Minnesota Harvester Handbook
sustainable livelihoods lifestyles enterprise Minnesota Harvester Handbook
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Acknowledgements
Financial and other support for the Harvester Handbook came from University of Minnesota Extension, through the Extension Center for Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (EFANS) and the Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP). Many individuals generously contributed to the development of the Handbook through original research, authorship of content, review of content, design and editng. Special thanks to Wendy Cocksedge and the Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology at Royal Roads University for their generosity with the Harvester Handbook concept. A special thanks to Trudy Fredericks for her tremen- dous overall eforts on this project.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT Dave Wilsey, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, [email protected] Julie Miedtke, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, [email protected]
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS AND REVIEWERS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) Mimi Barzen, Forester, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Tim Brigham, Coordinator, Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology, Royal Roads University Bob Carls, Wood Turner, Ripple River Gallery Elise Diederich, Policy Fellows Program (2011-12), H.H. Humphrey Center for the Study of Politcs and Governance, University of Minnesota Anne e Drewes, Instructor, Forestry Natural Science , Leech Lake Tribal College Carly Eichorst, Policy Fellows Program (2011-12), H.H. Humphrey Center for the Study of Politcs and Governance, University of Minnesota Ralph Fideldy, Proprietor, Timber Sweet Maple Syrup Dave Fuller, Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional, University of Maine Cooperatve Extension Anna Gerenday, Scientst (Retred), University of Minnesota; Past-President, Minnesota Mycological Society Tom Howes, Manager, Fond du Lac Resource Management Division Bill Jaeger, Traditonal Scandinavian Wood Carver Eric Jones, Courtesy Faculty, Anthropology, Oregon State University Mike Kempenich, Proprietor, The Mikeology Store John Krantz, Utlizaton and Marketng Specialist (Retred), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fred Livesay, Woodcarver, North House Folk School Jim Lutgen, Forestry Technician (Retred), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Julie Miedtke, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension L. Leonard Moose, Ojibwe Language Educator Mary Moose, Ojibwe Language Educator Erika Mork, Policy Fellows Program (2011-12), H.H. Humphrey Center for the Study of Politcs and Governance, University of Minnesota Elizabeth Nauertz, Forester, United States Forest Service Steve Netzman, Past-President, Minnesota Mycological Society HARVESTER HANDBOOK
Harlan D. Peterson, Assistant Extension Professor (Retred), University of Minnesota Extension Carrie Pike, Research Fellow and Interim Director of Operatons, University of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry Center Raymond Porter, Research Associate - Wild Rice, University of Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center Mike Reichenbach, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Jon Strom, Wood Carver, North House Folk School, Grand Marias, Minnesota Craig Van Sickle, Supervisor, State Forest Nurseries, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Carl Vogt, Extension Professor (Retred), University of Minnesota Extension Steve Vongroven, Wood Product Utlizaton and Marketng, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Dave Wilsey, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Gary Wya , Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension John Zasada, Research Silviculturist (Retred), United States Forest Service
PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER GRAPHICS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Acton Plan, Bugwood.org Dave Fuller, Extension Educator, Maine Cooperatve Extension Anna Gerenday, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota Diana Goemann, Executve Ofce and Administratve Specialist, University of Minnesota Extension Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, Bugwood.org George Hornik, Goods from the Woods Gary Johnson, Assistant Extension Specialist, Urban and Community Forestry, University of Minnesota Mike Kempenich, Proprietor, The Mikeology Store Ken Korczak, Writer and Blogger (Living Of the Land: Foraging, Organic Gardening, Nature) John Krantz, Utlizaton and Marketng Specialist (Retred), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Julie Miedtke, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Gary Mourin, Cra sperson John Peterson, Landowner and Maple Syrup Producer Carrie Pike, Research Fellow and Interim Director of Operatons, University of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry Center Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org Eli Sagor, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Dave Wilsey, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension John Zasada, Research Silviculturist (Retred), United States Forest Service
DESIGN, LAYOUT, EDITING AND PRINTING Dave Wilsey, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Julie Miedtke, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Trudy Fredericks, Executve Ofce and Administratve Specialist, University of Minnesota Extension Kathleen Preece, independent contractor B. Jim Boyd, independent contractor Pro Print, Inc., Duluth, Minnesota HARVESTER HANDBOOK
Introducton
Welcome to the Minnesota Harvester Handbook! This resource – developed by the University of Minnesota Extension, with the help of a broad network of contributors – demon- strates the breadth and diversity of useful natural resources found in and around the state’s woodlands and forests throughout the year.
