Smith said he’s seen a lot of interest in the crop, from mainstream farmers, to acreage owners in the area.

The aronia berry is also environmentally effective to grow. It seems to be resistant to diseases and insects, which lowers production costs, said Everhart.

“It’s also easy to grow. It’s a plant that you can plant and virtually walk away,” he said. “It’s pretty much a fool-proof plant.”

“It is crazy because the production isn’t there and the demand is,” Everhart said, adding that it may be a number of years before production catches up with demand.

“I have no idea when that’s going to happen, but I think it will happen in my lifetime,” he said.

Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.