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Revised: 8/17/2006

Herbal Crops
5/02

Nancy Callan, MSU researcher at the Western Agricultural Research Center, has been investigating methods of growing herbal crops for several years and shares her production information on her web site at: http://ag.montana.edu/warc/Specialty_crops.htm

 

Organic Certification

For organic production, producers have to be certified through OCAM - Organic Certification Association of Montana.  For the certification process, a producer would need to verify no pesticide/fertilizer use for 3 full years prior to the program.   Call LouAnn Crowley 543-7645 for OCAM certification, as always BEFORE planting.

For more information on the certification process, contact Doug Crabtree, Organic Certification Program manager, at 444-3730 at by e-mail at dcrabtree@state.mt.us.

Montana Organic Contacts

Montana Organic Association, P O Box 1675, Polson, MT  59860, Phone (406-871-0019)
web page: www.montanaorganicassociation.org
e-mail: info@montanaorganicassociation.org

Mycorrhiza OCIA of Montana, Chapter Chapter contact: Robert Boettcher
email: boettrae@ttc-cmc.net, phone/fax406-378-3243

Montana Northeast Chapter., Chapter contact: Colleen Drury, email: 2dsfcu@nemontel.net 
phone: 406-783-5597

North Central Montana Chapter, Chapter contact: Dee Turner, email: thunder@northerntel.net , phone: 406-937-3765
Index
Echinacea Production
Ginseng
Goldenseal
Hemp: Many possibilities as an alternative crop
Organic Farming Regulations and Contacts in Montana

Echinacea Production
by:  Courtney Tchnida, Pratiti Gliorh, Sandra Michel and Suzanne Wold

Introduction:

Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia are both commonly known as the purple coneflower. Although it may be boring to some, with a few brave souls daring to call it a weed, the purple coneflower can be found decorating perennial gardens or serving as a beautiful cut-flower throughout the world. E. purpurea is grown commercially for a multitude of purposes, one of which being herbal remedies. Recently, products containing E. purpurea have been reaching record sales. In the United States E. purpurea  has a market share of 9.9% of the medicinal herbal industry (10). Consumption of Echinacea is becoming increasingly higher in Europe and the U.S. with Germany boasting more than 300 Echinacea products available for their consumers. In 1994 more than 2.5 million prescriptions were written for Echinacea.

Most production occurs in the United States and Europe, with Canada slowly gaining speed. Echinacea stimulates the immune system, and thus can be seen taken to prevent and fight colds, coughs, sore throats, infections, and inflammation (2). Further research is being conducted worldwide to determine and document the immuno-stimulatory, antiviral, and antibacterial benefits.

With the above said, and with further reading, we hope to demonstrate why in 1996 Echinacea was voted one of the top 10 best selling herbs (3).

Taxonomy and Botany:

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae); The Daisy Family

Genus: Echinacea

Species: purpurea, angustifolia and pallida

The Asteraceae family has daisy-like flowers aggregated into tight heads, with the leaves being either opposite or alternate, and simple or compound (6). There are 31 genera making up this family, the most well known being Achillea, Coreopsis, Dahlia, Liatris, Rudbeckia and Zinnia.

There are 9 Echinacea species, all of which are native to North American prairies (6). E. purpurea is distinguished from other species by its oval coarsely toothed leaves, flatter disk, and the orange-tipped bristles on the flower heads (10). E. purpurea stands 3 feet in height and blooms from June to October. Popular cultivars include ‘Alba’, which is pure white, ‘The King’, a dark red, ‘Nana’, which is pink and stands only 1 foot high, and ‘White Lustre’, a creamy white. ‘Magnus’ stands out for having horizontally radiating flower petals that are carmine pink to red. Most other species and varieties have strictly pendulous petals. E. angustifolia has narrow petals. E. purpurea, angustifolia, and pallida are the 3 species used for medicinal purposes.

