Berry Patch

One of the joys of walking the farm is discovering how each season brings something new to harvest. Here you'll find a collection of berry-producing shrubs and canes that provide food for people, pollinators, and wildlife from early summer through fall.

Juneberry (Serviceberry)

Juneberries are among the first fruits of the season, often ripening in June before strawberries have finished. Native to Iowa, these small trees burst into delicate white blossoms in early spring before their leaves emerge. Their sweet, blueberry-like fruit has nourished Native peoples, pioneers, birds, and wildlife for centuries. Today they're enjoyed fresh, baked into pies, or made into jams.

Raspberry

Raspberries have been treasured for generations for their bright, sweet flavor and incredible versatility. Each berry is actually made up of dozens of tiny fruits called drupelets, all clustered together. Rich in vitamins and fiber, raspberries are just as popular with bees and butterflies during bloom as they are with people at harvest.

Elderberry

Elderberries have a remarkable history. For thousands of years they have been used in traditional foods and herbal remedies throughout Europe and North America. Their creamy white flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators before giving way to deep purple berry clusters in late summer. The berries are best enjoyed cooked, often in syrups, pies, wines, and jams, while providing an important late-season food source for birds.

Aronia Berry (Black Chokeberry)

Although native to Iowa, aronia has only recently become a celebrated crop. Once known simply as the black chokeberry, it has gained recognition as one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits grown in North America. Iowa now leads the nation in aronia production, making it a true homegrown superfruit. While the berries are quite tart when fresh, they are delicious in juices, wines, preserves, and baked goods.

Together, these berries remind us that a farm is more than fields and harvests. It is an ecosystem, where every blossom feeds a pollinator, every berry feeds someone—whether it's a family gathered around the table, a cedar waxwing preparing for migration, or a child tasting a sun-warmed berry picked straight from the branch.

We hope you'll enjoy discovering the beauty and abundance each season brings.