2004 Annual Report for CS02-007
Pioneering the Way to the Future
Summary
Our project was to compare the root growth of the Purple Cone Flowers (Echinacea) to demonstrate that planting and harvest time invested in this herb will be approximately 2 years. Echinacea is truly a native of the United States. Echinacea does not grow wild anywhere in the world except the United States. Echinacea can easily be found growing wild around Okemah, Oklahoma, but this project has made it a welcome ornamental in many gardens and is becoming a cultivated herb on several farms.
Objectives/Performance Targets
(#1) The Okfuskee County OSU Extension Center held an Herb Growing Clinic, Tuesday, December 17, 2002. Topics included: Growing and Management of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs, and Use of Culinary Herbs. This program was designed to assist individuals to learn how to produce and market herbs for the Okemah Herb Festival. Then on Saturday, April 26, 2003, the Okfuskee County OSU Extension Center staff held demonstrations and presentations during the Okemah Pioneer Day Festival. Topics included: Identifying Echinacea; Echinacea Production and Cultivation; Drying Techniques and Various Usage (Culinary and Medical). A large percentage of the crowd attended the demonstrations and presentation.
(#2) Brochures were developed for community education and were first presented at the Okemah Chamber of Commerce dinner, March 29, 2004. These brochures will be used to educate students enrolled in the Okfuskgee County 4-H and FFA as well as being passed out to interested farmers and gardeners in the Okemah area. Along with the brochures, packets of seeds and potting containers were distributed to individuals in attendance at the Chamber dinner.
(#3) We planted 100-3" plants in April, 2003. Flowering heads were harvested and dried for seeds resulting in seeds being distributed to individuals, public school science projects, flower gardens for native american schools and hospitals, and 4-H and FFA clubs.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Our project has resulted in Echinacea being named as the official flower for the City of Okemah. Hundreds of packets of seeds have been distributed to numerous groups, agencies and individuals. Brochures were developed and are being used. An Herb Festival is now an integral part of the annual Pioneer Day Celebration.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
The impact of this project has been different and greater than expected. Although we were not able to fulfill our expectations with Boley Prison, we have taken this project in a new and more exciting direction. Individuals from every walk of life have participated in this endeavor. We have shown that anyone from children to disabled adults can raise this herb and be successful. Echinecera is becoming popular as ornamentals in flower beds,(including Okemah City Park), and is being introduced as organic produce on area farms. A processing business is working on opening in our area. This will provide a market for harvested crops for area growers. The only aspect that we have not completed is the continuing education about Echinecea. For this we will need a few more pieces of equipment to enhance the presentations we are making at schools and public meetings.