History:

Echinacea is derived from a Greek word meaning "hedgehog", apparently referring to the scales of the receptacles, which tend to be prickly (6). Along with the name Echinacea, cultivation of this beauty is an age-old tale. Various species of Echinacea have been used for centuries by Native Americans. Primary uses being cold prevention and also as a topical application for snake and insect bites (3). In 1887, Dr. John King included Echinacea in his book The American Dispensatory, a guide to various medicines. Echinacea was popular among medical professionals in the 19th century. John Uri Lloyd, a Cincinnati pharmacist famous for his research on herbal medicine, often recommended Echinacea (3). By the early 20th century Echinacea had lost its popularity and had vanished from U.S. medicine. In the 1930’s the German doctor Gerhard Madaus came to the U.S. to collect seed from E. angustifolia. Dr. Madaus was the founder of Madaus AG, a leading herbal medicine manufacturer in Cologne, Germany. Interestingly enough, when he returned to Germany he accidentally returned with E purpurea seeds, instead of the angustifolia. This "mistake" resulted in Echinacin, a preparation of juice from the flowers, leaves and stems (3). Alkylamides, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides and polyacetylenes are the most important active ingredients in Echinacea. Concentrations of the above vary with species, with a range of .1% (E. angustifolia) to 2% (E. pallida) in the roots. The essential oil components are sesquiterpene derivatives, borneol, and alpha-pinene (1). 

Propagation:

Echinacea can be propagated by seed, through crown division, or by using 4-5" root cuttings. Tissue culture is being tested and will hopefully be available for a more convenient use. Seeds seem to be the best choice since the roots are the commonly harvested part of the plant. Stratification of the seeds is recommended for a more uniform germination (10). Seeds sown in the fall after ripening will germinate the following spring. To get ahead, seeds can be started in the greenhouse in fall and be blooming by April for early spring sales. This is more for the sale of the entire plant for garden purposes, not for plant products.

Cultural Practices:

Echinacea is a relatively easy to grow, tolerant, low maintenance plant. For production purposes, whether you are focusing on the roots or the flowers, optimizing your conditions is the obvious plan to attain the best plant possible. High fertilization is not recommended when growing Echinacea for its roots because the result would be excessive vegetative growth with a fairly weakened root system (8). A balanced fertilizer low in nitrogen with adequate phosphorous and potassium is recommended. Site selection should always be considered when making fertilizer recommendations. Organic fertilizers such as bone meal, clover, and composted manure are excellent choices, as well as such minimal input such as alternating a green crop with the Echinacea.

Echinacea grown in the greenhouse and transplanted into the field in spring has provided better results than the direct seeding approach (9). If directly seeding into the nursery, it may take two years to achieve an Echinacea plant hardy enough to sustain field conditions, whereas starting them indoors nearly cuts this time in half (9). Greenhouse production, although initially an expensive investment, would be an economically practical and fruitful choice (8).

When Echinacea is ready for field planting the recommended spacing is as follows:

--12" between each plant (on either side)

--5 rows/bed

--12" between beds

*This will result in approximately 30,500 plants per acre on average, in a 4-year rotation.

Echinacea do extremely well in full sun in a moderately rich and well-drained loam or sandy loam soil. They prefer a slightly alkaline pH of 6-7. They are drought tolerant but like most plants will do better with additional soil moisture. Again the need for this irrigation is dependent upon the initial site selection.

Weed control will lead to better plant growth. Plastic or bark mulch is highly recommended as an efficient organic weed control (5). If needed, there are herbicides registered for the use on Echinacea. These include Metolachlor, DCPA, Oxadiazon, Pendimethalin, Oryzalin, and Terbacil.

Very few disease problems exist in Echinacea production. The only known pathogens include two bacteria which cause leaf spots, Cercospora rudbeckii PK. And Septoria lepachydis Ell. & Ev. and Phymatotrichum omnivorum (Shear) Dug, a fungus that causes a root rot. Three viral pathogens have also been shown to infect Echinacea; cucumber mosaic, broad bean wilt and mosaic (5). Most Echinacea is grown organically, so most disease counteractants are, of the most part, preventative measures. 

Following reliable and clean cultural practices is by far the best option. Such practices include removal of diseased debris to prevent pest overwintering, and aeration of the plantings by means of less dense plantings to decrease the occurrence of fungal problems are the best options. Other minor pests of the purple coneflower are Japanese beetles and Pratylenchus penetrans, a nematode, which has shown to cause a 10% annual loss in some regions (5).

It is not yet known when the best time to harvest is. It is common for roots to be harvested in the fall after the first frost. Plants are usually allowed approximately 2 years to establish in the field before a root harvest takes place. They are then washed and air-dried. The flowers and leaves are harvested at various stages (depending on purpose) but there is no documentation of the effects that leaf harvesting has upon the growth of the root system.

Final Product:

Echinacea for the consumer arrives in health food stores and pharmacies in a multitude of ways (9). Some growers process extract from their crops and develop their own brands. This form will most likely be found in health food stores. If these brands are successful the growers will then buy crops from other small growers to meet the heavy demand. Large crops are generally sold to processors who then produce various types of extract to sell to large pharmaceutical manufacturers. The final forms are capsules, liquid extract or tincture, which is then bottled under the manufacturers’ label.

