As we move from spring to summer, we pause to appreciate the land around us and what it shares. Mother Nature offers us so many gifts, but knowing how to find them and use them is a practice that is up to us to learn. The art of wild harvesting allows us to mindfully collect the bounty around us, and lean into the ancient wisdom of plant medicine.
What is wild harvesting?
Wild harvesting is the collection of plant and mushroom material outside of farming or other organized cultivation. Plants, mushrooms, or parts of either are gathered, usually by hand, from populations growing in their natural habitats. People also call wild harvesting foraging or wild crafting. People typically use the plants or mushrooms they gather this way for food, medicinal, and/or spiritual practices.
What is wild crafting?
Wild crafting is another term for wild harvesting or foraging, but more so speaks to taking the harvest and then turning it into crafts, body care, tinctures, teas, and more.
Are wild harvested plants organic?
What are the environmental impacts of wild harvesting? How does it differ from conventional farming?
Responsible wild harvesting takes a small amount of the plants in an area, allowing the rest to regenerate for future harvests and for use by other organisms in the ecosystem; responsible harvesting maintains functional ecosystems and natural relationships. Best practice is to think of it as taking 1 out of every 10 plants, so never collect more than 10% of what is growing.
Conventional and organic farming typically requires full or partial clearance of a section of land to allow for a higher density of cultivation, the growing of plants that aren’t typically found in the area, and/or easier harvesting and management.
Converting conventional growing operations to organic has some benefits and may be more sustainable, but responsible wild harvesting will always have the lowest impact and will do the most to preserve ecosystems.
How can I ethically wild harvest plants?
We have you covered! Read our guide here.
