Appalachia’s forest are home to a stunning array of medicinal plants. A movement called forest farming is emerging to grow these plants in private forestland to decrease strains on plant populations and strengthen the market for the region’s botanicals.
Advocates for sustainably grown ginseng hope a new certification helps to curb over-harvesting and poaching of this valuable medicinal plant.
Wood thrushes — and their appetite for bright-red ginseng berries — are helping the plant spread its range further north.
