Siouxlanders gather to pick aronia berries from local farm
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)– While wild aronia berries can be found in wet areas in the eastern parts of North America, it takes a lot of time and energy to get them plump and ready for harvest here in Sioux City.
“It tastes kind of like a dry-tasting berry with low sugar. Has some sugar content, not as sweet as a strawberry or an actual blueberry,” said Lenni Leaverton, with Leaverton Aronia Farm, LLC.
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Since 2013, Lenni and her husband have grown 8 acres of Aronia berries after discovering them during a convention.
“When we put them in the ground, they were just as high as our index finger. And my husband and I went through and pulled all the grass through until they reach the size that you see that they are now, they require fertilization. And you have to monitor the soil and figure out what you’re short in so that you can grow a great a berry and make it the best that it can be,” said Leaverton.
What drew Lenni to these berries were the health benefits.
“You can get so much of this little berry and excited me in the first few years after growing them and having sales to hear people come back and say, Hey, this helped me see better. My vision was blurry. My husband had a little bit of this going on. He can see better or else. I was really stuffed up and now I can move better,” said Leaverton.
Aronia berries contain higher levels of antioxidants than elderberries, blueberries, and grapes according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Each year, Lenni invites folks to come out to their farm to pick aronias themselves or purchase a premade bag. Lenni says it’s a relaxing activity for families.
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“There are those that like to come out and just experience the countryside and the peacefulness in a day like today. What more could you want? Just to have peace and quiet and make memories with your family picking some berries and trying them out, “said Leaverton.
To set up a time to pick your own berries, CLICK HERE for more information.
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