Yellow Creek Botanical Institute

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Yellow trillium.

Our Mission

The Yellow Creek Botanical Institute is a non-profit organization that is working on the advancement of plants native to the southern Appalachians as new crops while fostering sustainable economic development in the region.

Uniquely located in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, the Institute has the advantages of a region rich in botanical diversity. The southern Appalachian region has a long history of man’s dependence on native plants for food, shelter, medicines and as a source of income. With over 2,300 species of vascular plants, this part of the Blue Ridge province is perhaps the most botanically diverse bioregion outside of the tropical rainforests. The area’s varied topography make an ideal setting to observe plants otherwise limited to other regions in North America. This rich botanical diversity and varied climate combine to maximize the Institute’s research and development capabilities.

International researchers examining the biodiversity of the area.

The development of native plants into new agricultural crops highlights the Institute’s regional initiative. Many traditional crops such as tobacco, corn, and apples are facing an uncertain economic future in the region. New market demands for specialty foods and phytomedicines present new opportunities for farmers. By establishing a demonstration farm, the Institute will take the lead in the research and development of native plants for these new markets.

Farmers market by Dr. Jeanine Davis.

 Other than for the production of timber, few of these native plant species have been developed as sustainably managed products in the region. In fact, demand for certain species such as goldenseal and ginseng in the botanical medicines industry both here and abroad has led to their extirpation from many areas in which they previously occurred.

The botanical medicine industry continues to expand at a phenomenal rate. At present, estimates track this growth at 18% to 20% annually in a market valued at close to 4 billion dollars in the United States alone. In 1997 the release of information on the medicinal value of St. John’s Wort led to a 2,800% increase in sales so far this year. Fortunately, St. John’s Wort is cultivated both here and abroad and is considered a weed pest in parts of the United States. This is not the case however with many plants native to the southern Appalachians. Many species of medicinal interest are harvested from the wild and as previously stated, have succumbed to the pressures of over harvesting. The destruction of local ecotypes of plant species results in the genetic deterioration of those species. The resulting loss of these ecotypes could signal future challenges in plant breeding and the development of new phytomedicines.

Colleagues from Germany visiting our  farm.

The Yellow Creek Botanical Institute is presently working collaboratively with the United States Forest Service to establish a germplasm reserve of some of these “at risk” species. This reserve will function as a source of regionally appropriate ecotypes for the commercial production of these medicinal plants. Portions of this reserve will be represented in a future botanical garden showcasing the region’s rich botanical diversity.

In addition to the preservation of local ecotypes, the Institute is working concurrently to establish both propagation and cultivation protocols for these species. These protocols will then be incorporated into production systems for commercial agriculture. The development of sustainable production systems is an integral part of the Institute’s overall mission. By developing these systems, farmers will be able to break their dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This factor alone will increase the profitability of small farms in a region that is losing farms at a rapid pace. Profitability, improved water quality and farm biodiversity are the parameters by which the success of these systems will be measured.

The analysis of market trends as well as the development of new markets is crucial to the success of any agribusiness. Institute staff will conduct pertinent market research as new crops are being developed. In addition, marketing assistance will be provided to regional farms on a cooperative basis.

Ginseng.  This particular plant is unusually large.

We, at the Institute, realize that without implementation, research and development are meaningless. Education of the region’s farm community is the best way to make sure that our goals of sustainable production are met. Through workshops, conferences and other forms of educational outreach, farmers will be kept aware of the concepts developed at the Institute. Our demonstration farm will provide many opportunities for farmers to observe our production techniques firsthand.

Historically, plants have been used throughout the southern Appalachians in many ways. Native Americans, as well as early settlers derived food, fiber, medicine, and shelter from plants. The ethnobotanical study of these uses will be important to furthering the Institute’s mission. In observing traditional uses of plants one may gain a broader perspective of their future uses as well. By compiling an ethnobotanical database the Institute will help preserve the region’s botanical heritage.

Ramps.  This wildcrafted species play a strong role in the traditions of western North Carolina.
During harvest season, volunteer fire departments throughout the region conduct fund raising events that involve music, beans, cornbread and ramps.  In her magazine"Living", Martha Stewart highlighted ramps as a specialty of New York chefs!

Providing sustainable economic opportunities in an economically distressed area is the Institute’s primary challenge. The development of sustainable agricultural communities and market technologies are positive pieces of the economic puzzle. These factors alone, however, will not address all of the regions economic needs. Other sustainable activities such as ecotourism, agricultural processing, and the development of cottage industries will be important in developing an economic strategy.

By promoting the agricultural use of native plants while fostering sustainable economic development, the Yellow Creek Botanical Institute will work to improve the lives of people in southern Appalachia. We believe that when people are empowered to take control of their economic destiny, their quality of life improves. This is measured by an increase in personal incomes, an improvement in environmental quality and a clearer vision of the future.
 
 

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