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SPRING!!!!!!
1ST
QUARTER
ISSUE
Midwest Aronia
2015
s-
S
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Winter greetings from a midwest Aronia field, a beautiful sight to
behold:
Fellow MAA members and Aronia Enthusiasts,
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season! We are already
6 weeks into 2015, and for me, thoughts have already begun to
turn toward spring. As winter winds down before a fruitful growing
season, your plants are dormant and I'd like to remind growers
that this is the ideal time to do some pruning. 2014 MAA conference attendees will recall Addie Kinghorn's session on pruning,
which is available as an audio refresher at http://
midwestaronia.org/2014-conference/
And speaking of the annual conference, our Events Committee
Chairs and their committee members have been hard at work putting together what is sure to be another great MAA conference.
Mark your calenders for March 19th-21st in Moline, Ill.
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There are many great sessions you will not want to miss, a 7 category Aronia recipe
contest (with samples, yum!), networking opportunities, the annual MAA business
meeting, and keynote speaker Dr. Terry Wahls, whose research focus is on therapeutics and healing through nutrition and lifestyle. For more information and to register
for the 2015 conference go to http://midwestaronia.org/
As mentioned above, new to this year's conference is an Aronia recipe contest. More
details in this newsletter...be sure to enter all your great Aronia recipes! Winners will
receive MAA swag prizes as well as our applause. In addition to naming recipe winners
at the conference, we will also be recognizing our slogan contest winners and awarding the Aronia Promoter of the Year. Nominees for Aronia Promoter are being accepted now, with criteria and nominations details further in this newsletter.
***MEETING NOTICE***
The Midwest Aronia Association 2015 annual business meeting will be held (Friday)
March 20th, 2015 at 3:45pm at Stoney Creek Inn, 101 18th St, Moline Illinois 61265.
All members are encouraged to attend, with one vote per membership on business
agenda items. Board of Directors elections will be held to determine your MAA 2015
Officers and Committee Chairs. Nominations are being sought for board elections;
and nominees will also be taken from the floor at the business meeting.
Lastly, I would like to remind members if you have not already done so, please be sure
to renew your MAA membership to continue to support the growing Aronia industry
with other like-minded Aronia enthusiasts. With renewal, you may have already noticed many website changes as our Technology Chair works toward a more userfriendly and usable website. If you have not seen the changes, I invite you back to the
redesigned website at
http://midwestaronia.org/
In closing, in these last weeks of winter calm (as opposed to spring's heralding of busy
field work for many of us,) I encourage you all to give some thought to your 2015
business plan...planting, maintenance, harvesting, storage, and marketing are important
things to give consideration to before you are in full swing of your growing season;
and planning now can get you ahead of the game and keep some stress away later!
Looking forward to seeing you all at the 2015 MAA Conference,
Melissa Ehrman Johnson
MAA President
Greetings from Chugwater, WY! My wife, Becky, and I, Scott Boersma, decided for various reasons to leave
South Dakota and move 620 miles, that is the shortest route I could find, South West to try a new area for me
and Aronia. Chugwater is a town of about 200 people and thirty miles from any other town, but it is right on
interstate 25, and in June has a chili cook off that draws 3500 people. Chugwater, draws its name from the
sound that buffalo made when the native Americans would run them off of the cliffs in the area. I can’t quite
imagine that, but there are numerous sights were this occurred. So for such a small town we have a rich history,
and I hope an Aronia farm will help create an exciting tomorrow. The move, starting a dairy herd, and caring for
three foster kids has occupied a lot of my time, but hopefully, planting will commence in the spring. One of the
advantages of being past conference chair is that I am on first name basis with many Aronia experts and some
have offered to help me understand my soil test results, and planning the field in general.
I recently went to a specialty crop workshop and met two berry growers that are within a couple hours of me
that are trying a few Aronia bushes. Their question to me was how can you sell it? I told them I had great luck in
SD at the farmers market when my wife would make Aronia muffins as samples and then sell fresh berries and
share her recipe. I know that is still small scale, but it is a start. I do want to share what one of the speakers said,
he likened farming without a soil test to driving with a blindfold on. Great advice whether you are about to plant
like me or have been growing for years.
