If you are interested in growing Aronia Berries this workshop is a must!

For more information and registration, call us on 712-648-2432 or email: vaughn@sawmillhollow.com

Contact Us

Phone: 712-648-2432
Email: andrew@sawmillhollow.com

Directions to the Sawmill Hollow Family Farm
2159 Kennedy Ave, Missouri Valley, IA 51555

• From Omaha Area
  Drive To Blair Nebraska, Turn Right onto US-30 East, Turn left onto North 1st Street CR-L 20 continue to follow CR-L-20, take a right on to L-23, turn left onto Kennedy Ave.

• From Council Bluffs Area
  Old Lincoln Highway, to Missouri Valley, Turn left on Main Street, Turn Right onto North 1st St Cr-L 20 continue to follow CR-L-20), take a right on to L-23, turn left onto Kennedy Ave.

• From Sioux City Area
  Take I-29 South to Mondamin, take the 1 A- 127 exit, Exit 89, toward Mondamin. Turn left on to IA-127 Follow to Magnolia, then turn right on L-23/Laredo Drive, follow Laredo 2 1/2 miles towards the bottom of a hill turn right onto Kennedy Ave.

• From Des Moines Area
  I-235 W becomes 80 W, Merge onto I-680 W via Exit 27 Toward North Omaha/ Sioux City, Merge onto I-29 North exit 13 B toward Sioux City, Exit 75 Right, Merge Right US-30 East, Turn left onto North 1st Street CR-L 20 continue to follow CR-L-20, take a right on to L-23, turn left onto Kennedy Ave.

• From Logan Area
  Take Highway 127 West to Magnolia turn left onto L-23 (Ladredo Ave), turn right onto Kennedy Ave. Signs will be posted.

• From Kansas City Area
  I-29 North, Exit towards Council Bluffs Broadway towards Old Lincoln Highway, take to Missouri Valley, Turn left on Main Street, Turn Right onto North 1st St Cr-L 20 continue to follow CR-L-20), take a right on to L-23, turn left onto Kennedy Ave.

What

This year’s Annual North American Aronia Berry Festival
A Super Fruit Revival at the Sawmill Hollow Family Farm.

Where

The festival is help annually in Missouri Valley, IA: Aronia Berry
Capital of United States and site of America’s first Aronia Berry farm.

When

September 17 and 18, from 10 am to 6 pm
Click here for the Festival Schedule

About

The Festival will celebrate the resiliency and ingenuity of Iowans
in addition to America’s home-grown Superfruit, which was first
cultivated right here in Western Iowa.

What began as a simple farm field day has become an annual event attracting thousands of visitors. As always, this year’s festival will highlight the aronia berry, the highest antioxidant berry grown in the United States, but also many Iowans’ talents and neighborly spirit.

This year is more than just about celebrating the work that goes into harvest, it’s also about staying above water! Clint Sargent, Mayor of Missouri Valley Iowa said:

“This year’s flood has taken its toll on Iowa’s economy, rural development, and transportation. But this year’s festival demonstrates to the rest of the Midwest that western Iowa is open for business and stronger than ever.”

This year’s festival will feature: over twenty Artisans from the Loess Hills; kids’ activities featuring “Farm Safety 4 Just Kids,”; aronia berry cooking and smoothie samplings, speakers, live music, health professionals, wine tastings, theme as well as production based Ag and farm diversification presentations. Visitors on Sunday night will also have the opportunity to enjoy a complete Aronia Berry BBQ themed cookout, as well as a karaoke event dubbed by organizers as “Aronia Idol.”

While the event certainly revolves around all things aronia, Andrew Pittz, co-owner of Sawmill Hollow family farm, added “we have the unique ability to bring together a few thousand Iowans every year and celebrate what makes our Loess Hills’ community so unique. Whether it’s artisans, musicians, hunters or foodies, everyone has something to bring to the table.”

Click Here to Download [pdf]

Preheat the oven to 350˚. Mix all ingredients together except for the cinnamon and the ½ cup of brown sugar. Pour mixture into a buttered 9×13 in. pan. Mix the cinnamon and remaining brown sugar in a small bowl. Pour onto the batter. Bake for 35-40 min. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Combine aronia berries and sugar in a small saucepan and cook, over low heat, until slightly thickened and sugar is dissolved. Mash the aronia berries slightly with a fork and let cool. In a blender, combine 1/3 cup milk, 10 ounces of ice cream, vanilla bean seeds and the nutmeg and blend until smooth. Fill a tall milkshake glass 1/3 of the way with some of the milkshake, add a few tablespoons of the blackberry puree, fill 1/3 of the way with more milkshake, then a few tablespoons of the puree and finish with the remaining milkshake. Use a straw to stir and swirl the mixtures together.