On July 1, over 100 people gathered on a farm just outside of Stillwater, Minnesota to learn and connect over a little known but highly promising cold-hardy fruit at the first annual Upper Midwest Honeyberry Academy. The fruit in question are called honeyberries, also known as haskap.

Honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea), a member of the honeysuckle family, are a highly nutritious, dark purple berry with a flavor sometimes described as a cross between a blueberry and raspberry. They are extremely cold hardy, growing in USDA zones 2-6 with blossoms hardy down to ~20F and have very little pest and disease pressure. The berries mature very early, between early June to early July, and are excellent for fresh eating as well as processing into wine, jam, and juice. They lend a beautiful purple color to products like ice cream, smoothies, yogurt, and beverages.

The berry was introduced into the United States in the mid-1990s from Japan and Russia and has gained a significant foothold in Canada with over 3000 acres of commercial production. The University of Saskatchewan has been instrumental in its adoption there.

The Upper Midwest Honeyberry Academy, organized by UW-Madison Extension and University of Minnesota Extension, sought to help bring attention to this emerging berry in the Upper Midwest. Hosted by George Terwey, owner of Haskap Minnesota, a 2-acre honeyberry farm, the Academy brought together current and aspiring growers as well as agricultural professionals for a full day of presentations, demonstrations and networking.

A highlight for many attendees was touring George’s orchard, getting to watch George’s harvest crew, and tasting ripe berries straight off the plants – once people try their first berry, they’re pretty much hooked.

“George’s farm was the perfect setting for this event. Watching the harvest was invaluable for growers. We were very fortunate that the timing worked out,” said Steffen Mirsky, Emerging Crops Program Outreach Coordinator at UW-Madison Extension and co-organizer of the Academy.

Featured speakers at the event included Dr. Bob Bors, the foremost honeyberry expert in North America and head of the University of Saskatchewan haskap breeding program for 25 years until his retirement last year.

“Dr. Bors was a huge draw for attendees of the Academy.” said Mirsky. “He’s definitely a celebrity in this community, having developed many of the varieties commercially grown throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.”

Other highlights of the event included product tastings, including honeyberry ice cream and wine, a farmer panel, and a presentation by researcher Dr. Zach Miller, haskap expert from Montana State University.

“We had an all-star lineup at the event and a huge amount of expertise. Many of the pioneering honeyberry growers in the Upper Midwest were there to share their knowledge. It’s a very collaborative community,” said Josie Dillon, Fruit Outreach Specialist for UW Extension and member of the planning committee.

People left with lots of newfound knowledge, connections and tremendous energy and excitement over the future of this up-and-coming crop – as well as a jar of George’s homemade honeyberry jam.

“We’re so excited about the future of honeyberries. It has the potential to be the next big fruit crop in the Upper Midwest,” said Mirsky.

This article was posted in Berries, Other News and Resources and tagged Honeyberries, Josie Dillon, Steffen Mirsky.