Medicinal Herb Grower Education Workshop: Harvesting, Washing, Drying, & Packaging
December 14, 2013
9 am to 4 pm
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center
455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
In collaboration with the buyers from Gaia Herbs, Red Moon Herbs, and Strategic Sourcing, we are hosting a workshop to address a problem that we see many herb farmers face: proper post-harvest handling (washing, drying, cutting/sifting, packaging, and labeling). Many sales are lost because well-grown medicinal herbs are not properly washed, dried, or packaged. This workshop will be led by three local medicinal herb buyers and Jeanine Davis and her staff at NC State University who have been conducting research on growing medicinal herbs and educating herb growers for over 25 years.
The agenda is flexible and intended to encourage as much discussion as possible. Bring all your questions, such as: Why did your herbs get moldy after drying? Why did a buyer reject the roots you tried to sell? Why are you spending half a day washing the harvest of one herb? We will also discuss GAPs, cGMPs, and how FSMA may affect your medicinal herb business. (If you don’t know what those acronyms stand for, you really need to be there!) Please bring samples and pictures to share, stories of success, and what challenges you face.
Pre-registration is $20 which includes lunch (plus a $2.09 Eventbrite fee). Registration at the door is $30 and lunch is not guaranteed. The event will be held at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC. There are limited spaces available so please register early at our Eventbrite page.
If you are interested in sponsoring this event or having an exhibit table, please contact Alison Dressler at alison_dressler@ncsu.edu or call828-684-3562 x150.
Agenda
9:00 Registration and coffee
9:30 Welcome and state goals for the day
10:00 Harvesting and Washing
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Drying and Packaging
3:00 Discussion and sharing of experiences and challenges
Visit medicinal herb-grower education for more information
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
