American Farm :: Growers form aronia association to develop, promote crop.

Growers form aronia association to develop, promote crop

By SEAN CLOUGHERTY
Managing Editor

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Looking to capitalize on high demand, a group of Maryland and Delaware small acreage farmers agreed to form the Mid-Atlantic Aronia Growers Association.
About 25 farmers attended a meeting last week at the Maryland Department of Agriculture to discuss forming a grower’s association and cultural practices for growing the fruit.
When asked, nearly all agreed to create the group and become members.
“We’re looking for alternative crops, this being one of them,” said Bob Palmer who grows Certified Organic fruits and vegetables in Mardela Springs, Md., selling at farmer’s markets. “I want to try growing aronia. One of the ways in which it is grown fits into our operation very easily.”