Saturday, August 28, 2010

Wild Grape Vines Tips!

I  forgot to talk about Wild Grape Vines and how to use them to make Wild Harvest Profits.

I normally harvest the vines that are about as thick as your index finger. You can make do with thicker vines, but they are tougher to get to make into a wreath...not impossible...just harder. The best time to harvest is when they are still actively growing....they are more supple then.

Strip the side shots, but not to many...they add to the "natural" look of your wreath.

I made a form from a piece of plywood and a few dowels I had in my garage. I drew a circle of the intended inside dimensions of the wreath, placed my dowels on the inside of the circle, attached the dowels from the back of the plywood, and it resulted in a form for wrapping the vines around. This simple tool makes forming a circle quite easily.

Don't get carried away with putting to many vines in a single wreath. Believe me when I say that "less is much more beautiful" for this project. If anything the weight of the wreath would be extreme if you made it 7 inches in diameter.

Go to your local hobby store, or florist shop and look at the size they are selling for a good idea of what to make yours.

I use fine wire for tying in the vines into the wreath.  Toward the end of making the desired size, I take a supple vine and wrap it around the entire wreath tying it together visually.

If your vines are less then supple for bending around your form, you have a few options.  You can make a small incision  of the inside edge of the vine helping it to relax and bend, or you can soak them in a large water bath

This will help them relax and form around your jig.  The only problem I have with the water bath, is that it means that you will have to dry the vine wreaths before you can market them. Takes more time and adds steps but a lot of the times it makes the wreathes more appealing after drying.

Many times this is the only way to make the wreathes presentable. Just figure a little more time in the marketing of this very easily salable commodity.

I can get anywhere from $10.00 dollars for a small to medium sized wreath when selling it at a farmers market all the way to $20.00.  It just depends on the season.  Folks start to think inside decorations with nature later int the year...Fall being the prime time around my locale.  Expect a little less when selling them wholesale to crafter's and florist .

In an afternoon of harvesting you can easily take in enough vines for for three too five wreathes, and this doesn't take long to add up to some nice easy money for a little quality time spent in the great outdoors.

Remember this post on using window screens for drying commodities.

Any Questions?  Comment below.  I check daily, and will be back with you normally in less than 24 hours.

Your is Wild Harvest Profit success!

5Rivers Jim

New Information for Using a Handheld GPS for Wild Harvesting for Profit!

I am using my Garmin handheld GPS for locating new and future commodities for Wild Harvesting for profit, and I really was not using this amazing tool to it's fullest. I was just scratching the surface with it's ability to download routes and tracks that I put into the GPS, and then put them in my computer for saving until it was time to harvest.

I was using a small notebook to write the Lat and Long of the intended site,( in the field) and then when I wanted to find the spot, I was  using this notebook to refer to the location. I then loaded it in my GPS and then navigated  to that spot.

Found out that I can load all that info to my lap top and then when I want it can be put in my Garmin Venture HC ...in a matter of minutes...for use in the field foraging. WOW! 

It shocks me that an Ole Poop like me can learn new things to save time and make more profit!

I got it all from a simple to understand DVD...it needs to be simple for me to understand!!!

You can get a head start understanding the capabilities of your GPS by ordering this DVD on Getting the most From Your GPS . It is money well spent and it will open your eyes to all that the Venture HC can do. I wish that I had this DVD at the start of the Wild Harvest Season.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success.

5Rivers Jim

Friday, August 27, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits - Keep Looking for Profit.

Wild Grape Vine Wreath.(.Image from Google Images)
Quick post on looking for your next salable commodity.

I was at my friends farm, mowing his small yard....2 acres or soo...and when mowing along the edge of the woods noticed that there is some very marketable Wild Grape growing up the trees. These vines are used in flower arrangements, and sell very well to florists and at farmers markets in your area. Many landowners consider them a pest to be removed. They also grow along fence lines, and make maintenance on the fence a chore when they get too old and long. I rarely get turned away when asking for permission to harvest them.

Now is the time to harvest them for curing and use in the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday period.

Some tips and tricks for curing them in my next post.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5Rivers Jim

Monday, August 23, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits - Burdock the Money Root

Burdock Growing Range


Burdock

This very common plant is harvested commercially for its root. It is said to have numerous medicinal uses.  It is in great favor in Europe for scalp health, and as a topical for acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and other dermatitis uses.  It has been used as a blood purifier, and diuretic in traditional folk medicine. It is also used in a popular soda drink.

Many harvest this plant for food, with the Japanese using this as a pot herb, main course, and appetizer. It is in the same family that Artichoke is from, and it is said to resemble it in taste.

This is a easy plant for harvesting, and many land owners will be happy to oblige you with permission to harvest all that you can carry.

