Veteran Berries

01/10/2026

If American elderberry can inhibit the Avian Influenza and protect cells against oxidative stress for queen bees, and incorporated into food products for either a natural prevention or treatment, that would be research worth conducting!

Page 9: “Elderberry (EBD) extracts are also characterized by a high content of quercetin, a known in vitro inhibitor of the bovine coronavirus [106]. EDB extracts obtained by crude ethanol extraction of fruit compounds inhibited IBV (avian infectious bronchitis virus, a gamma-coronavirus that infects the respiratory tract of chickens) by several orders of magnitude.”

Elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) are rich in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, offering strong antioxidant, antiviral, and therapeutic health benefits.

01/08/2026

https://www.veteranberries.com/blogs/news-sitreps/why-hamilton-elderberry-drives-daylight-movement

The Hamilton American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is more than a berry plant — it’s a security structure allowing deer to move earlier in the afternoon.

01/06/2026

MS State Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department

01/06/2026

Hamilton American Elderberry — Wrapping Up Bloom, Not the Season.

Our Hamilton American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is ending its elderflower bloom period and entering a short dormant transition before pushing out fresh vegetative growth.

The bloom photos taken yesterday (Jan 5, 2026) capture some of the final blooms before the plant resets and shifts right back into leaf production. We’re already seeing bud break on some canes.

This is the only variety we have that shows extended phenology, holding green cover later into winter than many native species. Extended phenology translates to longer-lasting cover and browse for deer.

Why Hamilton matters for the 2026–2027 deer hunting season:

• Exceptional green leaf retention into Fall/Winter compared to many native species.

• Quick return to dense vegetative growth after bloom.

• Observed natural resistance to aphid mites.

• Provides late-season deer browse and cover.

• Ideal for food plot edges, travel corridors, and stand approach zones.

Plant now to influence deer movement, strengthen cover, and improve habitat well ahead of the 2026–2027 hunting season. Plant in February and have foliage, blooms, and fruit by August.

Native plants like Hamilton help keep deer on your property when pressure increases. Hamilton isn’t just productive — it’s predictable, resilient, and natural for land managers.

We sell and ship elderberry cuttings from January through mid-February or until sold out. We recommend planting in February for Planting Zone 8a-b.

Plant with purpose. Hunt with confidence.

— Visit VeteranBerries.com

01/05/2026

Highly recommend for anyone wanting to become a beekeeper.

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund application is NOW OPEN!

The Fellowship Fund program is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to Veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

The application will be open from January 5, 2026 until February 17, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit the FVC website here: https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/

For any questions, please email fellowship@farmvetco.org.

01/01/2026

🇺🇸🌱 Boots-to-Roots | B2R Mission #001

Off to a great start in 2026! We’re honored to introduce Capt. Justin Estes, USAF (Ret.), the first recipient of our Boots-to-Roots (B2R) Program.

After serving as an MQ-9 Reaper Pilot in the United States Air Force, Justin returned home and began building his next mission—a regenerative, sustainability-focused farm on 20 acres in Starkville, Mississippi.

Through our Veterans Day (Week) promotion, Veteran Berries matched cuttings sold and gifted 35 elderberry cuttings to help kickstart Justin’s journey as an elderberry grower.

In his words:

“I served in the United States Air Force as an MQ-9 pilot until April 2025, when I was medically retired. In November, I purchased 20 acres of land that will become my future home and a regenerative, sustainability-focused farm.

The first addition to the farm was 35 elderberry cuttings, generously gifted through the Boots to Roots program. These cuttings mark the beginning of a long-term vision centered on soil health, perennial crops, and regenerative land stewardship as I transition from military service into agriculture.

This project represents a new chapter—one rooted in restoration, resilience, and purposeful growth.”

This is why we started the Boots-to-Roots Program—Veterans supporting Veterans—as they move from service to soil.

— Veteran Berries
Our Mission Is Your Wellness!

Justin Brian State University Extension Service Department of Agriculture and Commerce County Extension Office

12/31/2025

Any Veteran wanting to join the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) and help kickstart a Mississippi Chapter please read below to register for an upcoming Zoom meeting help on February 10th at 12pm or 7pm CST.

———-

We have exciting news to share, we have been working on organizing a Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) chapter in Mississippi and we would like to invite you to participate in our upcoming stakeholder meeting to learn more about FVC, the Mississippi chapter that is being organized, and how you can become involved.

We are hosting two stakeholder meetings via Zoom on February 10, 2026; one meeting at 12pm and another at 7pm. The registration links are included below.

Our goal is to collaborate with other Farmer Veteran Coalition members, other individuals, and organizations (various government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and corporate entities) to develop current and future generations of Farmer Veterans and agricultural leaders in Mississippi. All who are interested in supporting Farmer Veterans and agriculturalists are welcome.

If you or your organization are interested in participating, please register for the meeting(s) below:

February 10, 2026 @ 12pm CST
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hZWmnnxzTn-WqWPDg_NNyA #/registration

or

February 10, 2026 @ 7pm CST
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XfXVT7s8RfGornkEd90pYQ #/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You must register to receive your confirmation link. It is anticipated that the meetings will run for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For any questions, please contact us at mississippi@farmvetco.org. Information about the Farmer Veteran Coalition may be found here https://farmvetco.org/

We look forward to seeing you on February 10, 2026.

Thank you for your support,

The Chapter Organizing Committee
Farmer Veteran Coalition of Mississippi

We cultivate a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities.

12/31/2025

It was just on the news today that the CDC says the flu shot is not designed for the new flu variant H3N2 subclade K. Plus the annual flu shots have only 30-40% efficacy.

Folk medicines and herbal products have been used for millennia to combat a wide range of ailments, and in the process confounding modern scientists who have struggled to understand their medicinal benefits. Now a new study from the University of Sydney has revealed exactly how one popular ancient r...

12/31/2025

2026 Flu Season Update: A New Variant Spreading!

Health officials are reporting a rise in flu cases linked to a newly dominant strain (H3N2 subclade K). While the flu shot still matters, experts say this season is hitting earlier and harder than expected. However, the current flu shot has only a 30-40% efficacy rate and is not designed for this new variant.

This is why supporting your immune system all year long matters.

Get American Elderberry from Veteran Berries today!

Elderberry has a long history of use during cold and flu season as part of a wellness routine. Our products are made with American-grown elderberries, not imported powders, and crafted with quality and transparency you can trust.

Support your wellness. Support a Veteran-owned business. Support our American farmers. See our selection of products and stock up for flu season at Veteran Berries.

www.VeteranBerries.com
“Our Mission Is Your Wellness”



https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/12/30/nx-s1-5661508/flu-cdc-h

Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to new CDC data. The virus is spreading faster than in previous years and the surge is likely to get worse. Here's what you need to know.

12/25/2025

12/21/2025

Check out our Blog #2 - a must read for those thinking about planting elderberry. Enjoy!

Learn if elderberry cuttings are right for your farm. Compare cuttings vs bare-root plants for cost, establishment speed, and productivity.

12/20/2025

Happy 6th Birthday US Space Force!