Homemade Hay Wagon Helps His Horseradish Business Grow
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Dale Richter (91) of Glen Dale, W.Va., has spent his sunset years growing and selling horseradish. “I got into the horseradish business 12 to 15 years ago when I met an older gentleman who made it,” Richter says. “He didn’t have a place to plant much, so he planted it in his yard, processed it, and took jars around to sell in neighboring towns.”
Richter started his own patch soon after, initially giving away most of the product. Since then, he’s expanded the patch and his business, experimenting with various flavors and adding mustard, beets, and extra hot peppers. “This past season, I made and sold 192 8-oz. jelly jars across the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and people are asking me about it everywhere I go,” he says. “I have business cards I pass out and wear my ‘Dale’s Horseradish’ hat when it’s in season.”
One of the tools of Richter’s trade is a handmade hay wagon he built from an old boat trailer and some skids he secured from a local hardware store. “I use the wagon to move my homemade mulch to the horseradish patch,” he says. He included a tailgate to make gathering and transporting mulch easier. “Construction took several days, about 2 hrs. a day. Out-of-pocket expenses were only a box of screws, along with some hard work. My advice is to use whatever supplies are available; with your imagination, a lot of things can be made using skids.”
Making and selling horseradish is a multi-step process. “With the help of a very good friend, we plant, dig, replant the tops, clean, and grind. I finally invested in a tractor and backhoe to make the harvesting less manual work,” he says. “I start with regular horseradish, grinding it in one of my several blenders, adding vinegar and salt for regular, nothing more. For the extra hot, I add peppers for a little kick, beets and mustard. I keep several of each variety on hand when I’m out selling and replenish my supply as needed. This upcoming season, I plan to offer small samples to my customers.”
With over a decade of experience with horseradish, Richter feels equipped to pass along some of his wisdom. “Plant it and give it plenty of time to grow. Don’t rush it, and you’ll have a better product. And don’t dig in the summer as a hard frost seems to give a crisper root.” But perhaps his most important advice is related to processing. “Have plenty of ventilation when you clean and grind the root. Even then, you might need a mask.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dale Richter, 38 N. Green Hills Rd., Glen Dale, W.Va. 26038 (ph 304-559-8781).
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Homemade Hay Wagon Helps His Horseradish Business Grow WAGONS/TRAILERS Conversions Dale Richter 91 of Glen Dale W Va has spent his sunset years growing and selling horseradish “I got into the horseradish business 12 to 15 years ago when I met an older gentleman who made it ” Richter says “He didn’t have a place to plant much so he planted it in his yard processed it and took jars around to sell in neighboring towns ” Richter started his own patch soon after initially giving away most of the product Since then he’s expanded the patch and his business experimenting with various flavors and adding mustard beets and extra hot peppers “This past season I made and sold 192 8-oz jelly jars across the tri-state area of West Virginia Ohio and Pennsylvania and people are asking me about it everywhere I go ” he says “I have business cards I pass out and wear my ‘Dale’s Horseradish’ hat when it’s in season ” One of the tools of Richter’s trade is a handmade hay wagon he built from an old boat trailer and some skids he secured from a local hardware store “I use the wagon to move my homemade mulch to the horseradish patch ” he says He included a tailgate to make gathering and transporting mulch easier “Construction took several days about 2 hrs a day Out-of-pocket expenses were only a box of screws along with some hard work My advice is to use whatever supplies are available; with your imagination a lot of things can be made using skids ” Making and selling horseradish is a multi-step process “With the help of a very good friend we plant dig replant the tops clean and grind I finally invested in a tractor and backhoe to make the harvesting less manual work ” he says “I start with regular horseradish grinding it in one of my several blenders adding vinegar and salt for regular nothing more For the extra hot I add peppers for a little kick beets and mustard I keep several of each variety on hand when I’m out selling and replenish my supply as needed This upcoming season I plan to offer small samples to my customers ” With over a decade of experience with horseradish Richter feels equipped to pass along some of his wisdom “Plant it and give it plenty of time to grow Don’t rush it and you’ll have a better product And don’t dig in the summer as a hard frost seems to give a crisper root ” But perhaps his most important advice is related to processing “Have plenty of ventilation when you clean and grind the root Even then you might need a mask ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dale Richter 38 N Green Hills Rd Glen Dale W Va 26038 ph 304-559-8781
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