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is known for its abundant water ways, flora and fauna. The state’s resources and the products de- rived from them help define Minnesota in more ways than one. Consider, for example, balsam boughs, maple syrup and morel mushrooms. Though found elsewhere, these products are commonly associated with the north woods and Minnesota, in partc- ular. Annual retail sales for balsam wreaths typically exceed $20 million and the industry provides seasonal employment and income opportunites for wholesale nursery operatons, local bough buyers, bough harvesters and wreath makers. Minnesota’s maple syrup producers are part of a roughly $100 million dollar industry that produces around 2 million gallons of syrup annual- ly. Here, Minnesota remains a small player with vast untapped potental in a growing internatonal market. This is to say nothing of the number of producers whose syrup is destned only for their kitchen tables and those of family and friends. Each spring, thousands of enthusiastc foragers comb the forests and woodlands of Minnesota in search of morel mushrooms. Not only are these individuals seeking one of nature’s prized edibles, which can sell for up to $20 per pound at farmers’ markets, they regu- larly observe and interact with large tracts of forested landscapes.
Minnesota’s abundant natural resources also help define the people of Minnesota. The state’s original inhabitants, more recent- ly established communites of varied ancestry and the many new cultures that increasingly characterize the changing face of Minnesota all rely on the state’s natural resources in various and o en shared ways. In this regard, natural resources are com- mon elements to otherwise diferent identtes and livelihoods. Minnesota’s woodlands provide important meetng spaces for these diverse cultures and the knowledge and practces associated with these spaces ofer opportunites to build cultural bridges between the region’s people. Gathering represents a potental venue for sharing knowledge about specific plants, products, practces and people.
This first editon of the Minnesota Harvester Handbook is only a modest startng point to presentng the wealth of resources and products available in the region. It includes some well-known favorites, like maple syrup and morels; lesser-known products o en overlooked, like juneberries and ramps (wild leeks); and a few novel items, like chaga (a medicinal fungus). Many of the products have commercial potental, like balsam boughs and character wood. We hope that readers will explore new and difer- ent ways to incorporate natural resources into their lifestyles and livelihoods, and will learn more about the region’s products and people in the process.
University of Minnesota Extension believes the informaton within to be accurate at the tme of publicaton. All content was de- veloped in collaboraton with knowledgeable practtoners and harvesters, and every page was reviewed for accuracy and quali- ty. The sector is dynamic, however, and informaton about product availability, policy and markets may change quickly. Conse- quently, University of Minnesota Extension is not responsible for any costs or damages that may be incurred as a result of the use of the informaton in this handbook.
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Using the Harvester Handbook
The Minnesota Harvester Handbook contains two, complementary main elements. The first, the basic tenets of harvestng – bi- ology & ecology, social, markets, and policy – apply to all of the products covered in this version and to the many others that are not. In other words, the basic tenets are core content common to all products and explain the basic concepts associated with resource claims, access and sustainable uses.
The second, fact sheets, address a selecton of important and interestng natural resources and present the specifics of the basic tenets within the context of a single product. We intend to contnue developing fact sheets so that the resource contnues to grow and be er reflect the full breadth of harvestng actvites across the state and region.
The Handbook is organized to facilitate ease of use. Two tables of contents provide diferent means to access product infor- maton, or points of entry. The seasonal approach organizes products by their approximate availability throughout the year. As exact harvest tmes vary by region and even locaton, as well as by year, weather and market conditons, product availability may span across seasons. The additon of a ‘ + ’ before or a er the seasonal notaton indicates extension of harvest tme in either directon. For example, [ FALL + ] means that fall harvest may extend into early winter.
The second table of contents is organized around product clusters, which group products based on their category of use, such as edible mushrooms or décor. The intent is to highlight related products so that users might become familiar with new or diferent products used in a similar way. A single product may be included in multple clusters. For example, pine cones harvested for seeds difer from cones harvested for use as holiday décor.
The header of each fact sheet contains coding that alerts the user to a product’s main season and primary product cluster. The header codes serve as another tool to direct readers from one product to others related by season or use.
Each product fact sheet contains the relevant life form and part used, for example tree and sap. Fact sheets also include the sci- entfic name(s), common name(s) and, whenever possible, the name of the product in Ojibwe, Spanish and Hmong. Naming rep- resents a considerable challenge, partcularly when it concerns edible products with potentally dangerous look-alikes or rela- tves. Harvesters must exercise utmost cauton around the use of names as a means to identfy products.
The Harvester Handbook provides a point of entry to the world of natural resource gathering and should be used in conjuncton with other plant identficaton resources. Many of the fact sheets include references for just such companion publicatons. Re- gardless of the resource employed, only those individuals capable of making a positve identficaton should harvest and use nat- ural resource products, partcularly wild edibles.
