CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – Your backyard fruit trees could bring in some extra cash this spring and summer, if you’re growing the right kind.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is offering to buy wild red mulberries and plums from residents as part of its “early seed buy season.”
MDC will purchase red mulberry at at $6 per pound, an opportunity that officially began Monday. MDC will purchase wild plum at $1.95 per pound, beginning on July 7.
People can bring their fruit to MDC’s office in Chillicothe, Missouri, on a walk-in basis or call 660-646-6122 to make an appointment with MDC staff. The office’s operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
MDC leaders noted that red mulberries can be found as a small tree on moist-wooded slopes in shaded areas. The should not be confused with white mulberry, which often grows in fences or yards out in the sun. MDC says residents can bring some leaves to the office to confirm the species before they harvest the fruit.
Meanwhile, conservation officials will only accept wild plum fruits that are ripe and red, orange or yellow in color to. No partially green fruit will be accepted.
MDC will purchase a wider variety of seed in the fall when more species become ripe. For more information, contact the MDC Chillicothe office at 660-646-6122.