This year for the MAA I have been acting as the vice president, and I am excited about conference especially
since I get to be a “normal” attendee this year. The events committee has been very busy, and they already have
a great conference nearly put together. My term is expiring at conference so there is a need for people to run
for office to fill my shoes. Being a board member has been a great experience and a chance for me to learn and
grow in many areas, not always about Aronia, but always useful skills. I wish you all a great spring and I look
forward to all of you sharing your Aronia dishes!
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Iowa 4H Youth Interest in Aronia Recipe Development Continues
submitted by Melissa Johnson
Cass County (Southwest Iowa) Fair 2014 4H exhibitors have again this year taken an interest in using Aronia in their Best of Iowa cooking
competition recipes. (You may remember from last year's fall newsletter, Melissa Johnson's daughter Aly's runner-up recipe for “Farmgirl
Dump Cake.”) This year's competition was held July 28th in Atlantic, Iowa, with 20 area youth (from 4th grade through 12th grade) competing.
The contest includes submitting a recipe, preparing that recipe in front of judges and an audience, serving the finished product to the judge
while conferencing, and then serving the audience members. It is a pleasure to announce that two of the winning recipes contained Aronia
berries. 1st place in the junior division went to Melissa Johnson's daughter Aly for her original recipe “Berrylicious Ice Box Cake.” Aly is a 6th
grader. She enjoys creating new recipes, using Aronia in recipes, and introducing people to the berry she helps grow. She not only helps with
harvest, but also with sales at farmer's markets and creating awareness by helping out at booths and events promoting Aronia. 2nd place in
the junior division went to Caroline Pellet for her original recipe “Caroline's After School Aronia Berry Dip.” Caroline is a 5th grader whose
mom planted 3 bushes in 2010 because she had heard how healthy they were, and they are now having fun creating yummy ways to consume the berries. Way to go, girls; your experimentation with Aronia in recipes not only helps drive awareness (all the judges and audience
were talking about this “aronia-thing!”) and exudes your creativity, but also helps promote healthy berry consumption among the youngest
generation.
Recipes:
Berrylicious Ice Box Cake
(created in the tradition of the 1940's ice box cakes)
1 prepared angel food cake, crumbled
1 qt or 1 lb strawberries (reserve 1 for garnish)
2T lemon juice
½C powdered sugar
1C blueberries (reserve 10 for garnish)
½C to 1C (depending on your tastes) of Aronia berries (reserve 5 for garnish)
1C raspberries (reserve 5 for garnish)
1 8oz container of whipped topping
2 6oz containers rasberry yogurt
Crumble angel food cake; set aside.
Reserve fruit for garnish; set aside. Hull strawberries and coarsely chop with a food chopper. Mix lemon juice, strawberries, and powdered
sugar in a bowl. Gently add blueberries, aronia berries, and raspberries.
Combine 2 C of whipped topping and yogurt; set aside. Fill a decorator with remaining whipped topping.
To assemble ice box cake: (this makes a beautiful presentation when assembled in a clear trifle dish) Place 1/3 of angel food crumbles into
bottom of dish. Top with 1/3 of berry mixture and then 1/3 of yogurt mixture, spreading evenly. Repeat layers 2 more times. Pipe remaining
topping in an eye-pleasing manner. Create a strawberry fan (using a wire egg slicer) and garnish with strawberry fan, blueberries, aronia berries, and raspberries. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or more before serving.
Caroline's After School Aronia Berry Dip
6 oz cream cheese
6 oz silken tofu
½C honey
1C oat granola, divided
½C Aronia berries
pretzels (for dipping)
Chop ½C granola using food processor. Set aside. Place cream cheese, tofu, and honey in food processor and blend until smooth. Add the
½C chopped granola and bled to combine. Add aronia berries and blend to combine. Transfer to serving dish. Chop remaining granola and
sprinkle on dip. Serve with assorted dippers (pretzels) or spread on bagels or toast.
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MID-NOVEMBER ARONIA PLANTING? YOU BET!
Mildred L. Culp
Coldbrook Farm Inc.
Corn-and-bean farmer Duane Tammen of Danforth, Illinois, wanted to diversify his farm operation. When he mentioned his eightacre patch to James Theuri, extension educator, local food systems and small farms, University of Illinois Extension, Theuri suggested aronia.
“Aronia is relatively less demanding to produce than other berries,” Theuri says, “and fits in with the growing demand for healthier
foods and locally produced commodities.” He referred Tammen to an aronia grower, John Pilcher of Coldbrook Farm in nearby Crete,
who’d recently planted aronia and wanted to help growers start up in the area.