The editors and contributors wish the users of this Handbook the best in their eforts to learn more about some of Minnesota’s wonderful natural resources and products, and to advance along the path toward making sustainable resource use an integral part of their lives and livelihoods.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS | SEASONS
Spring
Maple syrup...21 Summer Fiddlehead fern...27 Birch bark...35 Sweet tooth mushroom...59 Yellow morel...31 Oyster mushroom...39 Lobster mushroom...63 King bolete mushroom...43 Chicken-of-the-woods mushroom...67 Juneberry...47 Chanterelle Thimbleberry...51 mushroom...71 Basic Tenets Wild rice...55 Biology & Ecology...7 Social…11 Markets...13 Policy...17 Any me
Fall Small diameter wood Balsam boughs...75 ...107 Hen-of-the-woods Winter Character Basswood...95 mushroom...79 wood ...113 Princess pine...83 Chaga...99 Firewood...103 Red osier dogwood...87 Tree cones and seeds...91
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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION
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TABLE OF CONTENTS | PRODUCT CLUSTERS
Edible Mushrooms [ED M] Bark, S cks & Yellow morel...31 Lobster Woods [BS&W] mushroom...63 Oyster Birch bark...35 mushroom...39 Chicken-of-the-woods Red osier dogwood...87 mushroom...67 King bolete Tree cones and seeds...91 mushroom...43 Chanterelle mushroom...71 Basswood...95 Sweet tooth mushroom...59 Hen-of-the-woods Small-diameter wood...107 mushroom...79 Character wood...113 Basic Tenets Other Biology & Ecology...7 Saps & Syrups Chaga...99 Social…11 Firewood...103 [S&S] Markets...13 Maple syrup...21 Policy...17 Edible Greens Holiday & Berries [EG&B] Décor [HD] Fiddlehead fern...27 Balsam boughs...35 Juneberry...47 Princess pine...83 Thimbleberry...51 Red osier dogwood...87 Wild rice...55 Tree cones and seeds...91
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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION
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BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY
Natural resource harvestng enhances Min- o en important food sources for non- Biology: Pertaining to nesotans’ lifestyles and livelihoods. Exam- human animals. Fruit and seed availability living organisms. ples include gathering, huntng and trapping. o en influences the presence of certain ani-
It is through such actvites that many indi- mal species. viduals, families and friends recreate and Ecology: Pertaining to experience the outdoors and the region’s VEGETATIVE STRUCTURES living and non living ele natural se ngs. In additon, these actvites This category refers to non-reproductve ments of the system as can ofset expenses by gathering and plant parts such as buds, leaves, stems, bark well as their interrela huntng food and other useful materials. and roots. Because the category is broad, on. They can also generate income through sale careful consideraton must be given to ex- of gathered materials or value-added prod- actly what is harvested and how harvest Individual: One of a par ucts made from them. This handbook en- might afect present and future plant condi- cular species. courages responsible, sustainable harvest ton. For example, collectng the apical buds practces. Responsible harvest begins with a may substantally influence future plant Popula on: A group of basic understanding of the biology and ecol- growth and structure. Cu ng stems triggers ogy of harvested plants and animals. new growth in certain plant species, but in organisms of the same others it may kill the plant. Some tree spe- species that occupy the cies, such as paper birch, can easily survive a same area. What are you harvestng? properly done bark harvest, while other It is usual to think of harvested plants and trees will not. In all plants, roots provide Community: Any group animals as products: wreaths, baskets, jam . structure and functon, but in some, roots ing of popula ons of . . or dinner! Yet, responsible harvest re- also represent an important mechanism for di erent organisms living quires that we recognize exactly what we new growth. are taking, biologically speaking, and how together.
our harvest afects the health/growth of the SAPS Apical: The bud from individual plant/animal and the broader This term refers to various substances se- populaton and community of which it is a which new growth oc part. In short, responsible harvest requires curs. that we understand not only what we get, but also what we take. For this, harvesters should consider four basic categories.
