The Eagle Feather Organic Farm, owned and operated by Robert Eidus is home to the North Carolina Ginseng and Goldenseal Co.

Among their many acclamations, the Eagle Feather Farm has been designated as a Native Botanical Sanctuary by United Plant Savers, and is also a designated North Carolina Nursery by the NC Department of Agriculture. Since 1993, the NC Ginseng and Goldenseal Company has been growing organic medicinal herbs such as ginseng, goldenseal, and a variety of other woodland botanicals in a natural hardwoods cove.

Madison County is home to some of the most potent and high quality ginseng in the world, and the Eagle Feather Organic Farm has a reputation for excellence. Here they distribute everything from roots, seeds, and rhizomes to tinctures and capsules, all the while practicing sustainable agriculture.

The Eagle Feather Farm has books, a video, classes, apprenticeships, and tours that further teach and address the natural ways of growing such beneficial herbs as Ginseng, Goldenseal, Black Cohosh, Gotu Kola, and Echinacea, while maintaining a sustainable environment. As the plants are grown in their own habitat, the use of tractors and many other such cash crop farming methods are not necessary.

In 2001 the price for wild chemical free ginseng was $350-$380 per pound, while chemically sprayed ginseng, and ginseng grown in artificial environments went for $18 dollars per pound. The price of ginseng increased to $1,100 in 2013, up from $450 in 2006. Robert Eidus and the Eagle Feather Farm have a lot to share about the wealth of sustainable resources to be found here in Madison County, NC.

The Southern Appalachian School for Growing Medicinal Plants holds classes at the Eagle Feather Farm. These classes teach many of the aspects of organic farming in the woods with forest crops. This herbal growing school features a series of DVDs, “Plants and Their Friends,” and teachers who are experts in their fields. See the calendar for more information.

Robert Eidus, owner, holds farm tours (by appointment only) as the interest in this form of agriculture is growing, and agri-tourism has added it’s name to the list of reasons for folks to come on out to this beautiful county. You can find out more about the North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Co. by contacting Robert Eidus at 300 Indigo Bunting Lane in Marshall, NC 28753. Call (828) 649-3536 or e-mail eidusbiz@gmail.com.

You can view our current schedule by clicking here.
For a map to the farm click here.
Purchase DVDs — Visit our online store.

Rates shown may change without notice. Additional fees may be required. No pets are allowed. For additional details, please refer to our Guest Agreement.

The Garden Cabin

$80/night

To book a stay at the Garden Cabin, please call Robert Eidus at (828) 649-3536 or email eidusbiz@gmail.com

The Nature Lodge

$65/night

To book a stay at the Nature Lodge, please call Robert Eidus at (828) 649-3536 or email eidusbiz@gmail.com

The Hermitage

$40/night

To book a stay at The Hermitage, please call Robert Eidus at (828) 649-3536 or email eidusbiz@gmail.com

Directions to the farm can be found Here

For additional details about lodging at Eagle Feather Farm, please read the Guest Agreement

There are many types of individuals that visit our farm. Typically they fall into one of the following categories:

Guests who have paid for overnight accommodations at the farm.

Volunteers/Agrotourism – Guests who visit the Farm for a few hours to a full day. Volunteers bring their own food to the farm, and are provided the tools needed to complete their work, however, bringing your own tools is a plus. Volunteers take home finished products (such as fresh herbs, plants, seeds, etc.) and work a couple of hours.

Interns – Guests who live and work on the Farm for 2 to 14 days. Interns work 5-7 hours per week, and are provided accommodation at the farm.

Apprentices – Committed forest farmers who live nearby and are interested in learning how to grow herbs and start their own farm. Apprentices visit the farm regularly for a minimum of one year and participate in a custom learning program.

Accommodations

The accommodations on the Farm are comfortably rustic. There are several different sleeping areas including:

The Loft is a private, enclosed room in the lodge with a king size bed. There is electricity and a wood stove heater in the Loft and several windows that keep it plenty cool during the warmer months.

The Hermitage is a private one-room cabin located 3-minutes by foot up the hill from the main farm area. The Hermitage has no electricity, but has screened windows for fresh mountain air. There is a wooden bunk bed frame with a single sized bed on top and double on the bottom. This is a great private space for short or long term guests. For comfort, sleeping mats are highly recommended.

The Garden Cabin is a private one room cabin located in the sunny garden. The cabin has electricity, and screened windows for fresh mountain air. This is a great space for short or long term guests. For comfort, sleeping mats are highly recommended.

The Yoga Room is a large multipurpose room with various pieces of furniture including a small couch, several chairs, desks, etc. The room features a shared kitchen, plenty of electric outlets, and lots of windows with screens.

The Camping Platform is about a 5-minute walk up the hill behind the main farm area. This wooden platform is ideal for tent camping as it offers a wide flat surface in the middle of beautiful forest.

Guest Amenities

Restroom: There is one restroom available for all guests to share. We now have a composting toilet.

Shower: There is a private indoor shower with hot water (from April to October).

Kitchen: There is a shared kitchen. It has a 2 burner electric cook top and counter space to work on, and a refrigerator. Running water is available from April to October. Guests may bring their own coolers/containers for their own food storage. There are pots, pans, plates, cups, utensils, and bowls to use depending on how many guests are currently staying. It is helpful to bring your own eating utensils such as plate, bowl, fork, spoon, knife, etc.