Utilization:

Echinacea is used in a variety of ways. As an ornamental the plant is chosen for its toughness, beauty, and fragrant flowers.  Because it is a native plant, it can be used in the landscape to naturalize areas, keeping the beauty of the Midwest alive. It can be used to attract butterflies to your garden, as a specimen plant, to create a prairie or a bog, or just a beautiful addition to a wildflower meadow. It is sold by nurseries and native seed sources. Echinacea can be bought in containers, bare root, or as seed.

All Echinacea cultivars make excellent cut flowers. These can be used in fresh or dried arrangements.As a medicinal product Echinacea comes to the consumer as dry-root, in capsules or tablets, as an extract, or as a tincture.

Economics:

Echinacea production promises to be an increasingly profitable business. Consumers are buying excessive amounts of "natural health remedies" with Echinacea being the favorite pick. There is very little information on the actual cultivation of Echinacea, which suggests to some that this is a rather "closed door" system, when in fact it is most likely due to the relative new nature of this crop. Growth of Echinacea farming, although promising, is actually rather slow. The current lag is possibly due to the following two factors:

   1.The time and labor involved in growing and marketing knocks many potential farmers out quite quickly.
   2.It takes several years for a grower to establish a reputation for a quality product and steady production (8).

There is also very little easily accessible published information on this crop and because of this growers seem to keep
reinventing the wheel. Popularity of medicinal herbs has led to demand outstripping knowledge. Government agencies and
banking institutions have yet to catch up with the alternative healthcare trend. Standardization of herbal remedies is the key to guarantee quality to the consumer (9). In time it is hoped that specific guidelines will be spelled out for manufacturers and growers alike. Standards and shared knowledge will open the doors to numerous research opportunities to produce larger quantities for the growing interest. The need for high quality perennial flowers in the market is also growing. Echinacea is easy to produce with little maintenance requirements. The plants are hardy to zone 4 and are tolerant of varying soil types, which widens the choice for site selection.

Conclusion:

Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia have both received raving reviews by consumers as the "plant that has it all". As a
medicinal herb, it has become a best seller, and is known worldwide as an effective immunostimulant. From the landscape to the greenhouse and on to your medicine cabinet, this plant promises to become a highly profitable investment for your pocket as well as for your mind.

****Preparation of a Tincture****

-Harvest roots in 2nd season

-Use 1 ounce crushed dried herb steeped in 5 ounces of alcohol for 6 weeks (Grain alcohol is used by Herbalists, but vodka or brandy will suffice)

-Store in a dry space, shaking the bottle every few days (4).
 
 References

  1. Bauer, R. and H. Wagner. 1991. Echinacea species as potential immunostimulatory drugs. H. Wagner and N.R. Farnsworth (eds.). Econ. Medicinal Plant Res. 5: 253-321.
  2. Bomme, U., J. Holzl, C. Hessler, and T. Stahn. 1992. How does the cultivar influence active compound content and yield of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench with reference to its pharmaceutical use? I. Results of one year’s cultivation.
    Bayerisches Landwirschaftliches Jahrbuch. 69: 1149-164.
  3. Brown, D.J. 1996. Herbal Rx for the immune system: Echinacea can help fight off a myriad of ills. (The Herbalist).
    Vegetarian Times. 229. pp. 92-94.
  4. Franklin, C. 1996. The doctor’s healthful garden. Better Homes and Gardens. 74:3. pp. 62-66.
  5. Li, T.S.C. 1998. Echinacea: Cultivation and medicinal value. Hort Technology. 8:122-127.
  6. Still, S.M. Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants. 1994. Stipes Pub. Co. Ill.
  7. Wolfe, J. 1996. Natural-born healers. Men’s Health. 11:3. pp. 68-69.
  8. Echinacea growers resource page. Echinacea farm. 1998. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/5760/.
  9. What is Echinacea? What is Echinacea and how is it regulated? 1998. http://www.egregore.com/
  10. Guide to medicinal herbs online. Echinacea. 1998. http://www.egregore.com/


Commercial Production of Ginseng and Goldenseal

Ginseng

Ginseng is an herb that has been used for centuries in the Orient for medicinal purposes. Since the 18th century, American
ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) has been dug from the wild and exported to the Orient. Ginseng has provided millions of dollars in income to Kentucky diggers, dating back to large shipments reportedly made by Daniel Boone. Currently, sales of ginseng bring in around $5 million annually to Kentucky diggers of wild ginseng and growers of cultivated ginseng.