REPRODUCTIVE PARTS This category refers to plant parts associat- ed with reproducton of the plant popula- ton: fruits, nuts and cones, all of which are seeds or seed vessels or, in the case of mushrooms, spore vessels. O en these parts have high nutritonal value in the form of oils, proteins and sugars. Simply put, some of the things that humans most appre- ciate, such as sugars, fats and even beauty, are the incentves that plants, which cannot
move, ofer to get animals (including hu- mans) to distribute their seeds to new loca- tons. Our fruit and nut harvests are actually Above: Frozen maple sap. Photo by seed harvests. Also, these fruits and nuts are J. Peterson. HARVESTER HANDBOOK
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BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY
Habitat: The living place creted by plants. In Minnesota, maple and you might want to know when certain pine birch produce the saps most likely to be of cones release their nuts/seeds so that you of an organism, charac interest to harvesters. Tree sap flows most can properly tme your decoratve cone har- terized by its living heavily in spring months when trees are vest. (bio c) and physical coming out of winter dormancy. The sap (abio c) proper es. brings stored sugar, other compounds and water to areas of new growth. Historically, How are you harvestng? certain pine trees were also tapped for their Technique refers to how a plant or animal is saps, which were distlled into various prod- harvested and is another important consid- ucts such as turpentne. eraton for responsible harvest. One aspect of technique relates to the actual harvest WHOLE PLANTS OR ANIMALS method. For example, bough pickers might Sometmes, harvestng means taking the break or snip them from the branch. Collec- whole plant or animal. In such cases, under- ton of whole plants might involve cu ng at standing what you are taking is just as im- the base of the stem or pulling out the plant portant: male or female, adult or juvenile, with its roots. Diferent techniques yield rare or abundant. In some cases, it may be diferent results, both in terms of product advantageous to only harvest females to quality and efect on the plant and plant manage populaton growth, as in the case of habitat. deer. Likewise, it may be beneficial for the populaton to harvest only juveniles so that Another aspect of technique is disturbance, strong adult plants may contnue to reseed which refers to the harvester’s influence on the area. plant habitat, the local environment in which the plant or animal lives. Disturbance is not necessarily negatve, and some level of dis- When are you harvestng? Plants and animals are living things that re- spond to seasonal changes and develop over tme. For these reasons, when we harvest can be as important as what we harvest. Important consideratons include periods of growth and dormancy, periods of reproduc- ton, and life stages and cycles. For example,
Above: Watch your step in the spring! UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Above: This cone is ready for a wreath. Blueberries are flowering. Photo by EXTENSION Photo by D. Wilsey. D. Wilsey.
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BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY
turbance is unavoidable. At its worst, sub- Other harvesters? stantal disturbance can limit future viability The third element of intensity is the recogni- of a populaton in a partcular locale, either ton that, although we o en gather in soli- by impeding new growth or favoring growth tude, we typically share natural resources of another species, including invasive spe- with other beings, human and non-human, cies that might like disturbed soil. who may have similar interests. A clear un- derstanding of harvest intensity requires Harvesters who recognize the importance consideraton of the actons of other har- and potental efects of technique and dis- vesters we may never see, but whose ac- turbance can, and o en do, act to minimize tons combine with our own to influence the negatve or undesirable outcomes. Harvest- conditon and abundance of the resource ers learn about, develop and share best we gather. practces through word of mouth and publi- catons such as this one. Examples of good harvestng practces that help reduce nega- Concluding thoughts tve impacts include, but are not limited to: The practce of harvestng is as old as hu- manity, and you don’t need to be a biologist encouraging loose seed to fall to soil or ecologist to do it right! Sustaining your tamping the soil a er harvest preferred harvest actvites over tme and using an open basket to allow mush- space, however, requires some considera- room spores to spread ton of plant biology and ecology, even if leaving a proporton of harvestable ma- called by some other name. Take some tme terial behind to reflect on what you are harvestng and to avoiding harvestng in some areas learn about the techniques and practces replantng. that have been developed over tme to en-
sure the ecological, economic and social HARVEST INTENSITY sustainability of harvest. Responsible harvest requires consideraton of harvest intensity, which includes three diferent aspects:
How much? Understanding harvest intensity in a partcu- lar locaton begins with understanding how much you are taking when you gather. This might be measured in pounds, gallons, bushels or some other measure. It also re- lates to how much is actually present at the site.
How o en? The second component of harvest intensity Harvest only what you need and think in a partcular locaton is how o en you about those who will follow. gather in that area. (How much) X (How o en) is the simplest way to determine your own harvest intensity for a given area.
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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION
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SOCIAL
Much like our abundant lakes, forests and or consumer. These identtes are demon- forest resources help define Minnesota and strated and reinforced through actons, such its people. While Minnesota has but one as taking deer or grouse, seeking morels, forest resource, its large and diverse human gathering boughs to make holiday wreaths. populaton collectvely stewards that re- These actons represent critcal interactons source’s value and contnuously challenges between individuals and their environment. its limits, by showcasing diferent and new They have tremendous value to the individu- uses. This handbook provides an opportuni- als involved, o en symbolizing independ- ty for natural resource harvesters and gath- ence, skill, traditonal knowledge, and long- erers, regardless of their partcular interests, standing connectons to place. to achieve a be er understanding of the countless and emerging uses of our shared Forests and forest resources also contribute forest resource. In doing so, readers have to Minnesota’s social fabric through creaton the opportunity to further develop individu- of shared identtes, such as family, commu- al and shared identtes and livelihoods that nity or culture. Just as an individual would feature and celebrate the products that are have difculty claiming the ttle of forager special to our region. without actually foraging, a social group would have difculty claiming such identtes without the ability of its members to prac- tce certain actvites on at least on some level. It is essental to bear in mind the im- portance that partcular groups place on the ability and/or rights to practce those natu- ral resource actvites that help to define, at least in part, who they are.