Tammen needed to harvest his beans before he could till the soil and with his son, Tim, mark the rows. Fall rains kept the field wet.
Pilcher recruited a crew of workers to plant one Saturday, but the rain came. None of the people could come on the following Saturday.
“I wasn’t sure how we’d pull it off,” Pilcher says. “These workers grew up on farms in Mexico, are skilled at what they do and are
extremely hard workers. They constantly look for new work and find it.” Two days before the second try, he recruited a new crew and
drove for the second time to Danforth to show the project to the lead worker.
Now Pilcher could worry about the cold. The temperature was to drop to 32 degrees.
On November 15, three years after the initial conversations about aronia and many subsequent calls and emails about how to get
started, the three men gathered with a crew of four workers and would-be-grower onlookers to plant 4,100 slips and plugs. The soil medium
had frozen for each plant in the flats. That meant breaking down 82 flats containing 50 plants each. Ground corn stover will serve as mulch
on the 20 rows.
Tammen had the machinery ready, with son Tim and grandson Tyler motivated to plant the aronia. Pilcher, the only one
there who’d ever done it, supervised, speaking Spanish with the workers. A would-be grower watched for a while in the morning, followed
by another in the afternoon. By 3:00 p.m. the work ended, early enough to leave some sunlight for the drive home.
“I think it went pretty smooth,” Tammen says, “considering the circumstances – time of year, condition of the soil and the weather
mostly. The weather wasn’t ideal. We should have gotten them in sooner this fall. I was glad about the way it went.
“It will give me something to do while Tim takes over the grain farm,” Tammen remarks. In about four years, Tammen’s aronia
berries should be individually quick-frozen for Pilcher to sell in the ingredient market.
(Dr. Mildred Culp is communications director at Coldbrook Farm, Inc., in Crete, Illinois. She may be reached at
culp@workwise.net. Copyrigjavascript: void(0)ht 2014 Coldbrook Farm, Inc.)
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Hello MAA Members!
The Midwest Aronia Association will be hosting an Aronia Recipe “Cook-Off” this year at the MAA Annual Conference. The contest will be
held on Thursday, March 19 from Noon to 1 P.M. in the Conference Center Breakfast Area.
This is your chance to showcase those Aronia recipes you have been perfecting, with an opportunity to win prizes and even a little recognition!
Guidelines for the contest:
1. You need NOT be a member of MAA ito enter, so talk to youyr family members amd friends for their Aronia ideas!.
2. Recipes must contain Aronia as one of the ingredients.
3. The following categories will be judged by a panel for best submission:
* Appetizers/Salads/Sides
* Sauces/Syrups/Jams & Jellies
* Breakfast/Breads
* Meats/Soups/Main Dishes
* Desserts/ Snacks
* Beverages
* Miscellaneous
4. Prizes will be awarded to the top scorers in each category. A ‘People's Choice’ award will also be given so be sure to bring plenty for tasting! All recipes will be published and winners recognized in an upcoming cookbook featuring Aronia berries.
5. There is no limit to the number of entries per person.
6. To enter, please email the following information by March 1, 2015 to: echalfin38@gmail.com
-Member’s name
-Member’s email address
-Name of Recipe(s)
-Category you would like the recipe(s) to be judged in
-Please indicate if you would require electricity. If necessary, a microwave may be provided.
7. Please bring a printed copy of the recipe to accompany your entry. If you need electricity to keep your recipe warm, you will need to
bring a hot plate or crock pot.
Please note that, even if you are unable to participate in the cook-off,anyone may submit recipes to contribute towards the Aronia cookbook
which we will be working on in the coming months. You are welcome to bring recipes to the conference, or email them to: echalfin38@gmail.com.
Let’s get cooking and spread the excitement of Aronia berries!
Elaine Chalfin
Roberta Barham
Aronia Recipe Cook-Off Committee
Why Eat Purple?
The aroniaberry is a dark purple fruit native to North America. Original consumers were
Native Americans who utilized the berry as a key component to their daily health needs.
Generations later, the aroniaberry all but disappeared from North America only to resurface
in Eastern Europe where its popularity grew. Today, the aroniaberry is taking center stage
among superfruits, making its way into the diets of those who seek alternative health choices
and fresh foods that contain multiple benefits for our bodies.
