Members praise process but flag concerns on scope, tribal engagement and DNR outreach

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Members of the Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force used the panel’s final meeting to reflect on the process and to flag areas they said need more work as recommendations move to the legislature.

David Schultz of the Minnesota Foraging Alliance and others urged the report to explicitly note gaps in engagement with Native and indigenous communities; the chair and other members acknowledged that outreach had improved and said the report will note tribal participation and contacts. "We actually had a really good participation from our Native communities, and it's because of Nibi's work," the chair said, crediting outreach efforts while agreeing to ensure the record reflects that input.

Several members objected to language in the draft executive summary that, they said, overemphasized plants. Peter of the Minnesota Mycological Society told the group readers could get the impression that "it's all about plants" when the intent was to cover a broader array of foraged products including fungi, wild rice, ginseng and maple syrup. Task force members agreed to remove narrow wording and to make the scope clear.

Other themes raised during reflections included:

- Tribal engagement and treaty rights: Representative Roger Scraba stressed the importance of respecting tribal treaty rights and the complexity of harmonizing state processes with tribal authority. He said process matters most when adjustments might affect tribal practices.

- Permitting and pricing: Members discussed permitting requirements for products such as wild ginseng and wild rice, and recommended clearer language about permitting accessibility; a prior recommendation suggests reduced permit costs should be considered as one factor in improving access but not a blanket price cut.

- Contamination and educational materials: Nibi (Mi Biogichida Ekwe) and Gary Wyatt urged stronger, explicit language in the report about pesticide and herbicide contamination and recommended the task force include educational recommendations aimed at public safety and protection, especially for children.

- Next steps for legal recognition: Greg of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers said he viewed the work as a start and argued the group "missed the boat" on a more ambitious legal recognition of foraging rights comparable to prior amendments recognizing hunting and fishing rights; other members framed that as future work for the legislature rather than the report itself.

Members concluded by thanking facilitators and staff for extensive support, and the chair closed by saying the task force’s recommendations will inform bill language and that members should be prepared to testify if hearings are scheduled.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote adopting the report and an invitation to stay for a group photo.