Shared connectons to natural resources represent potental cultural bridges be- tween Natve American communites, more recently established communites of varied ancestry, and the many new cultures that increasingly characterize the changing face of Minnesota. O en, interest in resources and resource related actvites overlap, a fact that can lead to cooperaton in the best Above: Family tradi ons. Photo by instances, or conflict in the worst. A be er D. Wilsey. understanding of some of the social issues related to natural resource harvest can Connectons to the land form at individual strengthen the social fabric that bonds the and societal levels. In many cases, people state’s diverse inhabitants. In contrast, chal- use natural resource actvites such as gath- lenges or threats to access and harvest ering and huntng to create and demon- rights are o en met with dramatc respons- strate individual identtes. Many of us know es. Ignoring these issues has the potental to someone who identfies him or herself as a weaken and undermine these tes between hunter, a forager, a wild cra er, or some groups and to the land. For these reasons, it other similar type of natural resource user is essental to understand the ways that nat- HARVESTER HANDBOOK
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SOCIAL
Livelihood: The capabili ural resources and related actvites contrib- sources realm. Scarcity refers to limited re- es, resources, and ac v ute to our own individual and social ident- sources, of course, but also to limited access tes as well as those of others. to abundant resources, which results, in i es required to create a part, from things like land ownership, man- for a means of living. Livelihood can be an important component agement priorites and regulatons on public of both individual and social identty. Threats lands, limited knowledge and other informal Contemporary subsist to livelihoods, therefore, represent a sub- barriers to access and use of natural re- ence: The incorpora on stantal social challenge. Although tmber sources. Throughout, this handbook advo- of subsistence oriented and non-tmber resource harvest can be cates positve actons like educaton, re- ac vi es into contempo compatble, issues such as liability, incidental spec ul communicaton and sharing of rary livelihood strategies, damage to valuable resources or high trans- knowledge as strategies to overcome some which may include ac vi acton costs o en make it easier to limit re- of these actual and perceived barriers. es and resources not source access and use as a means to retain the economic viability of important liveli- In conclusion, this handbook provides an viewed as tradi onal. hood actvites. Respec ul communicaton, opportunity for natural resource harvesters sharing of knowledge and patence are tools and gatherers, regardless of their partcular that can lead to more diverse and sustaina- interests, to achieve a be er understanding REFERENCES ble natural resources uses. of the lifestyle and livelihood motvatons Pierce, A.R. (2002). Social that may drive themselves and others to act A related concept—contemporary subsist- and react in certain ways. Minnesota’s natu- Issues. In P. Shanley, A.R. ence—may be unfamiliar to many readers. ral resources are abundant and ofer a Pierce, S.A. Laird, & A. The term refers to the use of one or several means to develop compatble identtes and Guillen (Eds.). Tapping natural resource actvites to support broad- livelihoods that feature and celebrate the the green market: Cer fi er livelihood strategies. Contemporary sub- products that are special to our region. ca on and management sistence might describe approaches taken, of non– mber forest willingly or out of need, by many rural resi- products. London, UK: dents and members of culturally defined Earthscan, Ltd. communites, such as the Anishinabe. In con- temporary subsistence livelihoods, natural Jones, E.T., McLain, R.J., resource use is not a means to make a living, so to speak, but it is a practce that may con- & Weigand, J. (Eds.). tribute substantally to a person’s life or live- (2002). Non mber Forest lihood, economically, socially and/or spiritu- Products in the United ally. In such cases it is less o en a queston States. Lawrence, KS: of how much (product, money) than of in- University Press of Kan tentonally actng in a way that reinforces sas. identty or culture. Some recognizable exam- ples in Minnesota might include members of immigrant or established Hmong communi- tes fishing urban rivers, Tribal Band mem- bers spearing and ne ng walleye and the proliferaton of raised-bed gardens on urban lots.
