2024 was an interesting year for the Aronia Harvest at our farm.

Harvesting machines and crews we have used in the past were not available. We have attempted to harvest berries by hand but with 5,000 bushes, it’s not feasible for us.

So…Kendall, our son, has worked with a life-long friend on a farm and vineyard. They had the “Old Braud” we hoped and prayed might do the job. The machine is a 1985 grape harvester that has been lovingly maintained to harvest grapes. At two years younger than Kendall, it was either try to use the “Old Braud” or we were S.O.L. So on a beautiful Saturday in early September we gave it a whirl. Nothing broke down, success!

We were disappointed with the total harvest, and are realizing the berries bushes are too tall and probably too old to produce a good crop. We planted our first bushes in 2008 and continued planting through 2012. It may be time for some severe pruning.