Because wild ginseng commands prices well over $200 per lb., much wild ginseng is being dug at a very young age and early in the season before the plants have a chance to produce seed. This has resulted in concern that our wild populations may be exterminated as has occurred with wild ginseng in China. The federal government has placed ginseng on the list of plants that may be in danger of extinction; each state must have a program of ginseng certification, monitoring, and research to comply with federal requirements for ginseng export. As a result of relatively high prices being paid for wild ginseng roots, there has been increased interest in growing ginseng as a cultivated crop.

Plant Characteristics

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) belongs to the Aralia family (Araliaceae). The plant is native to rich, hardwood forests in the eastern United States and Canada. The seed produced in the umbel requires 18-20 months of after-ripening before a plant will appear. The seedlings have three leaflets, somewhat resembling wild strawberry leaves. Older plants fork, and each fork (or "prong") usually holds three to five palmately arranged leaflets. Additional prongs are produced annually or biennially. Mature plants are 1 to 2' tall, and mature stems are about the diameter of a pencil.

The leaves turn yellow and the stems die each fall, leaving a scar where the stem was attached to the root. A new bud for next season's stem is formed on the opposite side of the root in mid-summer. The age of a particular root can be estimated by counting the scars.

Ginseng plants usually begin to lower and set seed in their third growing season. A cluster of greenish-white blossoms forms an umbel on the stalk in June or July. Small green berries about the size of small beans are produced, and in late summer, the berries turn red. Each berry contains one to three flat seeds. Ginseng appears to be self-pollinated.

Cultivated plants become increasingly larger until their fourth, fifth, or sixth year, after which growers usually harvest the roots for market. At this time, roots are up to 4" long, 1" thick, and are often forked.

Selecting a Growing Site

Ginseng has rather specific soil and light requirements. The soil must be moist, well-drained and high in organic matter. Plants are quite susceptible to diseases on poorly-drained soil, and roots do not develop well in heavy clay soils. Sandy soils must be amended with organic matter. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is desirable, and soils should have good supplies of calcium and phosphorus.

Ginseng will not tolerate much sun; 70 to 80% shade must be provided. Excess shade will reduce yields of roots and seeds, while too much sun will burn the leaves, reduce yields or even kill plants. Shade can be provided in a wooded area or under a lath or polypropylene shade house. The best wooded sites are those with long-lived, deep-rooted, deciduous trees. Oak hickory, beech, poplar, and walnut trees are good, although oak leaves do not decompose quickly and may smother small plants. Ginseng roots may be stunted or difficult to dig under shallow-rooted trees, and short-lived trees may leave gaps in the canopy as they die. Shallow-rooted or short-lived trees include maples, elms, elders, redbud, dogwood, and ash. 

Preparing the Soil

Ginseng seeds or roots can be planted in seedbeds or in permanent beds. Seedbeds should be well-tilled, with no weeds,
grasses, or roots remaining. The soil should be worked to a depth of 6" or more.

To prepare permanent beds under artifical shade, plow, disc, and rotovate the soil. Four to six inches of leaves, rotted
sawdust, or other organic material may be worked in to a depth of 8". Have your soil tested early in the planning stage so that any needed fertilizer can be added during the disking or rotovating operations. Do not add chemical fertilizer to the soil unless a soil test indicates the need, since high fertility may induce rank growth, lower disease resistance, and lower the resemblance of the cultivated root to a wild root.

In a wooded site, remove all of the understory growth and any large trees that are not necessary for shade. A bulldozer may be necessary to clear large areas. If so, do not use a regular cutting blade but a blade with spikes spaced 1' apart on the bottom. These spikes will remove vines while keeping leaves and topsoil intact. Disc the soil 6 to 8" deep, going over the area repeatedly in different directions. Calcium, phosphorus, and limestone should be added during the initial soil preparation as indicated by soil tests. After rotovating, throw the soil from the walkways into the beds with a bed maker or a spade. Four-foot-wide beds are convenient for most people to work, but some growers make beds as wide as 6'. The beds should be about 6 to 8' high. Raised beds are very essental to allow for good drainage. The crowns of the beds should be slightly rounded. Try to situate trees in the beds, not in the paths.

