Native Plants Boost Woodlot Revenue

Native Plants Boost Woodlot Revenue CROPS Miscellaneous Regional non-profit Rural Action is helping landowners in southern Ohio and surrounding states add value to their woodlands by plotting rare forest plants like ginseng to provide revenue     “Part of our motivation is to get people out into their forests and be better stewards ” says Gary Conley director of Sustainable Forestry Program Rural Action “We want to show them there’s so much more there than just timber to sell We educate landowners about plants with a market value and how to cultivate harvest and prepare them for markets ”     Plants they focus on in addition to ginseng include ramps goldenseal false unicorn black cohosh Solomon’s seal and bloodroot All are at-risk or rare in most woodlands     The Forest Farmer’s Handbook is a free downloadable guide to everything from gathering seed from existing populations to locating appropriate planting sites ground preparation and cultivation The organization also sells high-quality stratified American ginseng seed and ramp bulbs Videos on the Rural Action website review both forest plants’ history cultivation and marketing     Ginseng is one of the most well-known high-value forest plants The revenue potential has resulted in overharvesting in most areas     “American ginseng is very popular in China with 95 percent of harvested ginseng going to that country ” says Conley “The market can vary from $800 to $2 400 per dried pound Some roots are sold based on an individual root’s shape sometimes for thousands of dollars ”     That said Ohio State University estimates it can take around 275 roots to yield a pound of dry ginseng The time commitment is also significant as roots should only be harvested once they’ve reached maturity which can take 7 to 10 years Federal regulation prohibits harvesting wild ginseng less than 5 years of age     “It’s important to know and understand federal and state regulations ” says Conley     Seed and leaves can be harvested earlier at the end of each growing season Ginseng has been known to live for 70 to 80 years     This past year Rural Action sold 80 lbs of ginseng seed If spread as recommended that would be enough to propagate about three acres of ginseng     “One of our goals is to take the pressure off wild populations ” says Conley     That’s also true of other plants Like ginseng ramps wild onion have been overharvested in many areas Conley recommends planting ramps by seed or bulbs While not anywhere as valuable as ginseng they also don’t take as long     “Planted by bulb ramps can be harvested in 3 to 5 years ” says Conley “Planted seed can take longer to mature ”     He recommends yearly harvesting of up to 15 percent of a stand to promote and maintain it Ramps are typically harvested for the culinary market as whole plants partial stalks and leaves or just leaves Before the entire plant is viable for harvest one of the two leaves a bulb typically produces can be removed and marketed at the peak of harvest     Conley keeps several patches of ramps for his use and trading with neighbors He also digs and sells several patches of goldenseal to other forest farms Unlike ginseng goldenseal transplants easily He notes that goldenseal roots have been selling for around $40 to $45 per pound for dried roots However prices appear to be as high as $80 this year Like ginseng and ramps goldenseal leaves are also in demand     Conley advises FARM SHOW readers to check with their state extension service and arboretums “Some of them are hosting workshops on forest farming ” he says     Rural Action starts taking orders for stratified ginseng seed for fall planting in August Seed begins at $30 for 1/4 lb and goes to $525 for 5 lbs Ramp bulbs in 2024 started at $16 for 40 bulbs and ranged to $80 for 200 bulbs     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Rural Action 9030 Hocking Hills Dr The Plains Ohio 45780 ph 740-677-4047; info@ruralaction org; www ruralaction org

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