In reality, scarcity likely represents the great- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA est underlying challenge to harmonious and EXTENSION cooperatve behavior in the natural re-
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MARKETS
Minnesota lifestyles and livelihoods are en- sequences of commercial harvestng actvi- CAUTIONS riched by the harvestng of natural resources tes on plant or animal populatons, the Minnesota statutes o en – including gathering, huntng and trapping. broader biotc community and the greater allow for harvest of cer Livelihood benefits accrue directly, though ecosystem. Efects can be direct, as would use and consumpton of harvested products, be the case over tme if a plant were har- tain forest products for and indirectly, through the exchange and vested faster than it can reproduce, such as personal use but do not sale of harvested products, in raw or pro- was the case with American ginseng. They allow collec on for com cessed forms. There is no reason to assume can also be indirect. One example might be mercial uses. that sustainable harvestng and market- that poor harvest techniques make plant oriented harvestng are incompatble. How- populatons more susceptble to predatory ever, sustainable market-oriented har- insects or diseases, such as in the case of Bio c: Pertaining to living vestng requires basic understanding of mar- birch bark. things. ket consideratons. ECONOMIC ISSUES Ecosystem: A community Economic issues relate to potental setbacks or failures of commercial strategies relatng of living and nonliving to factors such as supply and demand or things. economies of scale, to name a couple. For example, a buyer may refuse to do business Ceded territory: Lands with you because you cannot provide suf- ceded to the United cient product to justfy a pickup. Likewise, States government by you may find that you cannot foresee Na ve American na ons, enough sales to justfy the cost of permits through various Trea es, and harvestng equipment. in exchange for certain
rights to hunt, fish and SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES Social and politcal issues relate to wri en gather on ceded lands. and unwri en claims to partcular resources and associated customs. A recreatonal mushroom gatherer in a public space, for example, might receive a much diferent recepton from park ofcials or other gather- Above: A buyer solicits balsam boughs on ers should his or her gathering become com- a public thoroughfare. Photo by D. Wilsey. mercial. Cultural and ethnic diferences in resource harvest and use might also lead to misunderstanding and challenges. One of
Issue areas the most important social/politcal consider- Four general issues influence the success of atons (and misunderstandings) in Minneso- markets for natural resources and natural ta pertains to Natve American gathering resource-based products. Should you decide rights on ceded territories around the state to pursue market-oriented harvestng, you (see image next page) and treaty rights asso- will most likely encounter one or all of these ciated with these territories. issues, at least to some extent. In practce,
many of these issues are interconnected. MANAGEMENT COMPATIBILITY
Finally, it is important to consider the com- ECOLOGICAL ISSUES patbility of management of public and pri- Ecological issues relate to the potental con- HARVESTER HANDBOOK
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MARKETS
Formal markets: Markets think, “I should consider doing this to make some money every year.” In the la er case, governed by regula on it pays to do some basic market research. in which par cipants re port transac ons, pay taxes and generally ad Market research - here to legal require four basic questons ments. There are lots of materials and guides availa- ble to help with business planning and mar- Informal markets: Mar ket research. One goal of this publicaton is kets that are unregulated to keep it simple, to give you an easy way to or that operate in spite start thinking about topics that might seem of regula ons. complicated at first. Market research essen- tally boils down to asking four questons.
Market: A market is one 1. WHAT DO I SELL? of a variety of systems, Is it a raw material (like berries)? A value- ins tu ons, social rela added product (like jam)? Think seriously ons, procedures and Above: Ceded territories in Minnesota, about what your product is to the end- infrastructures through Source: keeperso hewater.org. customer. Is it really just jam, or is it north- which goods and services ern Minnesota in a jar? Is it forest steward- are exchanged. vate lands with commercial harvest and ship through sustainable harvest? Is it a local gathering. While resource management job? Is it the Minnesota lifestyle? Knowing goals and gathering objectves may be mutu- Structure: The physical what you sell can help you decide how best ally beneficial in some cases, incompatbility arrangement of the mar to sell it and, therefore, create demand for may undermine commercial harvest ven- your product. ket that results from in tures. For example, habitat restoraton areas terac ons and rela on with valuable products might be highly vul- 2. HOW DO I CONNECT TO THE MARKET? ships. nerable to disturbances caused by harvest. It is important to understand market struc- ture and how you connect to the final con- Scale: The volume of Markets decoded sumer. Do you sell directly? To an intermedi- product bought or sold We directly and indirectly encounter mar- ary? Online? Knowing how you connect is for a given period of kets every day: the grocery store, a farmers important because it influences costs, mar- me. market, online shopping or at the gas pump. ket access and price. Selling to an intermedi- What exactly is a market? Rather than as a ary may result in a lower price but likely Value added: Physical or place, think about a market as a variety of takes far less tme than making many individ- ual sales. On the other hand, telling your or other transforma ons to systems, insttutons, relatonships, proce- your product’s story may be far more dif- raw materials that in dures and infrastructures through which goods and services are exchanged. cult through an intermediary. crease their value.
