Tutorials

For generations, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have provided valuable economic resources in rural communities.  The purpose of organizing tutorials is to provide simple economic, production and conservation information for landowners about some non-timber forest products of Appalachia to sustainably produce NTFPs.  These tutorials will serve as examples for other NTFPs.  Although the Appalachia region has ideal forest settings to grow NTFPs, not all of them have marketable and economic potential.  These tutorials describe some common and economically viable NTFPs and provide sources of information to assist in the development of NTFP enterprises.  Markets for NTFPs change and are sometimes difficult to enter, therefore it is necessary to understand ecological, economic, and management issues.  

We have selected to formulate online course tutorials, presented on this webpage, because they provide economic potential for individuals interesting in cultivating NTFPs.  Some of the plants described in the tutorials have more information than others, because there may be little documented information available.  Some plants have been claimed to possess medicinal properties.  None of these plants should ever be substituted for medication prescribed by a physician.  A physician should be consulted first, before consuming any of these plants to help provide relief of an ailment.

The following tutorials are currently available: 

• Writing a Business Plan Adapted for the Wild Harvest Sector
• Growing Slippery Elm

We'd like to hear from you!  If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve this tutorials section, please fill out the short form below.

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