The Widget Development & Trading Company

08/29/2026

David Martin

08/18/2026

American Elderberry vs. European Elderberry 💜

While both varieties are part of the Sambucus family, American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is native to North America and is well-suited to our climate.

American Elderberry is also known for its naturally high levels of anthocyanins and antioxidants, while containing lower levels of cyanogenic glycosides than some European elderberry varieties.

At the end of the day, we’re proud to grow elderberry native to our own backyard 🇺🇸

08/15/2026

GET YOUR ELDERBERRY SHIRT!

Don't forget to pre-order your elderberry T-shirt and wear your elderberry pride at the symposium!

PRE-ORDER YOUR SHIRT:
https://form.jotform.com/WidgetBTC/pre-order-t-shirt-form

08/14/2026

LOOK WHO’S COMING TO THE SOUTHEASTERN ELDERBERRY SYMPOSIUM!

We’re bringing together growers, researchers, educators, and industry professionals to help you learn more about growing, managing, marketing, and creating opportunities with American elderberries.

🌿 HERE’S WHO YOU’LL LEARN FROM:

⭐ Terry Durham | River Hills Harvest
Commercial elderberry production, growing for profit & industry experience

🍰 Menia Chester | Desserts by Latrell
Food preservation

🌱 Dr. Babu Valliyodan | Lincoln University
Elderberry grafting

🫐 Dr. Thais Ramos | UGA Tifton
Post-harvest best practices

🌿 Spencer “Rah” Pearce | RAH Healing InnerG
Herbalism, wellness & elderberries

🐞 Dr. Clement Akotsen-Mensah
Entomology & pest management

📣 Heather Wilson | River Hills Harvest
Marketing American elderberries

💻 April Collins | Widget DTC
E-commerce & selling farm products online

💧 Dr. Bipul Biswas | Fort Valley State University
Hydroponics

🌱 Joshua Smith | The DOXA Farm
Young farmer, entrepreneurship & value-added agriculture

🚜 PLUS, OUR LUNCH & LEARN GROWER PANEL!

Hear directly from experienced growers and industry leaders, including Terry Durham, Dave Buehler, Ricky Dollison, Dr. Jim Gratzek, with David Duncan of Elder Farms serving as moderator.

And don’t forget the opportunity to meet other growers, ask questions, visit vendors, and build connections with people working to grow the American elderberry industry.

📅 September 17–19, 2026
📍 Tifton, Georgia

The event kicks off Thursday evening with a Meet & Greet at the Hilton Garden Inn, followed by two days of education and networking.

REGISTER TODAY:
https://4thelderberry.eventbrite.com

Come learn. Meet the experts. Connect with growers. Discover the possibilities of American elderberry!

08/13/2026

We Need More American Elderberry Growers!

Did you know the U.S. elderberry ingredient market exceeds $200 million annually, yet about 95% of the elderberries used in American products are imported from Europe?

The demand for American-grown elderberries is growing, and companies are actively looking to buy from U.S. growers. The challenge? There simply aren't enough farms producing them.

If you've been searching for a profitable way to diversify your farm, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Join us September 17–19, 2026, in Tifton, GA, to learn from experienced growers, researchers, and industry leaders. Discover what it takes to grow, harvest, market, and sell American elderberries.

The opportunity is here. Now we need the growers.

Register today and be part of the future of American elderberry production!

https://4thelderberry.eventbrite.com

08/12/2026

Presenter Highlight! Meet Dave Buehler of Elder Farms!

Dave Buehler is the heart and driving force behind Elder Farms, bringing years of experience, creativity, and a passion for specialty farming to everything he does. From solving problems in the field to teaching young people eco-friendly farming methods, Dave is committed to growing crops that support healthier people and stronger communities.

As Vice President of the Board of the Missouri Organic Association, Dave also travels to educate farmers about planting, crop management, and incorporating regenerative farming practices into existing operations. He is especially passionate about helping small family farms explore specialty crops as a way to diversify and create new opportunities.

