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

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.