Building a Shade House

Ginseng may be grown under "artificial" shade in houses made of wood lath or polypropylene shade cloth. Support posts are usually 4x4" treated lumber, or 6" diameter locust or cedar posts cut to 9' so that 2' may be buried and the structure will be 7' high. For a lath house the posts are set on 12' intervals in a north-south direction and on 11' intervals in an east-west direction. The posts running in the N-S direction are connected by 2x6" riders nailed to the top edge of the post. The inside riders are all 12' long; 14' riders are used on the ends to give a 2' overhang. The lath frames are constructed of three lx3" runners 12' long to which 4' lath are stapled. The laths (usually white cedar) are 1 1/2x3/8" and are spaced 5/8" apart; 7" at each end of the frames have no laths.

Support posts for polypropylene houses are spaced 24' on center and are connected by 1/4" cables over or through the posts. Dead men are buried in the ground to anchor the cables. The shade fabric is conneded to the cable with S-hooks which pass through grommets in the fabric. The shade material must be removed each fall to avoid damage from snow.

The approximate amounts of materials required for a 1-acre shade house are:
Polypropylene house
  posts--100
  cables--4720'
  shade cloth--5760 sq yd
Lath house
  posts-- 361
  riders--4360'
  lath--~1200, 4x12' shades

Planting Seeds or Roots

Ginseng beds can be started with stratified seeds or with one or two-year-old roots. (Stratified seeds are seeds that have been kept in moist sand for about a year. If planted in the fall, they will germinate and produce plants the following spring.) Spacing of ginseng roots can vary from 2x6" to 8x8". Stratified seed are purchased for shipment and seeding in the fall. The preferred times for sowing stratified seed are October and November. Seed can be sown in the spring; however, if it's not done early (late February to early March) much of the seed may sprout, necessitating hand planting. For direct seeding the seed are usually sown with a mechanical seeder; garden seeders are commonly used for small plantings. Sieve the seed free of the sand in which it was stratified, then place in a bucket of water to float off dead, empty seed. Spoon the seed out and allow it to surface dry so that it will flow readily in the mechanical seeder. A setting on the mechanical seeder for peas or beets usually works well. Sow the seed 1/2 to 1" deep in rows 6 or 8 inches apart. If you do not use a seeder you may hand drop the seed  into furrows and cover by raking. Another method of hand seeding and spacing at the same time is to cut a 5' piece of reinforcement wire with 6" squares, lay it down on the raised bed and dibble 2-3 seed in the center of each square. Seed rows are usually 6" apart, and this method sets both seed row spacing and sparing between the plants in the row.

Seeds can be started in seedbeds and transplanted to permanent locations later. This method allows a smaller area of ground to be prepared initially and makes weed control easier. Also, when the roots are being transplanted a year or two later, diseased roots can be discarded. There are 7000-8000 seed per lb.

Most growers report sowing 50 to l00 pounds of seed per acre. The seeding rate will vary with the row spacing, the
within-row spacing, the bed width and the path width. Growers who sow 50 to 100 lb. of seed per acre are spacing plants much closer than 4x6" in the rows since all seed will not germinate. However, ginseng usually germinates at about a 70% level. Higher and lower germination percentages frequently occur. Large growers prefer to sow at the higher rates to avoid skips or bare spots in their beds.

Plantings may be started by purchasing 1-year-old roots. This is more expensive than starting from seeds. There are two major advantages to starting with roots for the novice who wants firsthand experience at growing ginseng before attempting a larger commercial planting. First, the roots can be spaced so as to make maximum use of the area planted. Second, the plants will come into flowering and seeding one year sooner, providing the grower with seed for further expansion.

Mulching

Ginseng should be mulched to simulate the cool, moist conditions of the forest floor, to smother weeds and to prevent frost heaving in the winter. Mulching should be done immediately after fall seeding, using 1 to 2" of organic material.

Prior to the growing season, there shout be 2 to 3" of mulch on the beds. Leaf litter, sawdust or straw can be used. You will need about 3,000 cubic feet of sawdust or at least 2 tons of straw to mulch an acre. Mulch may encourage rodents that feed on seeds and roots. Rodent poison should be used during the entire year.

Harvesting Seeds

Seed from plants 3 years old and older are harvested beginning in August as the berries turn red. Several pickings are needed for maximum seed harvest. The seed has an immature embryo and will not germinate until it receives cycles of cool and warm temperatures, usually requiring 18 months to complete. In order to provide the proper conditions to mature the embryo, seed should be de-pulped and placed in moist sand.

