In Kentucky , where I be , some farmers are harvest unique local products that reach back millions of class . At the localfarmers market place , they exhibit sparkling geodes and brilliantly ransack agate among the dinero and tomatoes . Roland McIntosh and Lonnie Wilson have been walk the hills and creeks on their properties for years to scrounge for gem among the rocks . These farmers are unskilled geologist foragers , also known as rockhounds .
Geodes and agates lay deep beneath Kentucky ’s limestone between , spanning back to 250 to 275 million year ago . In a program that publicise on the local public television receiver post , McIntosh explainsthat just as diamonds are formed from carbon , geode are shape from Si dioxide , which becomes a form of lechatelierite known as agate .
Rockhounds often find their treasure by searching in or near creek beds , where wearing has cut away the top layers of earth . In some types of geodes , the agate appears as vein or hollows lined with cleared , blanched or topaz crystal . Aliza Sollins
In other types , ghost minerals meld with the microscopical quartz in the agate to form decorative isthmus of color in stripes of milky opal , vibrant orange red , umber yellowed , flushed pink , cat valium black and more . Aliza Sollins
Wilson , of Hoot Owl Holler , sells his geodes as he find them on the hills alongside his creekbed , with crystals or veins of quartz register by nature through hole and breaks in the rocks . Sales can affix his income by about $ 50 to $ 100 per market twenty-four hours , on a near daylight . A benefit of this special local Cartesian product is that they are nonperishable items that can be sell at market in early give and late dip when harvests are low , and they are favorite detail for tourists at market to purchase .
McIntosh is wide known in the area as an agate expert and collector . His bookKentucky Agate : State Rock and Mineral Treasure of the Commonwealth(University Press of Kentucky , 2013 ) shows a fantastic collection of agate , and he personally cut and round off the mineral line up on his belongings . Some of the polished round — known as cabochons — are sold to local jewelers , and he often attends treasure and mineral show . At the farmers market , Roland ’s booth is seasonally stock withpawpaws , Sassafras albidum , wineberries , pieplant , and other interesting foraged or repeated products , but one lasting standstill - by are his two tub full of Kentucky ’s mineral treasure .
Aliza Sollins
If you ’re looking for a path to supplement your own Farmer market sales , take a cue from these two and perhaps look beyond husbandry for other resources your land may offer .
Aliza Sollins
