Establishing a Viable Organic Goldenseal Production System for Small Family Farms

The bright yellow roots of Goldenseal are one of the most widely consumed products sold through health and natural food stores" say Steven Foster and James Duke. Many years of unrestricted wild collection have had devastating effects on native Goldenseal populations. Annual wild harvests are estimated at more 60 million plants (SCPFRC, 1999). Currently less than 300 acres are in cultivation (Davis, 1999). Clearly there exists a pressing need for research into the cultivation of Goldenseal as a commercial crop, but as the market facts indicate there is a tremendous financial advantage to the concept of "Wild Simulated" Certified Organically Grown Goldenseal. Large scale Goldenseal cultivation is similar to Ginseng production in that both plants require 50% to 75% shade and an investment of more than $25,000 per acre for artificial shade structures (Scott, 1995). Small family operated farms typically have limited resources. However, many of these small family farms have an acre of two of hardwood forest, which could easily be certified organic, that wold be suitable for Goldenseal production. This research project proposes to establish a Certified Organic Crop Production System for Goldenseal suitable for use by these small family farms.