Yes. You would need to confirm that conditions in your shelterbelt agree with growing conditions for the plant(s) you want to grow. Ginseng and ramps, best grown in moist hardwood forests, may not be good choices in a Midwest shelterbelt, especially a new planting without deep shade or if the area does not have rich soils high in organic matter. If you are in a forest type (rich, moist and high in organic matter) where you know ginseng grows (or …
Is forest farming of high-value medicinals a potentially profitable business? How much money could I make?
The answer to the first question is, “yes,” but the key word is, “potentially.” As with any business venture, some risk is involved, and other considerations must be factored in before deciding if a business is worthwhile.
A primary consideration before beginning forest farming is the productive range of the medicinal plant. Plants, such as American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), do not tend to grow well outside of their …
Farming High-Value Medicinal Plants
Many high-value medicinal plants grow in forests. Examples include American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) (roots pictured), and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). The Forest Farming community can share information on the cultivation, marketing, and sale of these valuable non-timber forest products.…