Aroostook County farmers have for years explored alternative crops. Although the potato reign supreme in the county, its farmland grows a whole range of vegetables, fruits and other crops. Take the Haskap berry. This soft fruit has taken off in the St. John Valley.
The Voisine family of Fort Kent and New Canada started growing blue, oval haskap berries about seven years ago at Allagash View Farms. They have sold the crop not only as fresh berries, but also to be made into syrup and beer.
Haskaps are in the honeysuckle family and are hardy shrubs that can survive temperatures down to about 20 degrees, according to the Utah State University Yard and Garden Extension. That makes them ideal for the sometimes chilly and short growing season in Aroostook County.
Source: bangordailynews.com