NC Medicinal Herb Growers Groups
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Collapse ▲There are now TWO NC Extension led Medicinal Herb Grower Groups with a third being formed. These groups are focused on commercial herb production (i.e., growing for sale) and are led by extension agents. Read below about the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers and the Piedmont Herb Growers.
Western NC Medicinal Herb Growers Group
The Western North Carolina Medicinal Herb Growers is a group of NC Extension educators, herb farmers, and serious herb gardeners interested in gaining experience in growing medicinal herbs and learning more about them. The group first organized in the fall of 2013 and has met under the names of the WNC Herb Club, the WNC Medicinal Herb Club, the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers Club, and most recently, the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers. They are an active group that meets every month or so on herb farms in the western third of the state to get hands-on experience with all aspects of medicinal herb growing, post-harvest handling, and marketing. It is a very social group, so a pot-luck lunch is often part of the event. Experienced herb growers mentor beginning herb farmers; this can be a casual or more structured relationship.
This is a wonderful time to be involved with the experienced and growing network of medicinal herb growers in North Carolina. Please mark your calendars and join the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers group for these great events! To join the NC Extension WNC Medicinal Herb growers email list to receive newsletters and more, by emailing Meghan_Baker@ncsu.edu and put “WNC Medicinal Herb Growers” in the subject line.
Woodland Stewards is a group within the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers who are beginning and advanced forest farmers that meet monthly for hands-on programming at the demonstration woods of the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River, NC. Under the leadership of Margaret Bloomquist, research associate, and the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers Captains, the Woodland Stewards are embarking on their 5th year of monthly gatherings and work parties. This includes participation in research and extension efforts of our native woodland botanicals; the maintenance, growth, and harvesting of woodland medicinals at the Mills River demonstration site; site visits, mentorship, and work parties at woodland stewards’ properties; plant rescues; and more! The Woodland Stewards projects are currently supported by, and very much a part of, the educational programming of the Appalachian Forest Farmers Coalition originally funded by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
We are excited to announce 2025 western North Carolina (WNC) programming and to share opportunities and stories with this special group based in Mills River, NC. Please request info about joining the WNC Woodland Stewards group and RSVP by emailing Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu.
2025 Western NC Medicinal Herb Growers Events
So You Want to Grow Medicinal Herbs!
March 17, 2025 – 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Western NC Medicinal Herb Growers. Free. Hybrid Zoom and in-person event at the NC Extension Buncombe County Center. Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/so-you-want-to-grow-medicinal-herbs-tickets-1253736803529
Offered by Western NC Medicinal Herb Growers and Bullington Gardens. Learn the fundamentals of plant taxonomy, including classification, identification, and the key botanical characteristics of both culinary herbs and local native species. This course will deepen your understanding of plant families, growth habits, and ecological roles, while equipping you with the skills to identify plants in the wild and garden. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, gardeners, and anyone interested in botany. Led by NC State and N.C. Cooperative Extension Agents. Where: Bullington Gardens, Hendersonville. Cost: Regular $15.00, Friends of Bullington Gardens $11.25. Register at: https://www.bullingtongardens.org/store/p/taxonomy-and-botany-of-herbs-and-native-plants
Western NC Medicinal Herb Growers. Hybrid event, Mills River, NC at the NC State Produce Safety and Handling Building at 74 Research Drive. Agroforestry is an important practice for enhancing sustainability and creating long-term benefits for both farmers and the environment. Bridging the issues of climate change, land degradation, and food security, there are a variety of ways in which landowners can bring agroforestry practices into their management practices. Learn more about practical ways to utilize agroforestry at scale. This is in-person including a tour of a forest farm demonstration or via Zoom for the first hour of presentations. ($12). Register via Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/agroforestry-opportunities-with-medicinal-herbs-tickets-1253731758439?aff=oddtdtcreator
Propagating Medicinal Herbs
August 5, 2025
Location TBD. More information forthcoming.