De-pulping can be accomplished by placing the berries in cloth bags and mashing them daily for about 5 days to burst the
berries and free the seeds. The pulp and empty seeds can be floated off and the seeds washed. Clean seeds should be placed in moist sand in a box with a screen top and bottom and held under natural conditions outdoors by burying the box in a well-drained area. The top of the box should be at least 4" below the soil. An alternate method is to place the box of seed in a protected building or basement area where temperatures will be below 45°F during the winter but will not go below 25°F for extended periods. Check the seed regularly to be sure that the sand is moist. The seed need a short, warm-moist period (1 to 2 months) followed by a cool-moist period (3 to 5 months) followed by another warm-moist period (4 to 6 months) and finally another cool-moist period (3 to 5 months).

Growers have reported seed yields of 150 to 250 lb. per acre. With a market value of around $100 per lb., seed should bring about $10,000 to $25,000 per acre per year once the plants come of seed bearing age.

Harvesting and Drying Roots

The roots can be harvested once they reach a fresh weight of about 1 ounce, usually within 4 or 5 years. They are harvested in the fall after the leaves die.

Damaged roots are much less valuable than whole roots; harvest the roots carefully to avoid breakage. Harvesting can be done by hand, with a garden fork or with a mechanical digger which is a modified potato digger. Roots are placed in a tub or on a screen and washed before the soil attached to them dries.

Roots can be dried in the open or in drying rooms with forced hot air. If dried outdoors, place the roots on screens in the
shade. Turn them daily and inspect for mold. If mold is present they can be moved into the sun but only for short periods; avoid overheating.

Once the roots are dry, store them in a dry, rodent-proof area until they are ready to be sold. Many growers store and ship ginseng in large cardboard drums that hold 50 to 100 lb. of roots each. One acre should yield at least 1500 to 2000 lb. of dry roots.

Pests and Diseases

Insects, diseases, rodents, weeds, and thieves may all plague ginseng gardens. Pesticides are rarely labeled for use on minor crops such as ginseng due to the substantial commitment of time and money necessary to obtain registration. However, work is underway to obtain the information necessary for pesticide use on the crop.

Insect pests of ginseng are basically those that feed on a variety of plants that grow in "ginseng-type" habitats. Insects are not a major problem.

Ginseng diseases occur on both foliage and roots. Diseases of leaves and stems are usually caused by fungi and include
Alternaria blight, gray mold (Botrytis), and anthracnose. Root rot diseases are caused by Alternaria, Phytophthora, Ramularia, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and Verticillium fungi. Root knot nematodes may also be a problem. Many diseases can be controlled using fungicides; however, few compounds are cleared and labeled for use.

Rodents, such as voles or field mice, can do a great deal of damage to established ginseng beds, especially in wooded areas where trees are used as shade. These creatures make holes into the beds or get into tunnels made by moles and then feed on the ginseng roots. Grain treated with zinc phosphide or Warfarin, is used by some growers to help solve this problem.

Weeds can also be a serious problem. Only a limited amount of research has been done with the use of herbicides on ginseng beds. Hand pulling of weeds combined with the use of a mulch is the only recommendation at present.

Theft is one of the major concerns of Kentucky ginseng growers.

Goldenseal

The juice of the fresh roots of Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) has been used as a dye. The dried roots are extremely bitter tasting. The desirable compounds in the root are the alkaloids hydrastine and berberine. The dried roots are used for many medicinal purposes, especially for eye, skin, and digestive disorders. It is commonly available in health food stores as a tea, powder, or in capsule form.

Goldenseal is a naive perennial and occurs over the same range and under the same wooded conditions as ginseng. The cultural requirements for Goldenseal are the same as for ginseng and it is often grown under the same wooded conditions or shade structure. Goldenseal is an excellent crop to follow ginseng since a second crop of ginseng usually cannot be grown economically on the same land.

Goldenseal plants emerge in early spring from buds on perennial rootstocks. The plant grows 10-15" tall and each bud
producing usually two leaves. The leaves are five lobed and measure up to 8" long and 12" wide. Flowering occurs in late April or May, and red fruits develop in July or August. The fruit resembles a large red raspberry and contains 10 to 25 seed. The plant dies slowly after the fruits ripen. The root is a horizontal rhizome 1/2&-3/4" thick with many fibrous roots.

Goldenseal is propagated by seed, rhizome divisions, or rootlet cuttings. Seed require stratification (moist-chilling) before they will germinate. Collected fruits should be mashed lightly and fermented in water for several days to facilitate separating the pulp from the seed. The seed should never be allowed to dry; they may be placed in moist sand and kept in a shaded area until fall when they may be sown outdoors in a prepared bed. Cover about 1/2" deep and apply 2" of mulch. Most of the mulch should be removed in spring before the seedlings emerge. The seedlings will not effectively come up through the mulch and will be choked out if the mulch is not removed. The seedlings do not look like the mature plant initially; two rounded cotyledonary leaves appear first. Transplant the rootstocks to permanent beds when the tops die down. Set the rootstocks on a 6-6" or 8-8" spacing.

