September 2016 Meeting: Aronia Berries, a Visit to Barham Gardens

Roberta Barham talks about growing aronia berries

For our September meeting we visited Barham Gardens run by Roberta and Kim Barham, commercial growers of Aronia berries.

Roberta led us on a tour of their Aronia bushes and talked about their experiences growing the berries. We then met inside the fascinating energy efficient cordwood house they are building where we learned more about Aronias, got a chance to sample some recipes made with Aronias, and could even purchase some berries to take home.

Outside the cordwood and masonry house

After moving to the Driftless Region of rural Wisconsin in 2002, Kim and Roberta Barham joined a sustainably grown professional cut flower LLC which marketed flowers to Madison, Milwaukee and surrounding communities.  Additionally, in 2004, they began construction on their energy efficient, alternative building materials cordwood masonry house.  During this period, they commuted to Madison, WI for full time work as well.

In 2008, the Barhams became interested in Aronia after tasting a commercial juice blend with an unusual, pleasant flavor. The discovery of Aronia in the contents caught their attention. Shortly thereafter, they heard through Dale Secher of Carandale Farms (Oregon, WI) of an opportunity to grow Aronia. Already curious, they attended the Carandale Field Day which introduced attendees to Aronia as a healthy, lesser-known fruit adaptable to varied growing conditions as well as pest resistant characteristics.

Inside the cordwood house Roberta talks to our group

Besides the convincing arguments presented at the Field Day, Aronia held some potential as a cut flower to be marketed through their LLC.  The Barhans took the plunge, and put 1,000 plants in the ground in 2009.  They joined the newly-formed Midwest Aronia Association in 2010.  Their first harvest (2012) led them to begin searching for local markets interested in using Aronia.  They approached prestigious Madison restaurants which promote a local produce focus by offering free samples for recipe development.  Additionally, they familiarized our co-workers with the berry’s benefits, offered pick-your-own opportunities and approached other local businesses where Aronia could augment their products. 

Tasting aronia recipes

Public awareness and consumer acceptance of this little-known native berry needs to increase for commercial viability.  Roberta, as Public Relations Director for the Midwest Aronia Association in 2014 and 2015 has worked to educate American consumers on the healthy, tasteful properties of this exciting fruit.  She developed a trifold brochure incorporating basic recipes for Aronia available to MAA members and the public for their personal and professional use as well as a Power Point Presentation to “spread the word” at Farmers’ Markets, Field Days, events, etc.  These items are available for MAA members to download at the Midwest Aronia Association website. There is also a link for Recipe Book purchase there.

Roberta became President of the Midwest Aronia Association late 2015.  She encourages anyone wanting to grow or learn more about Aronia to become a member.  Signup information is on the website.