$15,000 Winter Project

Well I hope that I didn't get all of the readers to excited about today's post. It covers a commodity that is readily available all over the US and Canada.

I am writing another free report that will cover this Wild Harvest Profit product, and I should have it done in the next few days...but I am going to let you know what it is now....

DIAMOND WILLOW

One harvester finds stands of this tree during the Winter in low areas and marsh lands. He takes a saw, some heavy duty pruning shears, a sled, some rope and some "muscle" and cuts these trees and brings them home to finish making into his kit's that he sells during the Summer Home shows in his area. 

He has been dong this for a number of years and has been making a "nice" slice of change each season. He averages $15,000 doing this activity.  It is not a get rich quick rip off, just good honest work, and hustle on his part.

I'll go more in-depth with my report that will be available to my readers shortly.

Personal Observation:

I check everyday for information throughout the US and Canada on markets, wild harvestable commodities, tips, tools, and techniques for the Wild Harvester or Forager. 

I post some of that information here....BUT....there is a huge amount of BS covering this activity all over the internet and among certain environmental groups. 

A tremendous amount of information is way outdated. If a harvester were to follow those outdated rules or guides they would be in serious trouble either with the law, or trying to sell a commodity that is no longer in demand or the market has died.

Some environmental groups think that "anything" that comes from a wild harvest or forage is an attack on Nature and is depleting the order of the world. They advocate making any wild harvested item sold for a profit illegal. No matter what it is...pine straw, hickory nuts, blackberries....you name it.

The reason for the above paragraphs is that this is OUR profession, and that profession depends on current information on the legal aspects of wild harvesting, and also on the ethical guidelines of profitable harvesting.

Follow that laws that cover whatever commodity that you pursue.

Follow sustainable harvesting practices to assure future products. 

Be proud that you partake of one of this country's oldest and honorable activities...Wild Harvesting For Profit.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success.

5Rivers Jim

To get your free report on "Essential Tools for the Wild Harvester" click here or just fill out the form on the right and it will be on it's way

New Topic for Wild Harvest for Profits

The number of  wild harvesters and foragers that have read the interview with Dan Wiebke, of Wiebke Fur and Trading Company has been great.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions, make sure you comment here on the blog.

I have 18 different things that can be harvested and foraged legally from the wild, that you can make a profit from.

My next post will cover one of the activities that can be done best over the Winter months. One Wild Harvester pulls in over $15,000 yearly harvesting this readily available tree.

Stay tuned for the next post.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

Interview With Dan Wiebke-Ginseng Buyer Part Two

This is the second part of a interview of Questions and Answers with Dan Wiebke, President, Wiebke Fur and Trading Company.

Dan and his staff are some of the main buyers in the Midwest US for a number of years. You can catch part one of his interview here.  Interview With Dan Wiebke-Ginseng Buyer.

Before we get into the final questions for Dan, I'd like to remind you of the FREE report that you can download 

"ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE WILD HARVESTER"

Just take a minute to click here  fill in your name and email address and the report will be on it's way to your email FREE.

Now let's finish talking with Dan:

WHP:  What prices have you experienced in the Ginseng Market?  Highest - Lowest.

DAN:  When we first started in the business we were paying around $100 for dry root.  We have paid up to $1000/lb for dry root.

WHP:  What is the current selling price and for what quality?

DAN:  Current selling price - $475 - $500 for average to good quality.  Better quality would bring a premium.

WHP:  In your experience with this plant, do you think that this commodity is destined for listing as an endangered plant species?

DAN:  Endangered species - I don't feel it will make the endangered species plant list.  It is an important industry in many parts of the US.  It has proven that it can be a sustainable commodity with the current harvest seasons.

WHP:  When is the best time to sell your Ginseng to a buyer?

DAN:  Timing is very difficult to figure out.  Markets go up and down with supply and demand.

WHP:  Finally...do you have any funny stories or happenings that you would like to share...we all love "personal" stories.

DAN:  Several years ago, two of my best diggers came in on a Thursday night (opening week of Oktoberfest*) with a big haul of very nice root for which I paid them a premium.  They walked out the door with just short of $10,000 in their pockets.  On Monday morning, they called me needing to borrow some gas money - they had blown their Ginseng money over the weekend enjoying Oktoberfest.

* Oktoberfest is a annual event here in La Crosse, WI. Much partying and carrying on for a whole week.

Thanks Dan.  I know that the readers and followers of Wild Harvest Profits Blog really appreciate you taking the time to answer some of their questions. We wish you much success in this years market.

Also, if you go to their website you can see the other commodities that they deal in. Click here. 

These are a great group to deal with, I totally endorse doing business with them.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success.

5Rivers Jim

Interview With Dan Wiebke-Ginseng Buyer

Dan Wiebke, President Wiebke Fur Company.

Today is Part One of an interview that Dan Wiebke, of Wiebke Fur and Trading Company, did for me specifically on the selling, handling, and transportation of Wild Harvested Ginseng.

Dan has been in this business for a number of years, and is one of the Mid West US main buyers and sellers of natural renewable resources.

