Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Eldertide established an elderberry growers' network by providing training and support for selected farmers to grow elderberries for sale to a variety of value added product producers. The network consists of individuals and small farms that are looking to grow a perennial crop that has potential for creating value added products and for sale to Maine Medicinals for nutraceuticals. This has resulted in the early stage growth of an organic, domestic supply of US grown, superior grade elderberries. Members of the growers network are now providing raw product to local manufacturers of nutraceuticals and fermented beverage sectors. Future applications resulting from the success of the Phase II project include expanding the grower's network from artisanal growers to mid-size farms growing elderberries and other anti-oxidant rich berries. Changes/Problems: This project utilized a micro powder as an intermediate product to retain maximum levels of phytonutrients. The process produced a stable micro powder that provided superior retention of phytonutrients, flavor, color and aroma. Eldertide used this product in prototype product development. Eldertide then developed three prototype elderberry lozenges.The results of the lozenge development component of Phase II determined that although it is technically feasible to produce an elderberry lozenge with superior phytonutrient capacity, the high cost of purchasing the equipment and processing the raw materials needed to produce the products is not economically viable at this time. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Education and training were given to participants in the Eldertide Elderberry School as stated above. Efforts focused on training and developing skills prior to planting and cultivation of the four superior varieties of elderberries identified in Phase I. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Eldertide and its Phase I and II accomplishments was one of five companies highlighted in an SBA Federal And State Technology Partnership effort as a Success Story by the Maine Technology Institute as an example of a company that has achieved commercialization of R&D efforts based on the SBIR Program. Ms. Johnston regularly gives talks at the Maine Organic Farmers and Grower's Association Common Ground Fair. Farm visits ocurred. The company was featured as a LARTA Success Story and the company received an SBA Tibbetts Award as well. All publicity is based on the work that Eldertide conducted under the SBIR Phase I and II programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Technical Objective 1: Establish a reliable supply of US grown elderberries by supporting a growers' network of small and mid-sized farms for commercial scale production. Specific tasks and activities to meet this objective included: a) Development of the EES: The EES is well underway with participants in the growers' network receiving opportunities for experiential learning, demonstrations, traditional classroom instruction, and workshops. Twelve farms were selected from over forty applications. Members of the first class are very diverse in terms of their knowledge of farming, their familiarity with elderberries, and the size and focus of their farms. However, they all share an interest in growing elderberries commercially for various markets. Development of course description, curriculum and prepared educational materials for students The EES contracted with CEI, Inc. to assist in developing the curriculum and implementing the program. CEI is focused on improving the long term viability and sustainability of environmentally focused, natural resource based industries. CEI in association with the Maine Department of Agriculture's Food and Rural Development Office oversees Maine's Farms for the Future program, a state-wide economic development program that targets farms transitioning to a new generation or start-up farming operations. The participants were selected via an extensive application and review process. Participation in the EES provided farmers with access to various business development and support programs at the state and federal levels that they may not have been aware of or participated in previous to their involvement in the growers' network. The curriculum for the EES encompasses four areas associated with the culture and horticulture of elderberries: 1. Plant management from site selection through harvest and propagation 2. Processing and food safety 3. Marketing 4. Business planning, Maine Organic Growers and Farmers Association (MOGFA) certification and insurance Classes were scheduled monthly with farm visits, on-line and phone support available. The project's PI, horticultural liaison, and outside consultants lead workshops that focus on specific areas of expertise necessary to develop a successful elderberry operation. Specific workshops included: 1. A general overview of the industry including basics of organic certification, site selection, disease and pest management, production, harvesting, and processing. 2. Business Planning and Marketing: The Maine SBDC provided comprehensive business management assistance, training, and information to the growers association.This session featured a certified Financial Consultant and several Maine SBDC business counselors that have provided follow-on services and assistance to members of the growers' network. 3. Tips and techniques for elderberry propagation, site selection, and organic certification with farm visits. David Closen from MOGFA provided his expertise and experience in these areas to participants. MOGFA continues to be a valuable resource for information on organic growing and crop certification practices. 4. A discussion on food safety, regulations and value-added products. This session was lead by Beth Calder, PhD Associate Professor of Food Safety and Human Nutrition at UMaine. 5. Individual Farm Visits were scheduled to review farm layout, design, soil conditions, and cultivation and propagation planning. The PI lead these visits accompanied by Eldertide's horticultural liaison. 6. Farm Days at Eldertide Farm with extension and continuing education options as requested by various members of the growers' network. Farm Days allow network participants to focus on individual challenges or share information with other participants on their experiences to date. In meeting this Technical Objective, Eldertide reviewed and addressed perceived barriers to growing elderberries as a specialty crop for new and existing growers. It also identified resources critical to financing agricultural infrastructure and aligned growers to existing business development and economic development resources available in the State of Maine. The selection process for the growers' network was very thorough, although time consuming, to carefully select each candidate. A copy of the application will be made available on Eldertide's website as we expand the growers' network beyond the initial 12 farms. The application may serve as a valuable resource for other states that wish to develop a growers' network to support specialty crop production for high value niche markets in the US. As market demand for value-added products increases, expanding raw elderberry product will necessitate mid-sized farms developing larger scale elderberry orchards. Technical Objective #2 - Conduct prototype development of nutraceutical products utilizing US grown elderberries. Specific tasks and activities to support this technical objective: This project applied innovative processing technologies to previously identified superior varieties of US grown organic elderberries. The Phase II technical objective was to bring one improved nutraceutical syrup and one new lozenge to market. Based on the superior blended elderberry juice developed in Phase I, Phase II began with a comparative evaluation of juicing processes. Task 1 evaluated three juicing methods to determine the process most suitable for nutraceutical prototype product development. Juicing followed manufacturer's instructions for each method. Preliminary data was recorded and analyzed to determine the most appropriate juicing method for Phase II work. Juice samples were analyzed for their microbiological attributes including: total aerobes, yeasts, molds, coliforms, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiologists at UMaine's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Katahdin Analytical Laboratories conducted assays. The data was utilized for lozenge formulation. Task 3 assayed juice samples for chemical attributes. Elderberry powders were analyzed for total monometric anthocyanins and total phenolics to inform prototype development of powders for Phase II product development. The results of the lozenge development component of Phase II determined that although it is technically feasible to produce an elderberry lozenge with superior phytonutrient capacity, the high cost of purchasing the equipment and processing the raw materials needed to produce the products is not economically viable at this time. Phase II efforts focused on developing five improved elderberry syrups utilizing the identified juicing processing technology from Phase I and work performed early in the Phase II project. Syrups were assayed for microbiological (Katahdin Analytical) and chemical (UMaine's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition's Microbiology Department) attributes. Analytical chemical assays were conducted by the Linus Pauling Institute. Sensory evaluations were conducted by the Oregon State Univeristy Food Innovation Center for consumer response testing utilizing PAT and Focus Group Sessions. Eldertide, LLC has successfully developed the five new organic nutraceutical products listed below utilizing US grown elderberries under the Maine Medicinal's AnthoImmune™ line: 1) An improved elderberry syrup 2) A children's elderberry syrup formula 3) A classic alcohol and water based tincture 4) A glycerite tincture 5) Micro-powder based hard, soothing lozenges (a product that is technically feasible but not economically viable at this time)
Publications
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