An Introduction to the PCO Forest Grown Verification Program: Fall 2017

Eric Burkhart, PhD

Plant husbandry options

Wild steward Wild simulated Woods cultivated

Re-seeding Extra seeding Cultivation Potential benefits to producers under the ‘Forest Grown’ program include:

Crop documentation Price premiums in the marketplace New domestic markets Branding for quality control Exemptions from regulations

Plants currently eligible for verification under the ‘Forest Grown’ program:

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) False-unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum) Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) Ramp or Wild leek (Allium tricoccum) Wood geranium (Geranium maculatum) Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum biflorum, P. pubescens) Verification Process

Applicant submits Forest Grown Management Plan

PCO Conducts On-site Inspection

Verification Decision

Issuance of Verification Partners to date….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U78PzsGbrF0

Cost Share Available: Common name Scientific name Quantity needed (lbs)

American ginseng Panax quinquefolius 500-1100 (Forest grown 10-15 currently)

Black cohosh Actaea racemosa 2,100 Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis 2,700 Wild yam Dioscorea villosa 2,300 Solomon’s seal Polygonatum biflorum 600-2,000

Blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides 1,000

Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis 300

Wood geranium Geranium maculatum 135-200

Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum 100-300

Spikenard Aralia racemosa 250-300 Partridgeberry Mitchella repens 300-400 Stoneroot Collinsonia canadensis 300 How do we get folks in these supply chains (and earning income!) sooner rather than later?

The low hanging fruit approach = work with landowners to manage, steward and harvest from existing populations (and towards polycultural forest farming) Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis Blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides Wild yam Dioscorea villosa Wild leek/Ramp Allium tricoccum Black cohosh Actaea racemosa Black cohosh Root and Herb Prices 1974-2012: Wild and Cultivated

Break even prices: black cohosh model

EH Early harvest NSC No stock costs NAC No annual costs

$90 $77 $80 $76 $69 $70 $57 $60 $60 $56 $50 $39 $40 $28 $30 $26 $25

Price ($US/lb/dry wt) Price($US/lb/dry $20

$10 $2 $3 $1 $0

MIN MAX 6 yr NSC NAC 4 yr NSC NAC MEAN EH (4) EH (3)

EH, NSC, NAC EH, NSC, NAC

Historic prices Seed Transplants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m-gUhki__U

Break even prices: black cohosh case study

Mtn Rose Price 2016 Producer 1 Producer 2 + plant medicine!!

Eric Burkhart [email protected]

www.ShaversCreek.org