Former florist blossoming on the wild side: Northwest rice harvester gaining popularity.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: DRYDEN/SIOUX LOOKOUT

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Kailey Divers' first appearance at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair last fall proved to be a productive trip for the northwestern Ontario wild rice harvester.

For the owner of Canadian Pure Wild Rice, the 10 days spent at the annual show in Toronto last November was a launching pad that has gained her more exposure than she can handle, and could quite likely double her sales this year.

"I'm glad I did go. It was a real eye-opener," said Divers, who bundled up 950 pounds of wild rice for the event and sold most of it.

Celebrity TV chef Ted Reader, one of her customers, even promoted her naturally grown product during a cooking demonstration.

"I've gotten so many emails from people wanting more," said Divers, who hails from Wabigoon, a 20-minute drive east of Dryden.

Wild rice is proving to be a growing concern for Divers in running her business out of her lakeside home located between Wabigoon Lake and Dinorwic Lake, on a connecting channel known as "The Narrows."

She contracts a neighbour to harvest the naturally growing aquatic grass which chokes the nearby lakes, rivers and bays.

"I've got wild rice growing beside my dock. It's all over the place."

Usually found in cold, moving water, anywhere from a foot to 12 feet deep, Divers hauled about 4,800 pounds of green rice last year, half of that being water weight.

As more orders come in, "I'm sure we'll get 8,000 or 9,000 pounds this year."

"I'm always hoping I'm going to have a good crop, but I haven't had to worry too much so far for the past 10 years."

Wild rice is a more established industry in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the northern U.S. Not so much in northwestern Ontario, even though the plant thrives throughout the region.

The nearby Wabigoon First Nation ran a commercial wild rice processor until a few years ago, shipping in bulk to international clients.

Now many folks in the area just harvest for their own personal use.

Divers' passion for wild rice, and all things natural, was inspired by her mother, who frequently picked wild mushrooms, berries and various leaves.

"I'm a real forager. Hunting, fishing and camping, we learned to make use of what was available."

She ran a Dryden flower shop for 20 years before selling it to devote more time to her sideline business, which she established in 2008. The local demand for her product took off right away.

Nutritious and high in fibre, Divers said the rice has a mild, nutty flavour.

"I use...