Sometmes we just come across an oppor- A related consideraton is market formality.
tunity to sell raw materials or value-added Laws and regulatons govern formal markets, products. Someone notces that you make where transactons are reported in some beautful holiday greens arrangements and manner. In contrast, social understandings and agreements typically govern informal UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ofers to buy 20 for a community event. You might do it, and that is that; or, you might markets, and transactons are less likely to EXTENSION be reported. Consider the degree of formali-
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ty for your market, why it may be the way it Scope: The geographic is, and the potental social, economic and extent of the market, ecological implicatons of the way the mar- both in terms of obtain ket functons. For example, product buyers ing supply and mee ng and other important intermediaries may not call specific a enton to their existence if demand. the market is informal.
3. HOW DO I FIT IT? Likewise, you should understand how what you sell and how you connect fit within the larger market system. Market scope refers to the geographic extent – both for supply and demand - of the market: local, regional, Selling to a wholesaler (above) versus sell natonal, internatonal. Scale refers to the ing directly to end consumers (below) in amount (or volume) that is sold in a given volves fewer transac ons, but typically period of tme. Time is another considera- entails a lower price. ton. Is the market seasonal? Is it growing or shrinking over tme? Does anyone else do what you do? To put it simply: Understand the big picture but operate at your specific level.
4. IS IT WORTH DOING? In the end, you will need to determine if the actvity is worth doing, whether for financial or other reasons. Making money is not the only reason to harvest wild products; for many harvesters, it’s not their main motva- ton. ucts and make samples of your own to show There are many diferent ways to begin to potental buyers and others who can pro- answer the above questons: vide constructve feedback.
TALK INVESTIGATE Talk to harvesters, growers, brokers, buyers, Investgate compettors, challenges faced by vendors, store owners and employees, for- others in the business, competng products esters, neighbors, friends and anyone else (substtutes), prices (at all stages of the mar- who has potentally useful informaton on ket chain), year-to-year trends, seasonality, how markets for your product(s) work and value added optons, producton and quality why. standards, common and unexpected prob- lems. USE Use phone calls, personal visits, libraries, the Internet, the Chamber of Commerce, univer- Concluding thoughts sites and local businesses. Buy similar prod- Market-oriented or commercial harvestng is not for everyone. Many livelihood benefits HARVESTER HANDBOOK
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accrue to harvesters of wild goods without when you do so commercially, it is important REFERENCES them ever entering the market. However, for to understand the market and the potental Neumann, R. P., & Hirsch, some harvesters, markets represent an ap- that market demands might have to positve- E. (2000). Commercializa pealing opton for generating income or ly or negatvely influence good harvestng on of non mber forest even ofse ng the expenses associated with practces. products: Review and their favorite gathering actvites. Whenever analysis of research. Bo you harvest natural resources, but especially gor, Indonesia: CIFOR.
Wilsey, D.S., & Miedtke, Notes J. (2009). Management and marke ng of non mber forest products. In What do I sell or want to sell? M. J. Baughman, C. R.
Blinn, J. G. DuPlissis, E. Sagor, A. S. Gupta, D. Drake, . . . G. Wya .
(Eds.). Woodland stew ardship: A prac cal guide for Midwestern landown How do I connect to the market? ers. Saint Paul, MN: Uni versity of Minnesota Ex tension.
How do I fit into the market system?
Is it worth doing?
Advantages: Disadvantages:
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION
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There are many places, urban and rural, open to the public, but one must determine if CAUTIONS harves ng plants is legal before collec ng on these lands (or be ready to run and hide). Get permission — and Sam Thayer in Foragers’ Harvest (2006: p.19) some mes a permit — before you harvest. Be certain that you have permission before products, fixed periods of tme appropriate
you harvest. It sounds simple but, in prac- for harvest are codified in formal or informal tce, this maxim can be quite complex. regulatons. They may relate to biology, as in Minnesota statutes o en growth or reproducton, as well as social allow for harvest of cer Permission to harvest begins with a clear consideratons, such as safety and accessibil- tain forest products for understanding of where you intend to har ity. personal use but do not vest or, more to the point, on whose land. allow collec on for com Land ownership and use rights are some- Finally, permission to harvest, with or with- mercial uses. tmes referred to as land tenure. At the sim- out a permit, o en depends on the intended plest level, is the land private or public? use of harvested material. In the case of Within these designatons exist numerous fruits, berries, and mushrooms, harvest is Land tenure: Land owner additonal categories that influence access o en allowed without a permit, so long as ship and use rights as and harvest rights. Those categories will be the intended use is personal consumpton. addressed in greater detail below. Policies o en change once harvest becomes defined by law or other a commercial endeavor. Changes in intend- accepted social ins tu Another important thing to understand is ed use may dictate need for a free or fee ons. that permission to harvest is a functon of permit or may lead to outright prohibiton. what you intend to harvest. Diferent own- Harvest for educatonal use is sometmes Personal consump on: erships and even management units within permi ed within published regulatons. Use of a product or prod ownerships typically have diferent manage- ucts by the individual ment objectves and, consequently, rules Land tenure harvester, his or her fam and regulatons for harvestng. And even if a ily, or similar uses not landowner gives you a wri en authorizaton Complexity lies in identfying and under- income oriented. to harvest on her land, you stll cannot gath- standing whose land you are on, harvest er bird nests, to ofer one example, as most policies for that ownership, and determining Minnesota birds are migratory and there- whom to ask for clarificaton and, ultmately, Commercial endeavor: fore fall under the United State’s Fish and permission. Use of a product or prod Wildlife Services Migratory Bird Treaty Act. ucts for the purpose of The same is true for rare or endangered PRIVATE LANDS income genera on or Over 75 percent of Minnesota’s land is pri- plant and animal species. some other market vately owned, according to the Minnesota based benefit. Department of Natural Resources. Regard- In some cases, when you harvest represents a third consideraton. For many natural less of ownership, it is necessary to obtain permission before entering private lands. Trespassing is a misdemeanor; all conserva- ton and peace ofcers enforce trespass laws.
