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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a member of the poppy family. Flowers bloom in early spring before the leaves unfurl.
Photo Credit: NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program 2025. |
Spring emergence is in full swing in the woods!
We're grateful to have some April showers in Western North Carolina. Bloodroot, trilliums, ramps, Solomon’s seal and mayapple have all made their appearance in our Mills River forest farm demonstration site. The team is scouting for signs of goldenseal, American ginseng, and fairy wand over the next weeks.
Forest farmers and woodland enthusiasts: it's a great excuse to walk your paths with attention, and check for shoots, survival, and the delicate, ephemeral forest flowers. Happy hunting!
Want to learn more about woodland botanicals with our team, while helping maintain the demonstration site in Mills River? Details and sign up info for future volunteer opportunities here: https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/herb/wnc-medicinal-herb-growers/
Read below for more updates, events, and opportunities! |
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We held our first WNC Woodland Stewards work day of 2025 at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in late March. Volunteers helped with plot maintenance and emergence checks. Join us for the next gathering on April 10!
Photo Credit: NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program 2025. |
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Program Highlight:
Researching Multi-Purpose Chinese Herbs |
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Harvesting Anemarrhena asphodeloides, (知母 zhimu) at at one of our on-farm collaborator's fields. This elegant member of the asparagus family is a Chinese medicinal herb and has additional value as an ornamental plant.
Photo Credit: NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program 2025. |
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Weighing Anemarrhena roots to be used for propagative material this season.
Photo Credit: NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program 2025. |
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Events
Warmer weather and longer days bring opportunities for hands-on learning. |
Get Your Hands on Some Hops - Volunteer in the Research Hopyard!
Monday April 14, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hops enthusiast? Join us for monthly volunteer days throughout the season, where you'll gain experience in the hopyard while helping with essential tasks such as weeding, pruning, shoot selection, training, defoliating, scouting for disease, and harvesting fragrant hops cones.
Our next volunteer day will be on Monday April 14, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. We will trim back bull shoots, learn how to manage and weed between emerging plants, and scout for common diseases and insects. To sign up and stay updated on opportunities, please email: Katie_Learn@ncsu.edu |
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Picking hops in summer 2024 in the research hopyard in Mills River.
Photo Credit: NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program 2024. |
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Agroforestry Opportunities with Medicinal Herbs
Wednesday May 7, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Hybrid event: NC State Produce Safety and Handling Building,
74 Research Drive, Mills River, NC & on zoom
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Margaret leads a group through the demonstration forest farm site in Mills River.
Photo Credit: NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program 2024. |
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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 below. |
| Agroforestry Opportunities with Medicinal Herbs |
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Forest Farming Office Hours (virtual)
Fri May 9th, 12:00-1:30pm EST |
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Join the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition and NC State University Extension for Q&A, resources, and conversation about forest farming. All regions and experience levels are welcome. Registration is free and required.
Upcoming Forest Farming Office Hours
Friday, May 9th, 2025
12:00 - 1:30 PM EST |
| Forest Farming Office Hours |
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Contour Lines Agroforestry Tree Grant
Contour Lines provides trees and technical assistance to landowners interested in transitioning to agroforestry and are able to implement certain simple soil conservation practices. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information or to apply please visit: www.contourlines.org/USA.
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Support Our Work
Your gift to our program will support our amazing team of employees who are conducting research on forest farming, native botanicals, Chinese medicinal herbs, organic tomato production, and more. Your support is needed this year more than ever, as many of the grant programs that pay our team's salaries are paused. Support our program specifically through this secure donation link. |
| Donate Now |
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Copyright © 2025 NC State University, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested to stay informed of events and workshops offered by the NC Alternative Crops & Organics program, Dept. of Horticultural Science at NC State University.
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Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
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