For vegetative propagation, the rhizomes may be dug in the fall, divided into 1/2" or larger pieces preferably with a bud on each piece. These should be replanted 1" deep and at an 8x8" or greater spacing. The rootlets with buds may be cut in pieces 1 1/2-2" long and replanted 1" deep in a nurse-bed spaced about 1 inch apart. Many rootlets without buds and treated in this same manner will often produce plants. These can be replanted to permanent beds after one or two growing seasons. The beds should be mulched with 2" of bark, leaf mold, or straw for winter protection.

The plants require three to five years growth before harvesting. Often after five years the center portion of the root mass will become crowded and begin to die; plants should be harvested before this occurs. Dig the roots in the fall after the tops have died down. Wash and dry gently; artificial heat may be used, but do not cook the roots. Retain as many of the fibrous roots as possible. The dry weight will be about 30% of fresh weight. The leaves and stems also have commercial value but must be harvested while still green (about September) and dried. Harvesting stems and leaves will reduce root growth, so this should be delayed as long as possible.

L.P. Stoltz
University of Kentucky

Hemp: Many possibilities as an alternative crop
By Jim Bauder and Linzy Carlson (10/3/01)
MSU Land Resources and Environmental Sciences

Most people know that industrial hemp has been a source of rope, cloth and paper since ancient times, but few recognize its incredible potential today. It represents an ecologically stable, renewable source of raw materials to make such diverse products as automobile fuel, plastics, building materials and food for animals and people.

The agronomics of hemp are pretty standard. Start with a light textured soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5 worked into a firm, level seedbed at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a regular grain drill, seed 35-60 pounds per acre (depending on seed weight and germination rate). Because hemp plant density chokes out weeds, it grows well without herbicides. It naturally resists attack from bugs and fungi, reducing the need for pesticides and fungicides. In contrast, almost half of all agricultural chemicals used in the U.S. are applied to cotton. Hemp requires 12-16 inches of water over the course of its 120-150 day growing season. 

Harvesting hemp involves either swathing and baling it for fiber use or combining it for seed. Hemp can be grown for both fiber and seed, but this often sacrifices the quality of both. Yields range from 3-4 tons/acre for fiber and 300-600 pounds/acre for seed, depending on soil quality.

Once harvested, hemp seed can be processed into oil, which can then be made into oil for human consumption, lotions, soaps, salves and plastics. Hemp seed can also be made into flour, wine, beer and even candy.

The seed is highly nutritious, containing more essential fatty acids than any other source. It is high in B-vitamins and contains 35 percent dietary fiber. It is second only to soybeans in complete protein and is actually more digestible by humans.

Hemp can be manufactured into biodegradable plastic products, such as plant-based cellophane and resins, and materials previously made entirely from synthetic fibers. For example, the automobile industry has been using natural fibers, similar to those from hemp, in composite materials used to make door panels and moldings and for insulation, carpets and fabrics. The aviation industry has also been taking a closer look at natural fiber, because in plane crashes people often die not only from the impact but also from inhalation of toxic fumes from burning synthetic materials. Aside from being more ecologically friendly than synthetics, natural fibers lead to stronger, lighter products while causing less wear and tear on manufacturing equipment.

Important early documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, were written on hemp paper, so making paper from hemp and other natural fibers is certainly not new technology. In today's age of recycling, hemp can be added to recycled pulp to add strength, since each time paper is recycled the original wood fibers get short and weaker. Hemp paper can be recycled seven times, while wood paper only lasts three recyclings. Hemp fiber has less lignin than wood pulp, thus reducing the quantity of environmentally hazardous chemicals needed for processing. Plus, the finished hemp paper has no acid, so it does not become brittle and yellow with age.

One of the downsides of hemp is that it is potentially a noxious weed. It has the potential to escape, and it is very competitive and a very efficient in its water use.

Perhaps the most exciting use of hemp is in the production of biofuels, the diesel and gasoline-like fuels made from hemp oil, vegetable oil or animal fats. Once again, this is not new technology. In 1895 Dr. Rudolf Diesel invented the first peanut oil powered diesel engine and Henry Ford strongly supported using ethanol made from American grown oilseed crops, such as hemp. Wood paper and petroleum based fuels and plastics came to dominate the markets, but relatively recent concerns of smog, acid rain, health problems and dependence on foreign oil have revived thoughts of hemp's many benefits. And there are numerous advantages to hemp-derived biofuels for both gasoline and diesel engines. The following list deals with a specific biofuel called biodiesel.

