SALAL PRESERVATION: A FOREST FARMING VENTURE

THE DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING OF SPECIAL FOREST PRODUCTS (NON-TIMBER COMMDITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM THE FOREST) REPRESENT A MAJOR NEW DIRECTION FOR TIMBER-DEPENDENT RURAL COMMUNITIES, RURAL AREAS WITH ACCESS TO PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FOREST RESOURCES. THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT NEW ECONOMIC AVENUES FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES. A FOREST FARMING PROGRAM IS PROPOSED, BASED ON CULTIVATING AND ENHANCING NATIVE STANDS OF SALAL. A VALUE-ADDED COTTAGE INDUSTRY IS INCLUDED, TO DYE AND PRESERVE SALAL AND SEVERAL OTHER SALAL AND SEVERAL OTHER EVERGREENS AND RELATED FOREST CROPS NOW SOLD TO THE FLORAL TRADE. THE ACTUAL PRESERVATION OF SALAL IS DONE IN THE FIELD TO MINIMIZE LOSSES AND ENSURE THE VERY BEST QUALITY OF FINAL PRODUCT. THIS INCREASES THE VALUE OF FRESH SALAL FROM $0.38/LB TO MORE THAN $4.75 LB., REPRESENTING AN INCREASED VALUE OF MORE THAN 1,000-PERCENT.