Video Tape EHE-24

VIRTUALLY WILD GINSENG AS A FOREST-SAVING TECHNIQUE

Pollution Prevention — Growing virtually wild ginseng requires a mixed hardwood forest which is found throughout central Appalachia. There is a ready Asian market for this medicinal herb at whatever amount can be produced. Growing virtually wild ginseng is a way to enhance the value of the forested land, offer a livelihood for the forest property-holders and guarantee the preserving of the forest by stakeholders. Wild (not cultivated) ginseng-growing avoids the pollution associated with herbicide and pesticide application to cultivated ginseng patches and it offers Appalachians a sound ecological and economic alternative to the timber industry.

Videotape Contents — The treatment is mainly directed to an interview with Syl Yunker, a grower of virtually wild ginseng and information given as he conducts a workshop at ASPI for other possible growers in the spring of 1999. It includes explanation of the history, importance and marketing advantages of this herb, as well as introduction to seed sources and supplementary materials. There is a short interview with Jo Wolf from Wayne County, Kentucky who is a state hired monitoring agent of ginseng conditions in every county of the state. The final portion of the program includes a walking tour of the Chad Jackson plot adjacent to the ASPI grounds. Here Syl Yunker gives details on selection of site for ginseng planting, slope and tree cover considerations, spacing and manner of seeding, and ways to protect the planted areas.