Food: No meals are provided.

Laundry: There is no washing machine on premises. There is a clothesline. The closest laundromat is located in Marshall.

WiFi: Wireless Internet is available at the main house deck. Spotty in other locations.

Please, no pets, tobacco, or firearms. 

For more information, please see the Guest Agreement, or contact Robert Eidus at (828) 649-3536 or email eidusbiz@gmail.com

Guest Guidelines

NO pets are allowed.

NO tobacco products: It is imperative that the plants grow in as natural a setting as possible, therefore no tobacco products (cigarettes, chew/dip, etc.) or illegal drugs are allowed on Eagle Feather Organic Farm property. Alcohol is allowed, in moderation.

We like to keep a peaceful work environment, so no loud music may be played, however guests are welcome to bring their own headphones if they like to enjoy personal music as they work.

Help Keep it Clean

Since all of us share work spaces and tools, it’s essential that everyone clean up after themselves, not only in your personal sleeping area, but also in the kitchen, bathroom, potting shed, etc. Tools and supplies should be cleaned and put back where they belong after each use. Bringing your own handtools and gloves is appreciated.

Bring Environmentally Friendly Products

When using a shower like the one that we have at the Farm, it’s very important to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. All products should be biodegradable, so we recommend bringing those made by Seventh Generation, Brommer’s, etc. These types of products are becoming more readily available in mainstream stores, however natural groceries (Whole Foods, Fresh Market, etc., are also a good place to find them). Water is precious in the mountains so we take quick, but enjoyable showers to conserve as much as possible.

You are Responsible for Compost and Garbage

We request that guests adhere to an organic or all natural diet. All food scraps, with the exception of meat products, need to be put in the covered compost. This compost is then covered with leaves to help fertilize the soil. Everyone will take turns taking out all other garbage and recyclables off the Farm.

No open fires are allowed at the Farm without permission. We prefer wood to deteriorate and turn to dirt rather than to be burned and create air pollution.

We typically have early mornings, with staff meetings beginning at 9 a.m. In the evening, quiet hours start at 10 p.m. (all electricity off) and all guests should be on the property by 11 p.m., unless specific arrangements have been made. These recommendations help keep a peaceful environment for everyone.

Firearms are not allowed on the Farm without permission. We sustain a nonviolent atmosphere, where everyone respects each other in a positive way. Any conflicts between guests and/or staff are resolved in a respectful and positive manner.

Respect for the plants and the Farm is also essential. Guests should stay on marked paths through the forest for their, and the plants, safety.

Living on the farm is living in a small community. Guests should think of their fellow workers like roommates and respect each other as such.

Guests should always ask questions if they don’t understand any of the tasks they are asked to complete. It’s always better to double-check with staff before continuing on if there is any question. Guests provide incredible help to Farm staff, so we don’t want to have to redo any of the guests’ hard work.

Proper Attire

For your comfort and safety we require wearing the proper attire while staying at the Farm.

Garden attire: The weather varies greatly from one season to another, but lightweight clothing is always best as its protective enough from sun and dirt, but is also not too warm. Closed-toe shoes, not sandals, are recommended.

Forest attire: Socks and closed shoes, long sleeved shirts and long pants are essential when working in the forest to protect your skin for any harmful plants (such as Sister Ivy).

Types of work:

The farm operates on the moon cycle so the specific type of work needed is constantly changing; however, some basic examples include:

– Basic farming ,including planting, harvesting, weeding, watering, etc.*

– Farm upkeep including organizing, cleaning, rearranging supplies, composting, road maintenance, and bank restoration.

*Although some farm work may require lifting, no work will be required of any guest that is beyond their capability or comfort level.

For more information, please contact Robert Eidus at (828) 649-3536 or email eidusbiz@gmail.com

GPS Coordinates:
North 35 degrees, 49.176′
West 82 degrees, 44.508′

Coming from the East, South or West

Go to Asheville, NC, and follow future I-26 (US 19/23) north to Weaverville and take exit 19A toward Marshall. Follow US 25 North / US 70 West toward Marshall, staying on the bypass (do not take Business US 25/70 into Marshall), and go approximately 14 miles.

Turn left at the traffic light, at Lower Brush Creek Road (Gas Station on right). Go one mile to a Stop sign make left onto Sharp Hollow Road. Go approximately one mile to a Stop sign (Barnard Road) and make a left. Follow the winding road over one mile to the French Broad River.

Cross the bridge and turn left, onto Anderson Branch Road. Drive 1.4 miles and then make a left onto gravel road at Indigo Bunting Lane (there will be a lot of mailboxes on the left). Drive up the one-lane gravel road 3/10 of a mile, around a field on your left, and turn right into our driveway. There is no sign. Look for a trailer and farm gate on the left. There are cross ditches along the gravel road so please drive very slowly.

Coming from North (NC Welcome Center)

Drive south on I-26 for 4.7 miles and take exit 11, Mars Hill. At the end of the ramp turn left and follow NC 213 west 8.5 miles. Turn right onto US 25 North / US 70 West. Drive approximately 5 miles and follow the directions above from Lower Brush Creek Road light.