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University of Kentucky CCD Home CCD Profiles College of Agriculture, and Environment

Wildcrafting Non-Timber Products — An Overview

Introduction Kentuckians have been collecting products from , meadows, and other natural for generations. This practice, commonly referred to as , is a tradition in many areas of the state, especially Appalachia. Plant materials other than timber that are harvested from the forest are generally referred to as non- timber forest products (NTFPs) or special(ty) forest products.

Although often collected for personal use, many Marketing wildcrafted materials also have commercial value NTFPs are specialty items that fill a very narrow and could offer a means of providing additional market niche. Many are seasonal either in terms income. lot owners may harvest NTFPs of availability or marketability. The NTFP to provide temporary income while waiting for collector needs to make sure there is a demand their timber stand to mature or as another means for their products and that they can meet the to supplement their income. NTFPs can provide buyer’s specifications. As with any niche item, a way to diversify and expand an existing it is critical to secure a market in advance for enterprise. NTFPs. Direct market outlets, depending on the item collected, can include farmers markets, The term NTFP is also applied to that are roadside stands, nurseries, locally owned grocery “farmed” by purposely manipulating the forest stores, craft stores, and the Internet. Agritourism environment, such as in the -cultivation events and county fairs can present opportunities of . This profile, however, is limited to for selling wildcrafted goods. Bed-and-breakfast the discussion of commercially valued NTFPs inns and Kentucky tourist gift shops may also be that are harvested as they occur naturally on interested in purchasing native plant materials one’s own property. Separate profiles cover and/or products. the importance of sustainable wildcrafting and some of the NTFPs offer an advantage to legal issues associated with farmers who market directly to wildcrafting. consumers at farmers markets

Agriculture & Natural • Family & Consumer Sciences • 4-H/Youth Development • Community & Economic Development

