The State of Missouri will pay for your mulberries and plums. Here’s how:

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (KCTV) - Missouri residents with wild red mulberry and plum fruit growing on their properties can make a few extra bucks with the Department of Conservation this summer.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announced on Monday, June 9, that it will purchase red mulberry and wild plum fruit from residents this summer at its Chillicothe office as part of an early seed-buying season.

Conservationists said they will offer $6 per pound of red mulberry, starting June 9, and $1.95 per pound of wild plums, beginning July 7. Fruit can be brought to the Chillicothe Office, at 15368 Livingston County Road 2386, on a walk-in basis. Residents can also call 660-646-6122 to make an appointment.

Department leaders noted that red mulberries can be found as a small tree on moist wooded slopes in shaded areas. These are not to be confused with white mulberry, which often grows in fences and yards out in the sun. Residents can bring leaves to the office to confirm the species of their tree before they harvest the fruit.

Meanwhile, conservation officials indicated that wild plum fruits must be ripe and red, orange or yellow in color for the buy program. No partially green fruit will be accepted.

Conservationists said they expect to purchase a wider variety of seed in the fall, when more species become ripe. For questions, residents can call the Chillicothe Office at 660-646-6122.

For more information about the Missouri Department of Conservation, click HERE.

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