Plants and Their Friends – COVID-19 Support

March 21, 2020

Episode 42 – Guest: Jeannie Dunn, owner of Red Moon Herbs. Important information about the virus, especially SARS-Cov-2 and COVID-19. … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Medicinal Trees

February 20, 2020

Episode 41 – Medicinal Trees. Guest: Abby Artemesia, botanist, herbalist, and founder of the Wander School, thewanderschool.com. Author of “The … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Soil

January 20, 2020

Episode 40 – Soil. Guest: Cynthia Johnson, Moonmade Botanicals, www.moonmaidbotanicals.com. Topics: Organic soil. Alternative and no pesticide gardening. Organic farming. … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Fermentation

December 20, 2019

Episode 39 – Fermentation. Guest: Marc Williams, executive director of Plants & Healers International, plantsandhealers.org. Topics: Probiotics, good and bad. … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Invasive Plants

November 20, 2019

Episode 38 – Guests are Bob Gale from Mountain True and Rhys Burns from Americorp. Bob talks about the first … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – New Diet

September 13, 2019

Episode 37 – Food that is good for us and ways we can eat correctly. Taking steps to practicing good … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Men’s Health

June 18, 2019

Episode 36 – Guest is Marc Williams. Discussion includes: Frank Cook and Plants and Healers International (www.plantsandhealers.org); Rosemary Gladstar, medicinal … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Mary Morgaine Squire

May 28, 2019

Episode 35 – Guest is Mary Morgaine Squire who introduces us to the Appalachian tea ceremony. Mary grew up in … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Alfie Booth

May 21, 2019

Episode 34 – Guest is Alfie Booth, unofficial town gardener for the town of Marshall. Booth was the first perennial … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Smithsonian

May 14, 2019

Episode 33 – Guest is Claire Hazelet, intern with Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Ginseng to be showcased … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Fungi with Christian Marr

April 23, 2019

Episode 32 – Guest is Christian Marr discussing the wonderful world of fungi and their relationship to plants. Mycoremediation, working … Read More

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Plants and Their Friends – Biochar

April 16, 2019

Episode 31 – Greg Gross discusses biochar, Albert Bates new book, Burn, and Bates first book, The Biochar Solution. Using … Read More

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A total of 42 episodes aired on WART 95.5 FM from 2018-2020.

Register Today for this Virtual Class led by Robert Eidus

Private classes are held at Eagle Feather Organic farm, by appointment only, from April to October.

Learn all about Ginseng and Goldenseal. The cultivation of native medicinal plants as a new business opportunity will be mentioned. New marketing strategies and organizations will be highlighted. Minimum of 10 people required. Call Robert at (828) 649-3536 to schedule a class.

Schedule a Class with Robert Eidus

In the Fall

Come join us to see Goldenseal and Ginseng in a forest environment as the plants go down for the fall. We will explore a rich Appalachian cove where these plants live. If possible, the berries will be eaten for their medicinal benefits. The seeds will be placed in a stratification box for a year.

In the Spring

Come join us to explore goldenseal and ginseng in a forest environment as the plants come up for spring. We will explore a rich Appalachian hardwood cove where these plants live and see “baby” ginseng. The class will be spent with hands-on training with the newly sprouted plants.

Robert is Land Steward of Eagle Feather Organic Farm, owner of the North Carolina Ginseng and Goldenseal Company and has written two booklets on growing programs for ginseng and goldenseal in a chemical free environment. He has also produced a video entitled Growing Goldenseal, which is now available.

Workshops are Held at Eagle Feather Organic Farm, Marshall, NC

Call Robert at (828) 649-3536 with questions or to schedule a class. No Dogs Allowed — Carpooling is Encouraged

Need Directions? MAP to FARM

Photos from our 2017 Ginseng Class

2017 Ginseng Class

Slideshow

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North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Company, a former state licensed Ginseng Dealer, was formed in 1993 and is located in Madison County.

Our company has active re-seeding programs for Ginseng and Goldenseal, both “companion” plants often found in the same growing area. We buy and sell Ginseng and Goldenseal. We also teach others how to grow these plants and how to obtain the proper state permits.

North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Company is dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Ginseng and Goldenseal in our natural environment.

Opportunities for Growing

• Do you have land with a North-facing slope?
• Want to Harvest On Your Own Private Land?
• Want to Help Replenish Protected Plant Species?
• Want Extra Income?
• Our Program For Small Farms can get you started.
• Are you looking for an alternative crop to tobacco? See news article >>

Characteristics of Ginseng

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L), has a fleshy root and short stem. It is a perennial. Stem and leaves die in winter but regrow in spring. It is a shade requiring plant, native to hardwood forests, and best adapted to cool, temperate climates. It grows naturally in the western mountains and foothills of North Carolina. Ginseng that grows locally in Madison County has the reputation for being some of the highest quality and potency in the world (see Madison news article). American ginseng root has been exported to the Orient since the early 18th century.

Three Steps to Successful Growing

If interested in growing and harvesting Ginseng or Goldenseal on your land, we can help.

Step 1 – Look at the Growing Site

A Site Visit by one of our company’s representatives may be required to determine if the proper conditions exist for successful growing.

A Site Visit may NOT be necessary if you have determined for yourself the following condition exist at your intended growth area:

1) a well drained North Slope, not in a pasture.

2) a tall, dense deciduous canopy of poplar, beech, maple, dogwood, or oak.

3) the presence of companion plants such as black cohosh, maiden hair fern, jack-in-the-pulpit, trillium, blood root, and false solomonseal, etc.

If unable to determine for yourself that proper conditions exist at the growing site, one of our representatives can conduct a Site Visit, which takes about an hour. This includes a presentation about Ginseng and other medicinal herbs.

Step 2 – Purchase Roots, Seeds or Rhizomes

After determining that you have a proper growing area, our company can provide you with roots, seeds or rhizomes. Visit our online store for more information.

Roots or seeds must be planted in the fall, prior to the first freeze. Ginseng roots can be harvested after 7 years. Goldenseal is harvested after 5 years. The growing site should be monitored at least once per year to check the progress of your crops.

Step 3 – Harvest and Prosper

After your plants have reached maturity, the North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Company will purchase all mature ginseng roots after September 1, when prices for each season are quoted. This is when your farm begins to generate income. At the end of November we will purchase dried or shade dried ginseng roots which have been properly cleaned. Fresh Goldenseal roots are purchased in both the spring and fall.

After harvest, our company will take the “green” roots, individually wash them and air dry them under controlled conditions. When dried, these individual plants are processed for tinctures, capsules, or prized root.

Visit our Services page to schedule a site visit. For more information, call (828) 649-3536 or email eidusbiz@gmail.com.

Goldenseal and Ginseng Together

Dr. Jeanine Davis of the North Carolina Extension Agency recommends that Goldenseal be used as a rotation crop with Ginseng. Because these two are often companion plants in the wild, we also recommend planting both at the same time. We also will help you obtain a Permit for Propagation per North Carolina law, if the grower requests this permit.

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