Ginseng- Questions for a Buyer

Just a quick update.  I am still waiting for Dan Wiebke to get back with me....I know that this is a busy time for him, so have some patience.

I have finished the white paper “ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE WILD HARVESTER”.

You can get a copy by going here  . Fill in the form and  a copy  will be sent to you.

It's FREE!        Grab a copy now!  

If you have any other tools that you can not live without when in the field...let us know.

Comments posted on the blog are answered personally by me and are always welcome.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit success!


5Rivers Jim

Questions for a Ginseng Buyer.

Well, folks that initial interview with a Ginseng buyer has not come to fruit. I found out that this guy was just a blow hard, and didn't have anything of any value.....but I have something even better coming.

I contacted an established buyer that has stores in a few midwest states. He has been in the business for numerous years, and has a wealth of knowledge for wild harvesters and foragers.

He is Dan Wiebke, one of the main players at Wiebke Fur Company. here in La Crosse, WI.

He has agreed to answer some of your questions on the current market for Ginseng, its handling, transportation, etc. I just sent him a Q &A  list this morning, so as soon as I get some responses I'll be posting them here on the blog.

Also, Dan and his company buy other wild harvest commodities, and I am going to twist his arm and get some insights on the other products and his advise when presenting them to buyers.

Be patient this is a busy time for him and his staff, but I am excited about getting this information and getting it out there for you.

I am working on a white paper covering " Essential Tools for Wild Harvesting Profits".  I need some of the true and tested tools and items you take into the field when you are harvesting or foraging. I have mine, but I am interested in learning what other folks feel is "absolute" on their belts when in the woods or on the water. Post a comment, let's see what you can't live without when harvesting.

Your in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

Video on Ginseng Hunting

This video will help with  recognizing  this much sought after "Green Gold" commodity. I think that this YTTN Hunter is a pretty good teacher.  He did a better job then I did in the woods filming, so enjoy




This is a good video of hunting ginseng.  It will give you a good general reference to recognize the plant.

Make sure that you know your state's laws as to how many spikes are required before you dig the root.  Some states require 5, some only 3.  Look up your rules and always follow them.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5Rivers Jim

Updates on DNR Plant Posse and Ginseng Market Postings

Well the government is showing why we love it so much.....no word yet on my proposal of forming a plant posse from Wild Harvesters or Foragers.

Well it really didn't surprise me. Our DNR is inherently slow to respond to anything, except fining folks and enforcing really strange rulings and laws. (My personal opinion only). I'll keep after them. I think that I will write a letter and send it to them where they have to sign for it.  Then let's see what will be what.

On the interview with our local "sang buyer, he had to bow out for our scheduled time.  I talked to him yesterday and he is rescheduling for sometime next week.

The markets for wild ginseng for October is $400 - $450 per pound. Not bad for this time of the year. Talked to a local harvester, and he has 9 pounds ready for market.  Do do the math....that's a nice payday.

Golden Seal root is going for $10 - $15 per pound, and if you have them the leaves are selling for $2 pound.

A commodity that is in demand this time of year is the "Reishi" mushroom. The mushroom is listed as Ganoderma  lucidum and grows throughout much of the United States. It is not harvested for fresh market eating but it is dried and sold by the pound to meet a huge demand from the Oriental Market. It is relatively easy to to identify, and it is not that hard to harvest and dry. It is bring in about $10 - $25 per pound. It is important to contact your buyer to see if there are any specific requirements that they have regarding it harvest and curing.  One buyer only wants them "Flipped  upside down and air dried" CHECK before you waste your time in the woods. I have put a few pictures to get you started on ID'ng these great money makers just below this post.

 The Picture on the left shows a few pounds of the dried mushrooms. They have a shiny exterior looking like they are almost shellacked with a finish.

The picture on the right is of the mushroom growing in the woods. You can locate this "Reishi" growing on rotting, downed, or live wood.  Look for holes and mold on the mushrooms.  If they are present leave it.  It is not marketable. Don't waste you time.

You can get a thorough description of this mushroom by referring to Michael Kuo's book 100 Edible Mushrooms  This book is my bible for both foraging for mushrooms to sell, and also to consume personally.

Next post I will be giving some addresses and businesses that will buy your harvested commodities.

Also I will be reviewing more of the book Wildcrafting: Harvesting the wilds for a living : brush-picking, fruit-tramping, worm-grunting, and other nomadic livelihoods

This book has open new markets for me to harvest, and I am sure that you will see some possibilities for increased income .

Leave me comments, your thoughts or questions on Wild Harvesting and Foraging for Profit.

Your in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5River Jim

Images courtesy of Google Images.

Ginseng Market Update-Interview With a Buyer

Hey All.

I just got off the phone with one of the local buyers of Ginseng, and he has agreed to an interview Thursday on how the market is doing this year.  I will try to record our conversation, but if that doesn't work, then I will transcribe important tid bits and post them.  This should be a good time and great information for selling your commodity. Stay tuned for the post. I will also be listing some of the buyers throughout the US, so don't miss out.

Your in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

DNR response to Plant Posse!

Just a quick post to let you know that I called the Wisconsin DNR today, and they are going to contact me later this week on if and how they can use any data we can get for them on invasive plant species. I know that they are a government agnecy and their wheels of progress grind exceedingly slow, but I will keep after them and post my news here.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits Success!

5Rivers Jim

Wild Harvest Profits - Do We Need a Plant Posse?

If you have been following my blog for any length of time you have picked up on the fact that I love this activity, but I also respect the source of all our our treasures that we harvest and profit from. We need to protect our environment to assure continuation of Wild Harvesting for Profit.

Today I read a piece in the paper about the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge requesting sportsmen and sportswomen to volunteer for being a plant "posse" while venturing into the area.

This posse is being sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and they are asking these folks to stop by the refuge headquarters, and pick up camera's and hand held GPS to take pictures and mark location of invasive species within the refuge.

What a great idea for combating the spread of foreign invasive plants in our precious Nature.

I am stunned that for once a governmental agency is thinking and using easily available technology to assist and monitor a huge threat to our forests and waters. Also, it made me think of taking this a step further.

Let us form our own plant "Posse".

When in the field or harvesting, lets take note of strange plants and research the posibbility that they may be invasive. 

I take  this small camera and  this GPS with me Every Time I venture into Nature. No matter if on a hike to find new commodities, or just a walk with my wife or grandkids. I take pictures of  plants that I want to harvest but want to double check species later at home, and I mark their location for later profit with the GPS. (see this previous post)

What if we as a group take pictures of those plants that we know are invasive, mark their locations via GPS, and send this information to the local DNR or State Wild Life Agency?

I think that this information would be gladly accepted, and would form the basis for a plan for eradication of those invaders, or at least give the present location to watch. Seeing as how this is Sunday, and no state or local offices are open, I am going to contact my local office on Monday and see what they think of this proposal. I'll let you know what I find out.

Post your thoughts or comments on this "Posse" idea. I answer all posts within 24 hours.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5Rivers Jim