The process for obtaining permission to har- vestng on private land is straigh orward and essentally the same whether you see an area that you’d like to explore or see a Image courtesy of Minnesota Department resource that you’d like to gather. of Natural Resources. HARVESTER HANDBOOK
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Plat map: A scale map First, identfy the property owner. This might tmeframe for harvest permission and the be done through direct inquiry, asking landowners name, phone number and signa- showing legal divisions around town, consultng local land depart- ture. and subdivisions of land. ments or by checking plat maps. Private land includes ownership by individuals as well as PUBLIC LANDS Private land: Land deed non-government legal enttes and business- Around one-quarter (12.8 million acres) of ed to an individual or es. Large private industrial landowners con- land in Minnesota is held in public ownership other legal en ty. trol substantal acreage and it may be of val- status. Most federal land (3.4 million acres) ue to learn more about their specific rules falls within the boundaries of the Chippewa Public ownership: Public for access and resource use. In any case, and Superior Natonal Forests in north cen- resources held and man contact the land owner in person or in some tral and northeast Minnesota and are man- aged in trust by a govern other way, such as by phone or email. Re- aged by the United States Forest Service. gardless of method, you should approach State land (8.4 million acres) is primarily ment agency — federal, the individual respec ully and prepared to managed by the Department of Natural Re- state, county — for the share informaton about who you are, what sources and is distributed among various benefit of the public. you are doing and why. management units. The remaining public acreage is held by county and local land There is a chance they will not know what management agencies. the product is or how it is used. You have an opportunity to educate that landowner Though straigh orward, the federal, state about a valuable resource that they own. and local designatons for public land Understand that obtaining permission o en “ownership” are likely insufcient for har- depends on quickly developing a rapport vester needs. Each public ownership catego- with the landowner such that they don’t feel ry contains within it numerous management
taken advantage of, vulnerable or threat- categories that typically have diferent man- ened. You might ofer to share some of what agement objectves, strategies and, conse- you collect or, if the product is of substantal quently, guidelines for use. economic value, an amount of money. For example, if you are asking for permission to Federal lands include: tap a sugar maple stand, you might ofer a natonal forests quart or two of maple syrup. natonal parks natonal monuments Ideally, you should get permission in writng. wildlife management areas, and This formality is especially important if you Indian Reservatons. plan to return at a later tme or another day Land designatons have their own regula- when the landowner might not be there. tons for harvest of non-tmber and other Wri en permission is also important if you forest resources. For example, gathering of intend to sell certain products. For example, edible fruits and nuts for personal consump- licensed balsam bough buyers are required ton is allowed in natonal forests, but tap-
to see and record a seller’s permit (for public ping maple trees is not allowed without a lands) or wri en permission from a private permit. Indian Reservaton lands have their landowner before transactng. If you harvest own management objectves and regulatons regularly on private lands, it might be a good in place, typically excluding actvites of non- idea to develop and bring a basic form that Band members. Check with local manage- can be brought along. The document should UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ment contacts to get specific informaton for include your name, a descripton of the federal land use rights and regulatons. EXTENSION property, products to be harvested, a
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ment districts, such as the Three Rivers Park District in the western metropolitan area. The Three Rivers Park system manages al- most 27,000 acres of regional parks, trails and facilites, including land under the juris- dicton of countes and cites within the ar- ea. Three Rivers does not permit any type of harvestng on district lands.
Above: State balsam bough permit, $48 for up to 4 tons in 2012. Image courtesy of Recommendatons Minn. Department of Natural Resources. Learn the regulatons for the types of prod- State lands include: ucts that interest you at each management level applicable to your harvest region. state forests