About the event

Jim Hamilton with Ginseng. Courtesy of Jim Hamilton.

The harvest of wild American ginseng has been an integral part of Appalachian history and culture for over 300 years. As one of the world’s most popular herbal remedies, ginseng is revered in China, where its roots have been consumed for its purported immune-system enhancing and energy-boosting qualities for millenia. While large scale plantations of shade-cultivated ginseng are grown in Wisconsin and Ontario for export to Asia, the cryptic, shade-loving plant grows naturally in the rich mountain forests of western North Carolina. Each fall, locals hit the woods in search of the plant to dig its unique root, which can fetch up to $1,000 per pound. Overharvest and poaching are now threatening this native plant and the traditions that many in the region hold dear. In his presentation, “Roots in Appalachia”, Dr. Jim Hamilton will discuss the significance of ginseng to western North Carolina, its role in local and global markets, and other cultural nuances of ‘seng.

Bio: Jim Hamilton is Watauga County's Director of Cooperative Extension. For the last ten years, he's been huntin', plantin', transplanting, consuming, and teaching workshops about ginseng. He holds a PhD in Forestry from NC State and is an adjunct professor at Appalachian State University. Before settling in the mountains of North Carolina, Jim was a Peace Corps Volunteer, an environmental consultant, an A.M. country music DJ, and a volunteer fireman. While he's written the requisite number of academic articles published in unreadable journals to warrant his credentials, his first fiction novel, an homage to the ginseng trade, was published in late 2019.

PLEASE NOTE: Limited seating available. An 80% refund will be issued if the participant cancels three weeks prior to the event. For cancellations made less than three weeks prior to the event, BRAHM will issue a refund IF the museum is able to fill the vacated spot. 

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS:

This workshop has limited tickets to ensure social distancing. Masks are required.