At the 4th Southeastern Elderberry Symposium, Dave will bring his hands-on experience and enthusiasm for American elderberries to help growers better understand how elderberry production can fit into a diversified farm operation.

If you're thinking about growing elderberries, already have plants in the ground, or are looking for new ways to diversify your farm, you won't want to miss the opportunity to learn from Dave!

📅September 17–19, 2026
📍 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center | Tifton, GA

🎟️ REGISTER TODAY:
https://4thelderberry.eventbrite.com

08/03/2026

Presenter Highlight! Meet Spencer “Rah” Pearce!

For Spencer “Rah” Pearce, growing food is about much more than what comes out of the ground. It’s about wellness, community, culture, and remembering your roots.

Rah’s journey into agriculture and wellness has taken him from his roots in Dothan, Alabama, to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and throughout the Caribbean. Along the way, he immersed himself in different cultures and learned from farmers, herbalists, wellness practitioners, and community leaders. Those experiences deepened his knowledge of herbs, plant medicine, nutrition, farming, and what it truly means to live from the land.

In 2023, Rah returned home with a mission to pour that knowledge back into his community. Today, you can find him working with Aunt Katie’s Community Garden and throughout the Wiregrass area, teaching others about growing healthy food, wellness, and connecting with the land.

His passion is also deeply rooted in family. Inspired by his grandmother, Lois Williams, and generations of ancestors who farmed and sharecropped throughout rural Alabama and Florida, Rah believes that being able to grow healthy food for the people you love is one of life’s greatest blessings.

We’re excited to have Rah join us at the 4th Southeastern Elderberry Symposium, where he’ll bring his unique perspective on plants, wellness, agriculture, and community.

📅 September 18–19, 2026
📍 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center | Tifton, GA

Come learn, connect, and discover what American elderberries could bring to your farm, business, or community.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984770421760?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/31/2026

He is an outstanding amazing young man. You need to hear his path to success!

Presenter Highlight! Meet Joshua Smith!

At just 14 years old, Joshua Smith is already making a remarkable impact through agriculture. As the founder of The The Doxa Farm in Albany, Georgia, he's proving that age is no barrier to innovation, entrepreneurship, and serving others.

Joshua transformed his passion for farming into a successful value-added business by creating unique pecan products, while using his farm to help support members of his community. His story is an inspiring example of how purpose, creativity, and agriculture can come together to make a difference.

Join us as Joshua shares his journey, his innovative approach to value-added products, and how young entrepreneurs are helping shape the future of American agriculture.

📅 September 17–19, 2026
📍 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center
Tifton, Georgia

Come hear from Joshua and a lineup of growers, researchers, and industry experts as we explore the future of American elderberries and discover new opportunities for farms of every size.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984770421760?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/31/2026

Presenter Highlight! Meet Joshua Smith!

At just 14 years old, Joshua Smith is already making a remarkable impact through agriculture. As the founder of The The Doxa Farm in Albany, Georgia, he's proving that age is no barrier to innovation, entrepreneurship, and serving others.

Joshua transformed his passion for farming into a successful value-added business by creating unique pecan products, while using his farm to help support members of his community. His story is an inspiring example of how purpose, creativity, and agriculture can come together to make a difference.

Join us as Joshua shares his journey, his innovative approach to value-added products, and how young entrepreneurs are helping shape the future of American agriculture.

📅 September 17–19, 2026
📍 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center
Tifton, Georgia

Come hear from Joshua and a lineup of growers, researchers, and industry experts as we explore the future of American elderberries and discover new opportunities for farms of every size.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984770421760?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/31/2026

The market is hot and we need your help!

Elder Farms is looking for new growers to add to our network. Farmers, homesteaders, families, and individuals with unused land - elderberry is great for those who have small acreage, want little to no overhead, and have a desire to grow a crop that is not only sustainable, but hosts a multitude of health benefits.

Demand for American grown elderberry is booming, with profit margins soaring. We need more growers and we are ready to help you get started + educate you along the way.

Turnaround time for berry production in as little as 2 years, and we will buy your berries back from you!

To learn more please visit Buehlerfarms.com or contact us directly for a consultation