NC Medicinal Herb Grower and Buyer Event
November 13, 2025, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
NC Medicinal Herb Growers. Annual event in Mills River, NC. ($12). More details to come.
The Art and Science of Pressed Plant Vouchers
December 9, 2025, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Western NC Medicinal Herb Growers
In person only. Buncombe County Extension office. ($12).
YouTube Link to Voucher video.
Woodland Stewards 2025 Programs
Monthly group gatherings at the research and demonstration woods in Mills River, NC. We seek to create a consistent group of beginning to highly experienced forest farmers to grow through the seasons together. In-person programming hours are offered on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this spring (more dates to come). Picnic lunch follows.
Please request info about joining the WNC Woodland Stewards group and RSVP by emailing Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu.
March 27 2025, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Awakening woodland plots, welcome tour of the demonstration forest farm
April 10 2025, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. – Site selection for forest farming and emergence walk. This Woodland Steward session will focus on the ability to evaluate and select optimal sites for establishing and maintaining forest farms. Through the lens of forest ecology the following will be explored: plant communities, indicator species, elevation, slope and aspect, soil moisture, land use history, as well as canopy dynamics and light.
May 8 2025, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. – Woodland botanical plot inventory and summer planning.
August 2025 – Disease, insects, and summer scouting in the woods.
September 2025 – Ginseng opener and one year after Helene recovery reflection.
October 2025 – Annual woodland steward root harvest and re-planting.
The Piedmont Medicinal Herb Growers Group
Established in mid-2022, this group is organized by N.C. Cooperative Extension agents in the piedmont counties. To join, or for more information about the classes or the group, email Susan Hawkins at smhawkin@ncsu.edu
Piedmont Medicinal Herb Growers 2025 Events
Growing Medicinal Mushrooms
March 19, 2025, 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Piedmont Medicinal Herb Growers. Learn about growing medicinal mushrooms. We will meet at Catawba Mushroom Partners for a talk and a tour of their growing operation. 3562 Old Catawba Rd, Claremont, NC 28610. ($12). Register through Eventbrite at https://go.ncsu.edu/qqxb64m
Botanical Walk at Boone’s Cave
April 11, 2025, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Piedmont Medicinal Herb Growers. Botanical walk at Boone’s Cave Park. The walk will be led by area Horticulture agents. We will hike the trail and identify native botanicals. Come prepared for a fun, interactive, and educational walk. This walk will be held rain or shine. 3552 Boone’s Cave Park, Lexington, NC. ($10). Register through Eventbrite at https://go.ncsu.edu/3pryoxy
Elderberry Workshop
April 22, 2025, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Piedmont Medicinal Herb Growers. Learn about growing elderberries. Area Agent Craig Mauney will talk about best practices for growing and harvesting elderberries.
Rowan County Cooperative Extension, 1959 Jake Alexander Blvd W suite 1400, Salisbury, NC 28147. ($12). Register through Eventbrite at https://go.ncsu.edu/vnfw8lf
WNC Medicinal Herb Grower Videos:
How to Make a Plant Voucher – Meghan Baker, Margaret Bloomquist, and Craig Mauney, NC Extension. Meghan Baker also created these lists of field guides and other resources to help you with medicinal plant taxonomy and identification and a list of materials for making plant vouchers. (2/12/2021)
Tool Care for Small Farmers – Meghan Baker and Craig Mauney, NC Extension. (7/21/2021)
Plant and Seed Suppliers
Please see the 2022 WNC Medicinal Herb Growers Planting Stock Suppliers_9-2022 (this is a pdf). If you think your business should be on this list, please email Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu
APPALACHIAN FOREST FARMERS COALITION EVENTS
Be sure to follow the ABFFC calendar for events happening in our region and across the country.
STAY INFORMED
To stay informed about all the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers and Woodland Stewards activities and more, sign up for the NC Alternative Crops & Organics, Sign up for our program’s newsletter
You can follow us on Facebook, too at: WNC Medicinal Herb Growers FB page