Native Medicinal Plant on-Farm Trials-2002 Report
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Collapse ▲This is a 2002 report from a NC Specialty Crops Program Project. It is posted for historical reference purposes.
Reviewed by Jeanine Davis, NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University on 10/13/2022.
PROJECT LEADER(S): Randy Collins
TYPE OF PROJECT: On-farm trial
LOCATION: Graham, Cherokee, and Clay counties
IMPACT
The growing medicinal plant and natural products industries offer opportunities for North Carolina farmers to diversify and supplement farm income with new specialty crops. The goal of this project is to introduce growers in western North Carolina to potential crops in this market, and to begin to research cultivation techniques for these plants. Through education, outreach, and research, promising crops will become established alternatives for growers in North Carolina.
INTRODUCTION
Goldenseal, ginseng, and ramps are native plant species with established or growing representation in the natural products industry. Goldenseal and ginseng are highly prized in medicinal markets, while ramps are popular for culinary uses. Conditions in western North Carolina are favorable for these plants, but production protocols have yet to be established. In these preliminary studies, local growers and residents became involved in determining effective methods for producing these crops on a commercial basis.
METHODS
Goldenseal, ramp, and ginseng plants were given to approximately 20 cooperating farms in the form of plugs, rootstock, or seed. These materials were planted by cooperators according to the instructions of Specialty Crops Program Leader, Jeanine Davis. Most test trials are in the form of 10 ft. X 12 ft. plots placed in wild-simulated positions. Each cooperator keeps a record of how each plot was planted, the date, weather conditions, and any other significant observations. Plots are monitored each year for disease incidence, growth rate, flowering/fruiting, etc., and results are recorded regularly.
RESULTS
Public interest in the project has allowed the involvement of a considerable number of cooperators. The disease problems seen during the first year were greatly improved during the 2002 growing season. About 95% of the plots had little or no disease, growth rates were good, and reproduction of plant materials was noticed in many of the plots. Little to no herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides had to be used this year.
CONCLUSION
Results have been encouraging in the second year of this on-going project. Growers are gaining experience producing these new woodland botanicals. As a group, they are developing markets and value-added products. Probably the most important impact this project has had is the confidence and sense of engagement it has fostered among the growers involved. In addition to helping these growers produce their first crops, these replicated plots will provide yield data that will be so important in the development of production budgets for them to use when trying to obtain business loans. Additional research on production techniques is needed to make particular medicinal crops a viable competitor on a large commercial scale.
PHOTOS
Bobbie Ammons (right) next to her bed of ramps in Cherokee County
Ginseng seedlings showing excellent germination at John Carswell’s site in Graham County
Goldenseal bed at Rob Jordan’s site, next to the Cheoah River in Graham County
Goldenseal bed at Lonnie Collins’ site in Graham County
Goldenseal showing signs of disease