Elderberries, long used in herbal remedies, are set to become the next “hot food crop” according to an article in The Daily News.

The US Government’s investment of large sums in studying their potential medicinal benefits combined with the high prices they are fetching from foodies is creating interest among farmers.

A recent workshop organized by Durham (who oversees one of the nation's largest commercial elderberry farms on 37 acres of Missouri River bottomlands) and sponsored by the University of Missouri's Center for Agroforestry saw participants learn the latest in elderberry pest prevention, propagation and pruning methods.

The majority of elderberries being used now in foods and herbal remedies come from Europe but five US universities have been given $37.5 million for a five-year study to explore their possible medical benefits along with those of wild yams and other herbal and dietary supplements.

Read the full story: Missouri farmers look to boost US elderberry crop