Autumn Olive Harvest
|
Goals:
Autumn olive is an invasive shrub that has overwhelmed natural resource managers and landowners alike since it was introduced in the 40s to vegetate eroded areas. Since then it has invaded old pastures and fields across the country side. Invasive species removal programs are wide spread and often well supported, but autumn olive still remains a constant character in our old fields. While we do not recommend planting autumn olives, as they are extremely invasive, we do see an opportunity for old fields completely taken over with these shrubs to be thinned and managed for berries to include plastic netting when the berries are ripe to reduce potential for birds spreading the seed. Overall, this may decrease the reproductive potential of the shrub while providing a sustainable and low input revenue opportunity to harvesters. Progress: In fall 2014, harvesters across Southwest Virginia picked up tarps, hooks, sticks and buckets to shake autumn olive berries from the shrubs. Harvesters were paid $2/lb and reached a total harvest of 34,000 lbs of autumn olive berries with the primary winnowing station located in Elk Creek, VA. The Southwest Virginia Autumn Berry Association is in the process of marketing the berries to New York City smoothie businesses as the berries are high in antioxidants including lycopene. If the market takes off we may expect more harvests in the future. Join the list serve to stay posted on the harvest this year. |
|