Wiebke Fur and Trading Company has two locations in the Midwest:

Address:
Wiebke Fur and Trading Co.
110 Rose Street
La Crosse, WI 54603

Telephone:
(608) 784-4402

Fax:
(608) 784-5453

Address:
Wiebke Fur & Trading Co.
P.O. Box 126, 218 Portland Ave.
Eitzen, MN 55931

Telephone:
(507) 495-3312

Fax:
(507) 495-3469

These guys know the market and always strive to get you the best price. Give them a call or check out their site Wiebke Fur and Trading Company.

Lets get to the questions:

WHP:  When do you normally first start to see Ginseng hitting your buyers sites?

DAN:  Ginseng season opened Sept 1.  We usually buy some green ginseng on that first day.

WHP:  Do Ginseng sellers "wait" for the best price throughout the buying season?

DAN:  Some Ginseng diggers wait for the best price because that is important to them.  Other diggers sell daily.

WHP:  What are the legal requirements for wild harvesters or foragers selling Ginseng to your stores?

DAN:  All sellers must have a WI Ginseng Harvester's license.  All roots must be five years old or older.  Sellers from outside WI must have their roots certified by the state in which they reside before shipping the product to us

WHP:  What do you recommend harvesters or foragers do to provide the best product for your buyers?
     a.  Cleaning
     b.  Drying
     c.  Packaging
     d.  Shipping or transportation to your stores
      f.  Other

DAN: (In order of the questions above)
     a.  Rinse in warm water

     b.  Drying on cardboard.  Dry area above cupboard or attic.

     c.  Packaging - box or paper sack

     d.  Shipping- if shipping, the Ginseng must be boxed carefully.

WHP:  What is the largest haul from one seller you have seen in a single season?

DAN:  15 - 20 lbs is a large quantity.  Our best diggers have sold us around 100 lbs of green ginseng in a single season.

My next post I will finish up with the last five questions and answers from Dan.

Don't miss this part.  

Dan let's us know how he feels about the future of Ginseng harvesting, and also a great story about two diggers that went from rich to broke in a weekend.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits Success!

5Rivers Jim

Message from Ginseng Buyer

Dan Wiebke emailed me today, and said that the season is "Crazy" and that he has some of the questions that I asked on your behalf hand written.

He said that he would have them ready for us shortly. I am really looking forward to his input in this profession and todays great market for ginseng and other Wild Harvested commodities.

Short post, but full of JUICE!....(You know...the stuff that us TOUGH GUYS are made of!)

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits Success!

5Rviers Jim

"Prices for Ginseng highest in Years" AP Reports

Saw this in this mornings paper.  It concerns "cultivated" Ginseng, but it will surely affect the price of wild ginseng this year.

"WAUSAU, Wis (AP)

Wisconsin's ginseng crop is commanding the highest prices in decades.....The root crop is going for an average of $40 a pound this season, compared with last year's average of about $27. "

This is great news for us! Buyers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and both US Coasts are bargaining for the "in short supply" of this years cultivated crop. That can only lead to better prices for wild harvest Ginseng.

Stay Tuned for an updated market price by the end of the week for wild Ginseng.

Wild Harvest Profits TIP:

Locate stands of Black Willow or "Diamond Willow" now for harvesting this Winter. These much in demand shafts are an excellent source of  income over the long Winter Months here in the Mid West.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

Look at these Laws! Ginseng in West Virginia

Just a little heads up on some laws that are being considered or have been enacted on Ginseng digging, collecting and harvesting. This proposal from West Virginia should make you sit up and pay attention.

"Harvesting Ginseng"

Bill Grafton, Wildlife Specialist, WVU Extension Service
Dave McGill, Forest Resources Specialist, WVU Extension Service Aug. 2005
 

West Virginia has a new law that regulates the growing, digging, and selling of ginseng.

  (The W.Va. Division of Forestry will administer the regulations after the legislature approves them.)
 

A few of the regulations are described here.

It is now unlawful to plant ginseng seeds or plants and to dig, collect, or gather ginseng on public lands in West Virginia.

The digging season for wild ginseng is from September 1 through November 30. A grower may also harvest woods-grown or wild simulated ginseng during that same period. 

Cultivated ginseng may be harvested throughout the year.
 

Permits and Regulations:
 

A ginseng digger MUST have written permission on their person when harvesting wild ginseng on another person’s enclosed (fenced) or posted lands.  This sound familiar...huh?
 

People who harvest ginseng must buy a $10 annual permit. All commercial plants and roots must be sold to a licensed dealer so the state’s total harvest can be certified and monitored. Plants must be five years old to be harvested from the wild.
 

More information about ginseng may be obtained from the W.Va. Division of Forestry (304)558-2788).

This law proposal is making the rounds in some of the major states that harvest large crops of wild and wild simulated Ginseng.

Keep up to speed with your states requirements and proposals. This is our profession...don't lose this time honored activity to a non-outdoors politician seeking approval with the far left. IMHO!



Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!




5Rivers Jim