Veteran Berries

09/02/2025

Dewayne N Missy Hamrick

09/02/2025

Want to see something hilarious? Watch this slow-motion clip I captured today of our bees. Simply amazing to watch!

Leave your tagline for it in the comments and then share it.

“Cargo Pilots Gettin It Done”.
“Show-Off Pilot” taking off backwards.
“Student Pilot Running Late” with miraculous save.





Dewayne N Missy Hamrick

09/02/2025

Elderberry is a plant native to North America that has received a lot of attention lately from people who claim health benefits from drinking its berry juice.

American elderberries have been growing wild across the South for centuries, as they are naturally adapted to our climate and soils. They thrive in full sun, love consistent moisture, and grow best in our rich, loamy soils without needing much fuss.

With my interest piqued in this plant, I recently took a visit to Veteran Berries in Decatur, Mississippi, to see these plants growing for myself. There, I met Dewayne Hamrick, who has been growing cultivars like Hamilton, Pocahontas and several other selections that perform well here in Mississippi.

Elderberries are deciduous shrubs that typically grow between 6 and 12 feet tall, spreading by both seeds and root suckers. Each spring, new canes emerge from the base of the plant. The canes grow quickly, leafing out with opposite, compound leaves that give the plant a soft, feathery look.

Elderberries flower on new growth, and the clusters of blooms appear in late spring to early summer.

While visiting Dewayne’s elderberry patch, these blooms were the first thing that caught my attention. They form in large, flat-topped clusters that can measure 6 to 10 inches across. Their delicate beauty and fragrance can easily stop you in your tracks.

Just as impressive is the life they attract. Pollinators swarm the blossoms, and later, the berries become a valuable food source for birds and other forms of wildlife.

After flowering, clusters of small green berries appear, and these slowly swell and ripen over several weeks. By mid-to-late summer, those clusters transform into heavy, drooping bunches of deep purple to nearly black berries.

Once harvested, the canes that produced fruit gradually die back over the year so that new canes can take their place and produce the next season’s crop. This cycle of renewal is what makes elderberries such a productive and sustainable shrub.

Elderberries are versatile in the kitchen, but the berries must be cooked before eating.

Raw elderberries, along with the leaves and stems, contain small amounts of naturally occurring compounds that can cause nausea or stomach upset if consumed. Cooking breaks down these compounds, making the berries safe and delicious to enjoy.

Dewayne said he has seen elderberries turned into syrup, jelly, tea and even wine.

Planting elderberries in your landscape will give you beautiful blooms to enjoy, they will attract pollinators and birds, and you will have a steady harvest of berries to use in the kitchen year after year.

09/02/2025

Here is the MSU Mississippi State University Extension Service Southern Gardening video!

Today on Southern Gardening, we’re visiting Veteran Berries in Decatur, Mississippi, where elderberries are taking root and thriving. For the past three year...

08/29/2025

08/29/2025

08/25/2025

We’re excited to announce that NobleBerry Premium Elderberry Soda — proudly distributed in Mississippi by Veteran Berries — is now available at:

🍷 Queen’s Reward Meadery (Tupelo, MS)
🌱 Blue Courage Farms (Brooksville, MS)

🫐 What makes NobleBerry different?
✔️ Organic elderberries
✔️ Honey, lemon, ginger, stevia & L-Theanine
✔️ Lightly carbonated & refreshing
✔️ A premium functional beverage that’s actually good for you

🙌 Thank you to our amazing retail partners for helping us bring finally, a healthy soda to Mississippi!

📩 Retailers: Want to join the NobleBerry family? Contact us at info@veteranberries.com

08/12/2025

Filming day for Dr Eddie Smith and the MSU Crew for a September episode of The Southern Gardener - Elderberries! Here’s a few behind the scenes pics!

08/10/2025

Excellent and relevant article on growth of functional beverages for immune support.

Here are a couple quotes from the article that supprts why we are so excited about the future of NobleBerry! Come be a part of this wellness movement - become a retailer!

“The interest in immune health is reshaping consumer behavior, leading to a stronger demand for functional beverages that support overall wellness and immunity.”

“ADM’s DuBow says consumers’ focus on longevity and immune health is creating a heightened demand for products perceived to support immune function, especially with beverage choices.”

“Immune health has gained traction for many reasons, Nair says, one of which being that it is no longer just a seasonal concern — it is a year-round priority.”

“Known as the ‘master antioxidant,’ glutathione plays a vital role in maintaining immune cell function and protecting the body from oxidative stress.”

“These formats align really well with how consumers want to consume functional ingredients that are quick, convenient and part of their daily rituals,” he says. “The key is to integrate immune support in a way that’s seamless and enjoyable.”

https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/97668-consumers-turn-to-beverages-for-immune-supportnt arti le o

Consumers are increasingly prioritizing long-term health and focusing on prevention over cure with beverages acting as a delivery model.

08/02/2025

🚨 Big Announcement - Coming to Mississippi! 🚨

Veteran Berries is proud to announce we are now an official distributor of NobleBerry — the premium elderberry soda that's redefining refreshment with seven natural ingredients and no compromises.

“NobleBerry Premium Elderberry Soda is here to awaken your senses — bold elderberry flavor paired with a balanced blend of American honey, lemon, ginger, stevia, and L‑Theanine. It’s lightly carbonated, 100% crave-worthy, and brewed with American-grown elderberries. Refreshing without the junk!” – NobleBerry

💬 "From the very first sip, I knew NobleBerry belonged in the Veteran Berries family of products. We love the brand, the health-focused mission, and the NobleBerry team," says Dewayne Hamrick, Owner of Veteran Berries.

We’re now partnering with:
🛍️ Health food stores & boutiques
☕ Coffee shops & cafés
🏋️‍♂️ Fitness gyms & wellness centers
🍺 Breweries & restaurants
…anywhere looking for a better-for-you beverage that customers will love.

🎯 Interested in retailing NobleBerry?
Contact us at info@veteranberries.com — Let’s bring healthy, delicious refreshment to your shelves.

Veteran Berries is a Mississippi based veteran-owned company dedicated to growing, producing , and distributing high-quality American elderbery products while supporting fellow farmers, service-members, and local communities.

🫐 Finally—a healthy soda, with a purpose!

07/29/2025

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