Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Native perennial shrub suitable for Zone 6a NY/Lake Erie, produces high yields of berries after 3-4 years with proper pruning and cross-pollination. Labor-intensive harvest but low input crop.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- Early spring – Early spring
- Harvest
- Late Aug-early Sep (NY) – Late Aug-early Sep (NY)
- Frost-free days
- 120+
Yield
- Typical yield
- 3 tons/acre/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 30 years
- Years to full prod.
- 3
- Labor
- 650 hrs/acre
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Emerging crop with growing buyer network
Price Trend Stable/Up
Price trending upward due to growing demand
Supply Below Demand
Strong unmet demand regionally and nationally
Multiple Buyer Channels
Multiple market channels: wholesale, retail, processing, and/or direct
Value-Added Potential
Strong value-added potential through processing, direct sales, or specialty products
Market Growth Projected
Strong market growth projected
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Zone 6a within crop range (3.0-9.0)
GDD Sufficient
GDD data not specified; crop is documented as viable in Zone 6a
Precipitation Compatible
Regional precipitation (~40 in/yr) compatible with crop needs
Frost-Free Season OK
Frost-free season (160 days) meets crop requirement (120 days)
Chill Hours Met
Chill hour requirement N/A for this crop type or met by default
Climate Trend Favorable
Climate projections remain favorable for this crop in the region
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Standard farm equipment compatible or easily adapted
Storage Available
Specialized or limited storage; perishable product needs immediate handling
Irrigation Compatible
Low water needs or rain-fed viable
Field Layout Suitable
Vineyard field layouts suitable for this crop
Labor Availability
Labor needs manageable with existing farm workforce
Processing Proximity
No nearby specialized processing; may need direct marketing or shipping
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($15,000/acre) exceeds regional average
Input Costs Acceptable
Annual operating costs ($8,000/acre) are high
Payback Period OK
Reaches full production in 3 years; acceptable payback
Insurance Available
No federal crop insurance; NAP may be available for some disaster scenarios
Revenue Per Labor Hour
Revenue per labor hour ($23) is below average
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $3/$/lb destemmed |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $15,000 |
| Annual Operating Cost | $8,000/acre |
| Establishment Cost | $3,500/acre |
| Total Input Cost | —/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $4,000 |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | — |
| Crop Insurance | Not available |
Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA RMA, regional budget studies (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Low pest/disease pressure; manageable with standard IPM
Market Diversified
Market access diversified across multiple channels
Low Establishment Risk
Low establishment risk; quick to establish or low upfront investment
Climate Resilient
Hardy and resilient to climate variability in the region
Regulatory Burden Low
Minimal regulatory burden for production and sale
Diversifies Portfolio
Diversifies farm revenue away from grape monoculture
Risk data for this crop is being collected. Check back soon.
Nearby Buyers
Data sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: Lake Erie (lake_erie)