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. Its use can extend the life of diesel engines, because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel.

Fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel and it is a proven fuel with over 30 million successful US road miles and over 20 years of use in Europe.

It can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored. 

Biodiesel is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt and has a high flashpoint of about 300 degrees Fahrenheit compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 125 degrees F.

When burned in a diesel engine, biodiesel replaces the exhaust odor of petroleum diesel with a smell something akin to french fries.

Biodiesel is 11 percent oxygen by weight and contains no sulfur, so instead of creating sulfur-based smog and acid rain as by-products, it produces oxygen instead. Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp.

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel in the US to complete EPA Tier I Health Effects Testing under section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act, which provide the most thorough inventory of environmental and human health effects attributes that current technology will allow. The Congressional Budget Office, Department of Defense, US Department of Agriculture and others have determined that biodiesel is the low cost alternative fuel option for fleets to meet requirements of the Energy Policy Act.

Ask any American what environmental problems they are most concerned with and undoubtedly the response will contain mention of rapidly filling landfills, air and water pollution and the adverse affects of these factors on earth's plant, animal and human population. Ask any American farmer what needs to be done to help the flailing agricultural economy and part of the solution will probably entail integration of alternative crops into conventional farming operations. With this in mind, hemp may help provide both economic and ecological stability.

For more information, you can access the following web sites:

http://www.globalhemp.com/News/2001/July/hemp_fuel.shtml

http://www.artistictreasure.com/learnmorecleanair.html

http://www.parascope.com/mx/hemp03.htm

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/hemp/bko01s01.html

For additional information contact your local MSU Fergus County Extension Agent.

 

Organic Farming Regulations and Contacts in Montana
By Jim Bauder
MSU Extension Soil and Water Quality Specialist

A relatively simple definition of "organic farming" might be farming with the exclusive use of plant production and protection agents that have not been synthesized by chemical-altering industrial processes. Some people would like to say that organic farming uses only organic inputs, but, this is not really the case.

People think of organic materials as occurring naturally in the environment, which could include substances like rock phosphate. From a chemistry perspective, organic means compounds with a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen complex. In reality, one can't simply say that organic farming involves only organic crop production inputs, because some naturally occurring materials such as rock phosphate, potassium chloride (potash) and elemental sulfur are not organic, but are, in fact, inorganic
compounds.

But, what about organic farming opportunities and information in Montana?

Steve Baril, Montana Department of Ag, was a great help and source of most of the following information. 

Organic Petition

Federal rules and standards define organic farming. The Federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 lists rules and guidelines (http:// www.ams.usda.gov/nop/orgact.htm). The federal law and regulations, when they are adopted, will establish standards for selling or labeling food as organically produced.

On Dec. 15, 1997 the USDA proposed long-awaited federal regulations to implement the National Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. After massive objections, USDA withdrew the proposed regulations. Some of the key objections were related to USDA's proposals to allow biosolids (sewage sludge), irradiation, inerts of unknown toxicity and genetically engineered foods to be acceptable components of organic farming; as well as concerns that authority being handed to USDA to authorize allowable materials might usurp the role of the National Organic Standards Board. USDA is revising its rules and will publish them soon for public comments. 

In 1999, the Montana legislature enacted enabling legislation for a state organic certification program to be administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture. Ralph Peck placed the program in the Agricultural Sciences Division. Upon petition from 50 percent or more of the certified organic producers, processors and handlers in Montana, the department will develop
a plan for state organic certification. The plan must conform with the requirements of the National Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, so the development of Montana's program is contingent upon USDA adopting its regulations.

The state's organic certification, when implemented, will not be the exclusive program for producers. They will still have the option to be certified by private certification agencies. The state's program will, however, provide an option for persons to access markets where certification from a government agency is required. Currently, in Montana, organic labeling is still subject to standards of the "Montana Truth in Labeling Act for Organic Foods" (50-31-221 et seq, MCA), administered by
the Department of Health and Human Services. This law will sunset upon the implementation of a state organic certification program pursuant to the 1999 law.

Here are some 1999 contacts for organic associations.

Private Organic Certification Organizations include:

This information was assembled with the assistance, contributions and support of Steve Baril, Montana Department of Ag, Agricultural Services Division.