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. and other direct market outlets. Products such as advance. More often than not, there will be no nuts, decorative or ornamental plants, and plant established outlet and the wildcrafter will need by-products can help fill up a market stand into to locate potential buyers and create their own the fall months. Preserves and candies may be market. Product diversity will be essential to the manufactured to amend cash flow in the early success of any NTFP wildcrafting enterprise. months. Growers with property that includes timber and other marginal may Because local wildcrafters may not be able to find that adding low-input NTFPs extends their supply a dependable quantity of plant material, marketing window into “off-season” months. they are often unable to compete at the wholesale level. Cooperating with other wildcrafters, Some NTFPs, particularly medicinals, have either informally or by a formal marketing an established wholesale market. Generally, cooperative, is a way for smaller harvesters to wildcrafters interested in these larger markets sell meet the demands of these larger markets. It to a broker or wholesale buyer either at a buying is advisable to contact the wholesale buyer in station or company location. Wild ginseng is an advance to be sure the correct plant species at the example of a medicinal that is regulated by the right developmental stage is being collected. A U.S. Fish and Service and can only be written contract helps to protect both the buyer sold through licensed dealers. A list of dealers and the collector. can be obtained from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Processing NTFPs can extend their shelf and transform a seasonal raw edible, such as Market Outlook wild or , into one that can be Nationwide, NTFPs represent a market sector marketed year round. It also adds value to the that has expanded with interest in native plants raw product, increasing the potential for greater and holistic lifestyles. Natural and organic food returns. Preparing gift baskets of wildcrafted products have experienced tremendous growth edibles, as well as other packaging techniques, in response to consumer preferences. An are other ways to add value. Adding value to increased interest in local products, combined decoratives can mean crafting raw materials with local and state promotional efforts, such into finished products. Holiday greenery, such as the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s as wreaths, roping, and table décor, represent a Kentucky Proud program, could also help growing industry. fuel a greater demand for crafts and value- added products made from native wildcrafted Examples of NTFPs materials. A long and varied list of culinary, medicinal, and decorative NTFPs can be collected in the wilds of Marketing NTFP products will require a Kentucky for commercial use. General examples considerable investment in time and , not are provided in the sections below. Refer to to mention creativity. Aggressive marketing the table for a partial listing of some specific, techniques will be needed to move these potentially valuable native and naturalized plant products. For example, selling wildcrafted genera present in Kentucky. products to the floral trade will require targeting florists who specialize in imaginative and unique Culinary arrangements. Locating florists of this type can Edible products for culinary uses include fruits, be difficult; many florists prefer the predictability berries, and nuts from forest and . of purchasing plant material from large west Leaves of some herbaceous plants may be used wholesalers that can fill orders several months in for greens or dried herbs. A number of wild species can also be collected for for timber harvest. and branches culinary use. Some of these, such as morels, may be suitable for basketry and other craft are considered a delicacy and are highly prized. projects. Potpourri products made from the right Mushroom collectors must be particularly combination of dried aromatic leaves, flowers, careful in their identification since there are often herbs, , and needles are another popular poisonous look-alikes that can be mistaken for way to use natural products. the edible species. Some culinary products may be marketed with Regardless of whether the wildcrafter owns little or no processing, such as fresh berries, their own or has entered into a legal pawpaws, and nuts. However, because of their arrangement with another landowner, it is a good fragile nature, wild fruit and berries are often idea to inventory the forest property. The inventory processed to extend their shelf life. The possible should include the common and scientific names products that can be prepared from wildcrafted of all plant material, the approximate quantity, fruit are seemingly endless: wines, juices, jellies/ comments on quality, the date, and other pertinent jams/preserves, syrups, cream/sherbets, notes. A detailed property map will be a useful sauces, candies, sauces, and baked goods. tool in identifying the location of potential plant Mushrooms and herbs may only require minimal materials. Due to seasonal variations in flora, processing since they can be sold fresh or dried. the inventory should be conducted at least three These dried products also lend themselves well times a year for the first few years. Depending to such value-added products as dried soups, on the wildcrafter’s own botanical background, sauces, dip mixes, and teas. this type of detailed inventory could require the services of a professional. Medicinals Plants or plant parts with therapeutic value Harvesting, Storing, and Processing may be marketed for use as medicinals, food Before collecting any plant material, be sure supplements, or herbal remedies. These products the target plant is not considered endangered, are often dried and sold to wholesale buyers or threatened, rare, or at risk. Refer to the various dealers. up-to-date national, state, and local plant lists available online. Suggested sites are listed below. Decoratives Following sustainable collection procedures This category includes plant materials used for will help ensure the continuation of the species handicrafts, as well as those utilized in the floral and the preservation of Kentucky’s flora. industry. The types of plant materials that can be used for these purposes are extensive and varied. Wildcrafted products are harvested by hand or Branches that are unique, bearing berries, or with simple hand-held tools. Harvest and storage encrusted with provide interesting accents times will vary depending on the plant material to floral arrangements. Some dormant woody and use. Timing of harvest is critical for products stems can be sold either before or after they have that deteriorate quickly after reaching their peak. been forced to flower. Flowering stems, Some products, such as wild berries, can have boughs, cones, and pods have numerous a short shelf life once harvested. Fragile and decorative uses. Shelf fungi, , , and perishable products may need to be frozen or nuts may be of interest to the floral trade or local refrigerated as soon after collecting as possible. craftsmen. Wood carvers are often interested in This could mean carting along an insulated ice obtaining thick bark pieces from trees such as chest. Additionally, because many products are and walnut. Bark should be collected seasonal, it is important to know exactly when only from dead or dying trees, or those marked they will be available. Materials destined for value-added food products NTFP Economic Case Study: BlackW alnuts often need to be processed as quickly as possible. Black walnuts are one NTFP for which Processing methods include drying, canning, the economics may be easily quantified. baking, and juice- or wine-making. Value- Hammonds Products (Stockton, MO) is added food products must be processed in full the country’s primary purchaser of in-shell compliance with all applicable government food black walnuts. There were about 20 safety requirements. locations in Kentucky in 2011, plus others in neighboring states, where Economic black walnuts could be delivered in Considerations the hull (drupe). These buying stations Wildcrafting can mechanically remove the hulls and mean a relatively then purchase the nuts on behalf of small investment in Hammonds Products. Purchase price terms of equipment. for native harvest black walnuts usually Supplies may ranges from about $0.10 to $0.14 per include pound. The only materials necessary and reference for collection are gloves along with materials, buckets, bags, or other containers to shears, trowels, shovels, and other hand-held transport the walnuts to the dehulling station. tools. Collecting bags or containers will also be needed. A portable cooler or insulated container A healthy person can gather 75 to 100 pounds will be required by some collectors. of nuts per hour, depending on walnut density and ease of collection. At $0.10 per Despite the apparent low initial investment in pound, this would result in a return of $7.50 supplies, wildcrafting can be a financially risky to $10.00 per hour before transportation business. Markets tend to be small and seasonal to the dehulling station. While some people with unpredictable prices. Wholesale prices on enjoy the recreational aspect of collecting this some items, such as mushrooms, can vary on a NTFP, return to labor for walnut collecting daily basis. Additionally, the market demand after transportation costs barely results in for many NTFPs, such as herbal medicinals, can minimum wage. The benefit is for recreation, fluctuate drastically from year to year. Because tradition, or removing the walnuts from yards, these are niche items, it may not take great forests, and fields. quantities to a market and lower prices. Delivering a consistent quantity of any one Harvesting NTFPs might also present an may also be very difficult since opportunity for the landowner to combine the quantity and quality of NTFPs depends on collecting with timber management tasks in nature. the fall. In addition, walnuts can be an “entry level” crop for youth starting to take interest Due to the amount of time and effort spent in in farm and forest production. Savvy on-farm gathering NTFPs, return to labor may vary marketers with black walnut trees on the farm greatly and may rarely even equal minimum might also present gathering the walnuts as a wage. For wood lot owners and others with potential agritourism activity. easy access to native plant material there is a potential for higher profits, presuming they are This case shows that, while yielding minimal willing to invest the time and finances needed economic returns, creative approaches to to locate or create a specialty market for their gathering an NTFP can yield positive economic products. results — both tangible and intangible. Native and naturalized plants of Kentucky with potential commercial value

