Project Overview
FNE02-440
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2002: $6,879.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2003
Region: Northeast
State: West Virginia
Project Leader:
Scott Snyder
WV Herb Assoc.
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Agronomic: barley, corn, soybeans, grass (misc. perennial), hay
- Additional Plants: herbs
Practices
- Animal Production: feed/forage
- Crop Production: conservation tillage
- Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, networking, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research
- Farm Business Management: new enterprise development
- Pest Management: mulches - killed, weed ecology
- Production Systems: holistic management
- Soil Management: organic matter, soil analysis, soil quality/health
- Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, sustainability measures
Proposal summary:
Imported herbs have lowered retail herb prices, and many of these imported herbs have also been treated with fumigants and fungicides. The farmer will investigate wholesale markets for organic domestic herbs, particularly herbs not commonly grown but which have medicinal value and are candidates for viability in West Virginia. Seven other farmers will collaborate in the propagation and cultivation, and they will experiment with biocultural practices to control fungal pests and assure plant vitality. They will publish their results and develop a growers’ manual for other farmers to use.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.