Purdue News

July 17, 1998 Twilight tour highlights medicinal herbs WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- It's no secret that interest in medicinal herbs has been on the rise. But many people are left wondering where to turn for up-to-date information on growing these high-demand commodities. According to Jim Simon, a Purdue University horticulture specialist, the Specialty Crops Twilight Meeting at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center could be just the resource they are looking for. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. July 28 in Butlerville, Ind., approximately 20 miles east of Seymour on Highway 50. It is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Sponsored by the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, the twilight meeting will allow participants the opportunity to tour botanical fields of herbs, medicinals and cut flowers. The event should be of interest to a variety of individuals, said Roy Ballard, agriculture and natural resources Extension Educator in Floyd County. Possible audiences include farmers looking for alternative enterprises, home gardeners looking for new and interesting plants to add to their collection, or people interested in information on producing, harvesting and marketing medicinal herbs. "There are many products today on grocery store and health store shelves that use these natural, medicinal herb products," Simon said. "People use them for prevention of diseases, to help cure some diseases and to increase their overall health and vigor. We'll be talking about these specialty and medicinal plants in informal presentations and walking tours. We'll also talk about how they are grown, their commercial prospects, common problems, and how these plants are commonly used." Ballard said tour participants will see a variety of plants such as goldenseal, black cohosh plantations and echinacea. They also will see plantings of feverfew, which has been used to help migraine sufferers, and St. John's Wort, which has been used as a substitute for Prozac. Ginseng also will be seen in both oak forest and shadehouse plantings. Other medicinal and herb plantings on review include Ginkgo bilboa, senna, valerian, catnip, vervein, lavender and sage. The tours will include small field studies to show what various plants look like as well as some field production studies on topics such as mulching and weed control. Discussions will include information regarding proper harvest and post-harvest care of botanicals to ensure they meet quality standards of commercial buyers. Botanical buyers must observe stringent quality control at all levels of their operation, starting with crop quality before it even leaves the farm, Ballard said. This makes strong buyer-grower communication essential. Buyers are invited to attend the program to meet with potential growers. In addition to botanicals, a large planting of cut flower varieties will be on display, including more than 20 varieties of zinnias and more than 40 other species with potential as cut flowers suitable for home use or direct market sales. Simon also will explain production techniques and market potential related to plant materials. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with specific questions regarding the trials or their home plantings. They also are welcome to bring samples of plant pest problems they are experiencing. Lists of potential botanical buyers, cultural information on specific crops and a list of herb seed and nursery stock suppliers also will be available. For additional information, contact Ballard at (812) 948-5470, or by e-mail at roy_ballard@aes.purdue.edu; or Simon at (765) 494-1328, or e-mail at simon@hort.purdue.edu Sources: Roy Ballard, (812) 948-5470; e-mail, roy_ballard@aes.purdue.edu Jim Simon, (765) 494-1328; e-mail, simon@hort.purdue.edu Writer: Jane Houin, (765) 494-8402; e-mail, news_students@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page