It is normally dug in Summer, and the roots are normally about 12 to 14 inches long, altho some will go 2 or 3 feet deep.  They are normally about 1 inch thick, but may be larger depending on length. They are somewhat thick skinned and are a fleshy full bodied root. When you cut one open you will see the slightly whiteish inner core and the fleshy interior. The root is somewhat brown to dark grey colored.

The root must be cleaned of any debris and dirt before drying. Drying should be under cover in a shed or attic location with plenty of air circulation.  If the roots exceed 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter, then they should be sliced in half to avoid mold and uneven drying. The roots should be turned everyday until they are "Break Brittle" (see previous post about drying). Storage should be in a paper bag, in a dry location until shipping to the buyer. Make sure you annotate what is in the bag, so that you don't send different commodities to the buyer.

Currently this root is selling for $1.50 to $2.00 per pound, dry and clean non moldy roots only.

It is relatively easy to dig 10 to 15 pounds of this root in an afternoon, depending on your location.  I have found it growing along fence rows and drainage ditches, in well drained light soil making it relatively easy to harvest and dig.

This picture on the right show what a plant looks like and it's location for harvesting.

This description of this easily hervested root is what you will find in the White Paper that I am writing on the marketable roots for Wild Harvest Profits.

The report will have the addresses and instructions from the buyers of wild foraged and harvested commodities. It will list tips and tricks for effectively harvesting and selling your products. Every effort will be to provide you with the up to date market values and the ethical and legal issues on Wild Harvesting.

Read my previous posts. If you have any comments please post them here on this blog. I am open to suggestions,discussions, or problems you may be having in Wild Harvest for Profit.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits.

5Rivers Jim

The images and photos that were used in this post are attributed to Google Images.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits - Caution when collecting in the wild

This just came up again, and I need to emphasize  a strong point when collecting and foraging in Nature.

MAKE SURE YOU READ AND ABIDE BY ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS on collecting and harvesting commodities for profit.

I live in an area that has a National Wildlife Refuge in close driving distance. I pride myself for following and abiding by laws and regulations covering collecting, removing, and selling commodities from the wild. I found out that there are certain things that I have been guilty of without the intent to break the law.

I am not going to go into details...for obvious reasons...but " read and heed  "all rules and regulations for the proposed area that you are going to be harvesting and foraging, if it involves city, state, or federal lands.

The penalties are severe.

Here is one example:

A hunter that hunts waterfowl on the NWR, was target practicing with his dog at the place that he normally hunts during the season. He was using the required shot gun shells, and also using a dummy bird that gets shot from a holder.  He was swooped down on by three federal officers, guns drawn, putting him knees to the ground, and given a ticket for over $250 for discharging a firearm within the NWR out of hunting season. No warning ticket, just the fine.  This hunter abides by all the rules....he thought.  It was an eye opener for me.

The laws concerning alcohol, artifacts, collecting, disturbing behavior,fireworks, geocaching, vegetation, campfires, firewood, sanitation, among others are different on federal lands

Know your stuff.  There is no warning issued when the feds arrive.

Here is a site to check out before your next Wild Harvest for Profit.

www.fws.gov 

Your in Wild Harvest Profits success.

5Rivers Jim

Friday, August 20, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits - Theft Alert while in the field

I just read an article on GPS and Auto Theft. It could apply to any Wild Harvester or Wild Forager. Read On...promise this is short and to the point.

When auto thief's take a vehicle that is equipped with a GPS, they (the slugs that took your ride) are using the owners own address entered into the system to locate and break in and rob the residence adding insult to injury. Many folks (yes... I used to be one of them) enter their addresses in their system, and use it to get home sometimes.

That is asking for disaster. Here is how to stop this from happening if you find your truck or car gone when you come out of the woods or off the water.

1. Don't leave your vehicle unlocked. I know it sounds stupid, but there are many harvesters and foragers that leave their vehicle unlocked in case someone from their party needs to get in, without them being there with the key.

SOLUTION Find a hiding spot that everyone knows before taking off. I now take a hide-a-key box with me, and hide it in the vicinity of the truck...under some leaves, rock, limbs and make sure that all know where it is. I was putting in on my truck, but my policeman neighbor said that the pro thief will know almost all the "normal" spots a key is hidden on the vehicle. Do what you feel is best based on the location where you are leaving your vechile

2. If your vehicle is stolen, don't list your home in the GPS as "HOME" or "OUR PLACE" or use your address (remember that your registration normally has your address on it)or something easily interpreted as your residence.

SOLUTION If you use your home coordinates on the GPS use something that only you will know for its way-point or location name. I use my dog's name. You can use anything that you can easily remember, but not too obvious that it is a "secret" address or location. I also throw in a few "ghost" coordinates and names to thwart and confuse any would be robber. (One of my Ghost's I list as "MY PLACE" is really the County Sheriffs office.)

