field days are part of a Northeast-SARE project: “Aronia berries: a profitable nutraceutical crop for the Northeast.” Through this project, we’re also conducting research, and we’ve developed a website at which you can learn more about this plant, investigate other aspects of the project, and enter your contact information if you’d like to consult with us, ask questions, and receive announcements about future events. Visit the website at
These field days are sponsored by:
These field days are free, but preregistration is required.
To register, email names of attendees to:
Be sure to tell us which field day (CT, ME) you are registering for!
Driving Directions to the Connecticut Field Day, August 9, 2012
University of Connecticut’s Plant Science Research and Education Facility
(Research Farm & Hicks-Burr Nursery)
59 Agronomy Road, Storrs, CT 06268
Phone (860) 486-8519
FROM I-84:
Take exit 68 (Route 195); head south on Rt. 195, toward the UConn campus.
Travel 8.8 miles on Rt. 195, then turn left onto Agronomy Road. The farm is at the end of the road.
FROM Route 44:
From Rt. 44, turn south onto Rt. 195, towards the UConn campus.
On Rt. 195, travel 3.0 miles. Pass through the UConn campus, then turn left onto Agronomy Road.
The Farm is at the end of Agronomy Road.
FROM Willimantic and points East:
From the intersection of Rt. 195 Rt. 6, travel 5.3 miles north on Rt. 195. Turn right onto Agronomy Road.
The Farm is at the end of Agronomy Road.
Driving Directions to the Maine Field Day, August 16, 2012
University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm
52 US Route 202, Monmouth ME 04259-0179
Phone (207) 933-2100
FROM the South, traveling north on I-95:
Take exit 86 (Sabbatus). Travel about 2 miles on Rt. 9, then turn left onto Rt. 132.
Travel 4.5 miles on Rt. 132, then turn left onto Leeds Junction Road.
Travel about 2.8 miles, then turn right onto Rt. 202 and travel 1.3 miles to Highmoor Farm, on the right.
FROM the North, traveling south on I-95:
Take exit 109B in Augusta, onto Rt. 202.
Travel about 15 miles on Rt. 202; you’ll see Highmoor Farm on the left
Questions? Contact Dr. Lois Berg Stack: (207) 581-2949 or
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University of Maine. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to Karen Kemble, Esq., Director of Equal Opportunity, ADA Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, Rehabilitation Act Section 504 Coordinator, The University of Maine, 5754 North Stevens Hall, Room 101, Orono, ME 04469-5754, telephone (207) 581-1226, TTY (207) 581-9484.