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Once the decision to forage has been made, it is time to start researching. Winter time
is the perfect time to really dig into research because most food that is foraged grows in
the spring, summer, and fall. Every season has an abundance of plants that can be
harvested, but most people tend to stay inside during the cold, dark winter months. The
word research can bring to mind hours studying in the library. Cramming information
that is boring and dry into an overwhelmed brain. However, researching a new interest
is fascinating and can really awaken a sleepy, bored brain. Before beginning to
research, there are a few things to prepare: location, supplies, time.

Location is probably the most fluid aspect of research. At the beginning, it is simply
sitting down with a notebook and writing down some goals for foraging. Ask questions:
Do you want to have an inexpensive food source for your family? Do you want to find
more natural medications that will prevent frequent doctor visits? Do you want to find
plants that can be used for other things, such as pest deterrents? Identifying the what
and why of foraging helps guide the research.

Why use a notebook when some type of electronic can help keep track of the research?
Use both. The first step is simply brainstorming. Sometimes, writing something on paper
helps organize thoughts, and will open the mind to other questions. Foraging is also not
a city activity; stomping through the forest and climbing trees is not out of the question.
Most places will have poor to no cell reception, so having a notebook will help.

Once the initial brainstorming is complete, set up a more permanent research area. A
computer, notebooks, books, pens, pencils, and anything else that will help organize
thoughts and things. This space will grow, so be sure to allow space for new additions.
Make sure the location is comfortable. It can be mobile as well. Whatever makes the
most sense, is comfortable, and will get the research energy moving.

What kind of supplies are needed for a solid research session? Well, the most important
thing is something to drink: coffee, tea, soda, water, etc. Research can be enthralling,
so having something to drink at hand will help with focus. Next up, snacks, of course!
Something easy to munch, not too messy, and won’t go bad when it’s ignored for
awhile.

Research requires supplies. Most people will just use their cell phone to look things up,
maybe screenshot or bookmark the most interesting articles, and move on about their
day. To become an expert forager, research must be more in depth. A notebook is
going to be the most powerful item on your supply list. A small travel notebook will be
excellent for scouting adventures. The notebook can be used to write down locations,
draw pictures, describe terrain, and press plants for later comparison if there isn’t a cell
signal.

A computer of some sort is going to make research easier. A desktop, laptop, or tablet
will be the best option for lengthy research. Having a printer will also be beneficial. The
ability to print articles will allow note taking and portability. Three ring binders and tabs
will help keep the printed items organized and neat. A good supply of pencils and pens
will be important. There is nothing worse than trying to write down a thought or question
and not having a pen within reach. Notebooks are going to fill up quickly. Make sure to
have at least two extras at all times. Buy them in bulk during back to school sales and
save some money. Be sure to keep enough printer paper and ink on hand. This list is a
good starting point for research.

Visiting the library will be an important aspect of research. While almost everything can
be found on the internet, older books will have information, insights, and historical
knowledge that may not have made it into the archives of the Web. Look for books that
are specific to the local area. New York plants aren’t likely to grow in Northern
California. Once favorite books have been found, purchase them and add them to your
research area. Use tabs, highlighters, and other note taking techniques to highlight
important information. A small bookshelf will be very useful. Here are a few books we’ve enjoyed:

Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants by Scott Kloos https://amzn.to/3W5jNRr

Wild Mushrooms: A Cookbook and Foraging Guide by Kristen & Trent Blizzard https://amzn.to/3PrAG4Z

The Edible Wild Plants Handbook by Jackson Howard https://amzn.to/3DGaiSB

A local map is a handy tool. Hang it on the wall, and highlight areas that have been
researched and scouted. Use different colors of markers to highlight specific benefits to
the area. For example, use pink to highlight a prolific berry source. Use green to
highlight medicinal plants. A pegboard will help organize thoughts and research as well.
Print out the plant, and use note cards to identify characteristics, benefits, and more.
Keep the research area organized. Use pen holders, tacks, small boxes, binders,
notebooks and whatever else necessary to keep the space clean and organized. It will
become a mess during most research sessions, but at the end, organize it. One day,
this space may save a life, and having rapid access to the necessary information is
extremely important.

The final aspect of preparation is time. Winter is the best time to do research. Once the
day’s work and chores are complete, sit down and research. The amount of time is not
important, but if there are responsibilities, such as kids’ bath or bedtime, set an alarm.
This kind of research can be completely absorbing. It can consume a person for hours.
Setting a timer will help prevent a time loss. Try to set a specific time during the day to
do research; a routine helps with organizing thoughts.

Finally, pick one subject to research. Researching 17 different plants that grow in six
various spots is good for brainstorming, but the goal is to learn as much as possible
about each plant. Some plants are nearly identical to others, but one is deadly and the
other is not. Make sure to have the correct plant identified before venturing out to
harvest that plant. After all, the main reason behind foraging is to find plants that will
help provide for the family. Making sure to identify the poisonous plants and where they grow is just as important as locating the beneficial plants. At the end of the day, research is the most important part of foraging. Without the plant knowledge, foraging can become a highly dangerous activity that could have catastrophic effects on families.

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