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The Yellow Creek Botanical Institute relies on what’s
at hand to revitalize a southern Appalachian mountain
community
By Robin Suggs, Executive Director Yellow Creek Botanical
Institute Inc.
| Volunteers
with the Yellow Creek Botanical Institute
in North Carolina help develop sustainable
product technologies for several species
of plants already in demand for the
natural products industry. |
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Several years ago, while working as a county director
of planning and economic development in western
North Carolina, I was faced with the challenge
of influencing land use. Our county was historically
plagued with unemployment rates that hit 12 to
18 percent.
The types of economic development underway weren’t
working. We were looking outside the region for
resources to be brought in – manufacturing
mostly. Even in places with an infrastructure
– four lane highways, natural gas, airports
– industries were going elsewhere. And during
the rapid economic expansion of the 1990s, this
county saw little of the prosperity enjoyed by
much of the nation. Our area was dependent on
non-sustainable business activities. We were loosing
farmland to second-home development, and there
was a marked decrease in air and water quality.
Recognizing these obstacles, I began to visualize
ways in which our small mountain community might
retain its sense of place and participate in the
global economy. Drawing from my increasing knowledge
of community development and small business, and
from my background in horticulture, I conceived
the nonprofit Yellow Creek Botanical Institute
(YCBI) to provide solutions to both the resource
and the economic problems.
Most of the 2,500 plant species native to the
Blue Ridge Bioregion have never been commercially
developed. YCBI has taken the lead as a regional
organization devoted to the research and development
of these species for new foods, fibers, and medicines.
Our mission is to promote sustainable economic
development through the advancement of plants
native to the Southern Appalachian region.
In collaboration with its partners, including
the NFF, YCBI is working to analyze current and
future markets for native plant products. The
establishment of a sustainable production system
is necessary for any native species with potential
in the botanicals industry, including those plants
that already have a large or growing market, such
as American ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh
and bloodroot. The challenge is to provide a quality
source of raw material while protecting the wild
populations from which these plants are typically
gathered. Considering how little is known about
the biology and cultural requirements of most
of these plants, this is no easy task.
We’ve found that the adaptability and sustainability
of natural plant communities hinges upon a diversity
of genes and species. In this region, the interdependence
of species is undeniable, and we are trying to
replicate that through what we call a “polyculture.”
Simply put, polyculture is a multi-crop production
system that is suited to geography and climate.
Polycultural systems have proven to be economically
viable, and are at less cost to environmental
quality than are monocultural production regimes.
Sustainable production also entails avoiding negative
environmental impacts such as erosion of topsoil
and leaching of nutrients into groundwater. Therefore,
any use of equipment for installation, maintenance,
or harvest must be guided by site design and layout
that considers the region’s diverse topography
and abundant precipitation.
With the support of the NFF, YCBI has begun polycultural
production systems research at two sites in western
North Carolina. The first site is in Waynesville,
where the focus species, bloodroot, will be grown
among other species that share its native habitat:
black cohosh, goldenseal, and mayapple.
A second, more long-term trial was begun at the
YCBI research and demonstration site in Graham
County. This study is designed to examine the
effects of forest overstory and shrub cover on
the production of target species, as well as maximize
production output and diversity. Various tree
and shrub species will be planted with various
shade-dependent species to grow fruit, nuts, timber,
and herbs as well as plants used in phytopharmaceutical
production. This site also serves as an educational
model for people interested in polycultural production.
Our other goal, besides our own research, production
and education, is to get private industry involved
in producing and marketing these plants. Their
success, besides being another source of funding
for our research, will help bring economic independence
and environmental health back to the region.
If you or a colleague
would like to request or share information or
resources, please contact Robin A. Suggs at 828-479-2788
or visit our web site at www.yellowcreek.org.
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