These tips will not stop someone from finding your house, if they really want too, but there is no sense in helping them to pull up to your front door, while you are still sitting in the woods or on the dock wondering where your truck is.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits!

5Rivers Jim

PS I am now taking my vehicle GPS, and securing it in the trunk or lock box I carry with me in my truck. I know that if they want to get in, they will but I am going to make it tough for them. Also, I have been leaving my truck GPS home and using my handheld GPS, which I carry with me where ever I go harvesting or foraging. Little extra safety for getting home.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits - Is This All Wrong and For Nothing?

I have been looking for different markets for you to sell your Wild Harvest Profit commodities, and have been shocked by the things that I have found regarding this profession. I am not going to ramble, but I do want to get something out in the open.

Everyone that I have talked to of this pastime, has said that it:

"Is too narrow a market to really make any substantial profits. Not
enough folks are interested in pursuing this endeavor for the amount
of time invested and the return "


Let me respond. Is that such a bad thing? I have never had the notion or tried to imply that Wild Harvesting or Wild Crafting will make anyone who practices this a
" Kazillionaire".

I have stated that this is a way to make some or many dollars doing what many love doing....being in the wild, and enjoying the fruits of Nature.

Not having the whole outdoor community out...digging...cutting...pruning and on and on...is not a bad thing! It means that if your serious about making a few dollars during tough times, this is one of the ways to do it, and with little competition.

I have researched markets, and most of them are local and sometimes obscure, for the ordinary harvester.

That is what this site is about...helping to locate products....secure and harvest them...and the best way to sell or market them TODAY.

Now in and beyond 2010.

Now I will close this with a question.

What can I do to HELP you with Wild Harvest Profits?

I will answer any and all questions and inquires. If I don't know than I will tell you, but I will research the questions or comment, and give my best answer in future postings.

More on this in a future post.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits.

5Rivers Jim

Sunday, August 15, 2010

There Dry and ready for storage

I just finished drying and storing my May Apple Roots for shipment to the buyer...more about them to come....! I saw yesterday a HUGE stand of my next Wild Harvest bounty. I will be harvesting them in the next few weeks. Should bring in around $200 for the effort of a few hours digging, washing, and drying and storing for shipment. Best part is that the landowner is ecstatic that I want to harvest these. Said " Son, you can have all you can dig and carry...might even get my kids out there to help you dig....You sure you want these pests?"

Interested?

I am working on a white paper on Common Root Commoditiesthat can be profitable for the Wild Harvester or Wild Forager. I should have it ready in the next few days. Bookmark this site and look for the download link to come soon.

Now...I love reading about my passion...Nature and The Land. I recently started to read a history of a Wisconsin farmstead. It has captured my time, and is one of those books that makes you sad when you come to the end....you just want to live and experience the author's description of life as they knew it everyday

I love this book The Land Remembers by Ben Logan. It is one of those keep by the bedside for good dreaming... books.

While you are formulating your Wild Harvest for Profits plan this book will keep you happy and warm for exploring and harvesting the bounty of this wonderful Earth.

To your Wild Harvest Profits success!

5Rivers Jim

PS I used my handheld gps again to mark the next root haul, and four more sites next to it....why? The farmer will be harvesting these sites of grain soon and he will be cutting the tops of the plants that I want making location difficult. I will need to be able to pin point them when I go to harvest. This thing really saves me tons of time and trouble!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits - Keep Checking Drying Roots

Break Brittle Drying Roots.


Keep checking your drying roots. If you have had them drying in the shed, garage, attic, basement, wherever, make sure that they are being turned every 24 hours, and are Break Brittle! 

What does that mean?

When drying your harvested roots make sure that when you check them for dryness, that they actually break ......not bend..... when you check them in your hands like breaking fire wood sticks.

Never store your dry roots in plastic bags or boxes.  They will mold and then all that work is wasted, for no buyer will accept them in that condition.  Store them in a dry place, in paper bags, or boxes until time to ship. Check them often, to make sure that they are not sweating, or molding. If you do notice some moisture after putting in storage, then put back in your drier system and continue to take out moisture, until Break Brittle.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success.

5Rivers Jim

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Wild Harvest Profits History Tip

I said in a previous post that there was a plant that saved many families during the Great Depression from going hungry and homeless. They were paid 5-10 cents for 100 pounds of roots. Whole families dug this from sunrise to sunset, when ever it was found, and in many cases this was the only income that these families made for many months.

This plant Podophyllum peltatum, commonly called mayapple, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to wooded areas of eastern North America. (reference from Wikipedia)

It was harvested for it's medicinal properties for the topical use for viral and genital warts. It is readily harvested and the part most sought after is the root. This plant is toxic if the "apples" are eaten to excess, so be warned.

