Very little information is available for people who want to sell forest crops and similar products.

What you can or can not sell will depend on your ability to connect and introduce your crop to potential buyers.

With a few exceptions, forest crop growers report frustration with "trial and error" approaches. Since this is the only marketing technique widely used, many people are reluctant to start growing something their not sure has a market.

Start on a small scale so your risks are reduced. Sell to people you know or customers you already have.

Regulated crops, like American ginseng, provide well-defined channels for selling your goods.

Virginia Tech's Non-Timber Forest Products web site has current marketing information.

Marketing Specialty Forest Products (PDF 1.2M) - Bulletin from the National Agroforestry Center describing techniques for identifying markets and reaching new customers. "None one has ever made money growing spcialty forest products . . .They make money selling them."

Marketing Specialty Forest Products in Minnesota - Online article from the University of Minnesote Extension Service describing good approaches to packaging, adding value, and advertising forest crops.

Here is a short list of possible marketing channels:

• Give away your product (forest berry jam, birch frames, forest potpourri) as a gift with information on how to purchase more.
• Partner with a local roadside stand
• Obtain shelf space at a natural foods cooperative or market
• Place a classified ad in a regional publication
• Promote your forest crop through a local nature club
• Provide an "open house" to introduce your product to neighbors and residents of your community