NC Ginseng Association Updates

[Chris Watson]

Hi Everyone,

Happy spring! I am sending this out to everyone to see what the interest level is for continuing to have an active association here in Western NC. The attendance at the monthly meetings last year was extremely low for the last several meetings of the year and we are hoping that there will be more active involvement this spring and summer. Please respond and let us know if you would like to be an active participant in the association this year. 

Some of the current issues Robert and I have discussed the Ginseng Association taking on include:

• asking the Madison County candidates for sheriff to officially comment on their stance against illegal ginseng poaching
• continuing to develop a regional branding for Western NC Ginseng
• developing an collective buying/selling cooperative

Of course we are open to other ideas that would assist ginseng growers in the region. 

If their is sufficient interest and involvement to allow the Association to continue to be active the first meeting would be on April 17th at 2pm at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Center. At that time we would also be looking for volunteers to take on some of the officer and board positions so be thinking about how you would like to help out. 

Please let us know if you can continue to actively support the association.

Thank you and warm regards on this snowy day.

Chris Watson