Common Name Scientific Name Potential Uses Ferns, Mosses, etc. , Christmas Polystichum acrostichoides decorative Fern, marginal wood Dryopteris marginalis decorative various species decorative on branches Mosses (sheet & log ) Hypnum spp.; Thuidium spp. decorative Mistletoe Phoradendron spp. decorative stems with berries

Mushrooms Boletus edible spp. edible 's mane Hercicium erinaceus edible Morel esculenta edible Oyster mushrooms Pleurotus spp. edible Puffballs Calvatia spp. edible Shelf fungi various species decorative

Herbaceous plants Bear grass spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana medicinal flowers, , leaves Cattails Typha spp. decorative spikes Creasy sallet Barbarea verna edible leaves Dock Rumex spp. edible young leaves Partridgeberry Mitchella repens decorative vines, foliage, berries Watercress Nasturtium officinale edible leaves

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines Beech Fagus grandifolia edible nuts Chokecherry Prunus virginiana edible fruit Hawthorn Crataegus spp. decorative branches , American Corylus americana edible nuts Hickory (shellbark) Carya laciniosa edible nuts Gaylussacia spp. edible fruit Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia decorative branches Mulberry Morus rubra edible fruit Pawpaw edible fruit Possumhaw Ilex decidua decorative stems with berries Redbud Cercis canadensis decorative branches, forced Sycamore Platanus occidentalis decorative seed balls Tuliptree, tulip poplar Liriodendron tulipifera decorative fruit clusters Walnuts, black edible nuts Winterberry, common Ilex verticillata leaves for tea, decorative berries Witchhazel, common Hamamelis virginiana medicinal Selected Resources the Virginia Mountains and Piedmont (Virginia On the Web Tech, 2012) • and Non-Timber Forest http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/ANR/ANR-23/ANR- Products, FOR-110 (University of Kentucky, 23NP.html 2009) • Seeing the Non-timber Forest Products for http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for110/ the Trees (Inside Agroforestry: Volume 16, Issue for110.pdf 2, USDA National Agroforestry Center, 2007) • : , FOR-117 1.7 MB file (University of Kentucky, 2009) http://nac.unl.edu/documents/insideagroforestry/ http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for117/ vol16issue2.pdf for117.pdf • Wild Mushrooms (Ohio State University, • Non-Timber Forest Products (Kentucky 1996) Department of Natural Resources ) http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3303.html http://forestry.ky.gov/ • Wildcrafting for the Practicing Herbalist resourceutilizationandmarketing/Pages/Non- (Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, no Timber%20Forest%20Products.aspx year) • Decorative Plants of Appalachia: A Source of http://7song.com/files/Wildcrafting%20Herbalist.pdf Income, AIB-342 (USDA Forest Service, 1970) 4.1 MB file Books in print http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/ • Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central CAT87210110/PDF Appalachians. William C. Roddy. 2003. • Income Opportunities in Special Forest University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY. Products, AIB-666 (USDA, 1993) 536 pp. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/ • Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky. Thomas G. agib666/agib666.htm Barnes with Deborah White and Marc Evans. • Nontimber Forest Products (Virginia Tech) 2008. University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, http://www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/ KY. 220 pp. • Non-Timber Forest Products and • Trees and Shrubs of Kentucky. Mary Implications for Forest Managers (University of E. Wharton and Roger W. Barbour. 1994. Minnesota, 2002) University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY. http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2002/ 592 pp. nc_2002_Nauertz_001.pdf • Wildflowers and Ferns of Kentucky. Thomas • PLANTS Database (USDA-NCRS) G. Barnes and S. Wilson Francis. 2004. http://plants.usda.gov/ University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY. • Marketing Specialty Forest Products 352 pp. (University of Minnesota Extension, 1999) http://conservancy.umn.edu/ bitstream/94129/1/7278.pdf • Native Fruit and Trees and Shrubs of

Reviewed by Tom Barnes, Extension Wildlife Specialist (Issued 2008, Revised 2012) Photos by Matt Barton, University of Kentucky (fall woods); George Chernilevsky, Wikimedia (basket of mushrooms); and PLANTS Database, USDA-NCRS (black walnuts) June 2012

For additional information, contact your local County Extension agent