Research has shown that aroniaberries contain rich amounts of vitamins and anti-oxidants
like flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins. They also contain beneficial nutrients such as
quercitin, quinic acid, minerals and vitamins. These nutrients are believed to include compounds that can help prevent the formation of free radicals. Free radicals love to damage
our cells and cellular structure leading to illness and disease; so getting rid of them is a good
thing! Science is just now beginning to quantify the vast power of this superberry and unlock what the Native Americans discovered hundreds of years ago.
Midwest Aronia Association
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Nominees Sought for 2014 MAA Aronia Promoter of the Year Award
Would you like to nominate someone to be honored for their achievement(s) in the Aronia
industry? The MAA is now accepting nominations for the 2014 award. Criteria is as follows:
The Aronia Promoter of the Year Award is a way to recognize dedicated efforts and honor
achievements and progress made in the aronia industry. The award is open to both MAA
members and non-members, businesses, farms, families, and individuals. Necessary criteria for
nominees includes, but is not limited to, exhibiting great enthusiasm for the Aronia industry,
promoting the Aronia industry (not just for their own profit/business but for the benefit of
the industry itself,) and displaying the willingness to share their knowledge to educate others
about Aronia.
A single award will be presented once a year at the annual conference. If there are no satisfactory nominees for that year, no award will be given.
You will recall that 4-Her Stacey Rosener won the 2012 award for her efforts in using Aroniathemed recipes in her 4-H entries, and MAA member Jeff Stewart was the 2013 recipient for
his accomplishments in bringing local and regional media attention to Aronia in South Dakota;
who will be the winner of the 2014 award?
Please submit your nomination paragraph or letter describing your nominee's efforts to Melissa Johnson FelixGirrl@yahoo.com by March 1 , 2015, which will be reviewed by the
Award Committee. The designated winner will be announced at the 2015 MAA Conference!
ATTENTION!
This email is a follow-up to the prior emails you may have received announcing the 2015 MAA Conference.
Three notices:
1. The cost (per person) has changed from $160 to $190 due to the Conference Center adjusted meal costs.
2. The Conference registration amount is PER PERSON, not per membership – as more than one person can be registered per membership
(though only one vote for a business group is allowed).
3. Recipe Cook-Off Reminder – please consider bringing a favorite Aronia recipe to be judged for a prize AND eventual publication in a
Recipe Book. The attached file contains the guidelines and contact information regarding this Cook-Off! Hope to see you there! Please
submit recipes and recipe category (based on details of the attached file) to Elaine Chalfin; echalfin38@gmail.com
If you have questions about the Conference and rates, please contact Bob Pertzborn; bobsaronia@gmail.com or Tammy Melcher; tammy@hhwildplums.com
Sincerely,
Roberta Barham
MAA Public Relations Chairperson
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MAA 2015 Board of Directors
Midwest Aronia Association
The Midwest Aronia Association NEEDS YOU! Each year, at the annual business meeting, officer elections are held. Elected Board Members serve a 3 year term. Board Member roles
are President,Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and designated Committee Chairs. Board
members are elected At Large by the membership, and then the newly elected Board determines (based on skills, experiences, and desires) who will serve in each role for the year. Responsibilities include monthly Board meetings (done via conference call), assisting with annual
event planning and goals of the Association, and a hands-on role in the forward progression
of the Aronia industry. Motivation and desire to drive this industry ahead are 2 of the key
components to being a successful MAA Board member and individuals are being sought for
nomination for 2015 elections. If you (or a member you know) have interest in serving your
Association as we grow this industry together, or if you have questions about serving as an
MAA Board Member, please email Melissa Johnson FelixGirrl@yahoo.com
MAA 2015 Board of Directors
The Midwest Aronia Association NEEDS YOU! Each year, at the annual business meeting,
officer elections are held. Elected Board Members serve a 3 year term. Board Member
roles are President,Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and designated Committee
Chairs. Board members are elected At Large by the membership, and then the newly
elected Board determines (based on skills, experiences, and desires) who will serve in
each role for the year. Responsibilities include monthly Board meetings (done via conference call), assisting with annual event planning and goals of the Association, and a handson role in the forward progression of the Aronia industry. Motivation and desire to drive
this industry ahead are 2 of the key components to being a successful MAA Board member and individuals are being sought for nomination for 2015 elections. If you (or a member you know) have interest in serving your Association as we grow this industry together, or if you have questions about serving as an MAA Board Member, please email Melissa
Johnson FelixGirrl@yahoo.com
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