This task force was created in direct response to the Minnesota DNR’s proposed foraging regulations, which would further limit foraging practices on Minnesota state land. A bill was passed on June 10, 2025, establishing a Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force, aiming to develop foraging regulations that balance ecological sustainability and public access to natural resources.
According to the Minnesota Sustainable Task Force, the purpose is to gather and review information on the impact of foraging and develop recommendations for foraging guidelines that are specific, actionable, and consistent with Indigenous and other cultural practices and traditions. Other duties of the task force include:
In Minnesota state parks, there are restrictions on taking plants, mushrooms, and berries and it is illegal to dig up or damage plants while foraging. However, harvesting edible fruits and mushrooms is allowed in Minnesota state parks, as long as they are for personal consumption as commercial harvesting is not allowed. A license is required to harvest wild rice and wild ginseng, which can be purchased for a season or for a single day. There is also a fee to buy and sell wild rice and wild ginseng.
Current foraging regulations as outlined by the Minnesota Legislature MN Administrative Rules, 6100.0900:
“Unless otherwise provided by law, no person in a state park or forest recreation area shall disturb, destroy, injure, damage, deface, molest, or remove any state property, including, but not limited to, wildflowers or vegetation of any kind dead or alive, ruins, wild animals, geological formations, historical or archaeological artifacts or sites, historic structures, signs, or facilities, except edible fruit, mushrooms, legally taken wild animals, and vegetation unavoidably damaged or destroyed by the ordinary recreational uses of these areas as specifically permitted by parts 6100.0100 to 6100.2400. Collections for scientific and educational purposes may be made only with the written permission of the commissioner. It is unlawful to damage vegetation or damage and deface rock formations with rock-climbing equipment.”
With current regulations, you can only harvest edible fruit and mushrooms for personal use, and no permit is required to do so. Commercial foraging or foraging large amounts in state parks is not allowed, so you can only forage a handful of berries or a few mushrooms for personal consumption. Picking wildflowers or any other plants, even in small amounts, is not allowed in state parks.
The Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force is seeking public input from foragers or those passionate about outdoor recreation management on a variety of topics, including what individuals are foraging, perspectives on the foraging process, concerns about effects to other recreational experiences, and areas of confusion or potential needs of clarification around current foraging laws and regulations.
The Task Force will be hosting four 90-minute public listening sessions. These meetings are intended to facilitate public testimony to the Task Force. Task Force members will share some of their questions. If you would like to provide testimony to the Task Force, please email nick.nero@lcc.mn.gov.
To learn more information about the Minnesota Sustainable Task Force and the public listening sessions, visit their website.