Is this plant still being Wild Harvest for Profit?

See my next post for more indepth information on collecting and making ready for market this easily found and harvested plant.

To your Wild Harvest Profits success.

5Rivers Jim

When you locate a stand of May Apples make sure that you can return to the exact spot for Wild Harvest Profits using my favorite handheld GPS.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Start Scouting now for Fall Profits

You need to scout your next Wild Harvest commodity now, before the first frost or colder weather makes that much sought after plant or root unrecognizable above goround. I am looking for stands of Burdock and May Apple now, and will mark them with my Etrex Venture HC and have a exact return spot when it is time to harvest. I did pretty well last year digging Burdock, didn't kill the market with tons of money, but more then paid for the first installment of my property taxes. (Taxes here in Wisconsin are outrageous!).

Get any screens yet? If you have another way to dry your bounty make a post and let us know your method.

Yours in success for Wild Harvest Profits

5Rivers Jim

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Rain and Humidity doesn't help Wild Harvesting

Well I don't know where you all are, but here in the Midwest, it is one of the wettest Summers on record. Had three inches of rain this weekend, and another 3 is on the way. COME ON FALL!

Have you been out making money Wild Harvesting? I have been digging roots and picking herbs, and it has been challenge to keep them from molding before I can market them.

I have a huge drier that my Dad made for me, and the herbs are not a problem, it is the roots that are giving me problems. I have a tip you to stop the mold destroying your hard work.

Window Screens!

I looked on Craigslist and found a guy that was selling all of his old screens, (got 20 large wooden cased screens for only $20) and I got them and now use them in my shed to put the roots on. Make sure they are not touching and have at least 12inches separation between stacked screens and then turn on a rotating fan and let the air blow across the roots. It will normally stop the formation of molds, and helps in drying the roots to a marketable dryness. If it is humid outside don't open a window to fresh air....it will act like convection oven and take for ever...if ever...for the roots to dry.

What am I wild harvesting and digging now?

See my post in the next few days on how harvesting these common plant roots helped many in the Great Depression survive.

5Rivers Jim

Saturday, August 7, 2010

The Start to this Blog was premature...Now We Are Rocking

When I started this blog I had a vision that the "Wild Crafting" community would jump right in there and post numerous tid bits of harvesting news and then this blog would be hopping with activity.

Didn't happen. Totally my fault. Being new to the internet and ways of contacting like minded folks caused this blog to bog down.

The reason is that I did not know how to reach those that I wanted to post on my blog about their experiences harvesting from Nature and making a few....to sometimes many...dollars each year:

    J.M. from Western Wisconsin harvested 2,256 lbs of Morels and sold them for $14.00/lb.....Profit $31,584.00 for three weeks work.

    K.R. From Minnesota harvests Black Willow in the Winter, and makes over $17,000.00 during the Summer.

    W.M. From South Dakota, follows local timber Loggers and from their cast offs makes $300 - 500 per month in his spare time.

    C.E.combs the beaches of western Florida, and makes $3,000 each Summer from cast off glass.


I have been talking to many "Wild Harvesters" and have found numerous things that many folks do too help bring in income from Nature. Well over 18 activities country wide and counting for the Wild Harvester to take advantage of. This skill is more important now then in years past with our economy, and that is what this blog is going to do: teach how, when, where, why, and what to harvest and profit LEGALLY from Nature

First and foremost, I am not advocating plundering Nature for a few bucks. I wrote the following awhile back, Wild Harvesting is it ethical? and it sums up my feelings toward the ethics of foraging and harvesting from Nature.

We will be looking at all aspects for Wild Harvesting For Profit. Not only will you learn the things to harvest, but also the best techniques for selling, the best tools, the best markets, and the best potential income.

Comments are always welcome, but please don't kill me with ethical dribble on how we should just let Nature alone. I am going to emphasize again that I only advocate ethical harvesting of this wonderful worlds bounties...enough said.

Book mark this site, and also follow us on Twitter and Facebook. I will have the first white paper on Wild Harvesting For Profit available for you in the coming weeks. Check back and look for the download link.

The last thing that I want to get out in the open is that I am make my living writing, publishing and harvesting things of and about Nature. I will have TONS of free and up-to-date content for those who subscribe to my blog and newsletter, but also from time to time there will be links to products and information that I think are of interest to us Harvester's and also that I make a few dollars from. This helps me supplement my harvesting and writing income, and also allows me to track down the best and most up-to-date markets and products for you to make money with. If this upsets you, then you are welcome to find another resource for Wild Harvesting for Profit. I am not being rude just honest with you.

5Rivers Jim


This is one of the most important tools that I have with me every time I leave the house. Last year alone it helped me earn $750 dollars more and cut down the time in the woods doing it. Learn more here.