Budding herb growers won’t want to miss a UMES Extension workshop Friday, September 30 to explore growing medicinal herbs for income. The in-person workshop led by UMES Extension Specialty Herbs Consultant Henriette den Ouden takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wild Ginger Herbal Center in Bryans Road, Maryland. Lunch is included in a $20 registration fee.
“This event will give you the information you need to make decisions surrounding growing medicinal herbs professionally,” den Ouden said. “It is geared toward those who plan to grow, or are already growing, herbs, in addition to vegetable farmers who are considering diversifying their crops.”
Den Ouden describes the workshop as “an opportunity to focus on skills such as seeding, growing, harvesting and making herbal products for income.” Topics that will be discussed include soil preparation and cover crops; seeding, planting and harvesting; Western and Chinese herbs participants can grow in Maryland; yield and value per 50 feet row; herb drying, value-added products, agritourism, and, more importantly, how to define the value of your products and be profitable. Samples of herbs, products and tools used for growing and processing will be on display.
Den Ouden, who has 17 years of experience growing and processing herbs as owner of Habanera Farm and on UMES Extension’s Research, Extension and Teaching Farm, will be joined by Alan Leslie, an agriculture and food systems educator with the University of Maryland Extension, who will discuss soil quality improvement and cover crops. Molly Meehan-Brown of the Wild Ginger Herb Center will share her experiences getting started and managing the center. The center is a family-run and community-rooted educational and herbal center that happens to be celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“Our Friday class will be followed by the center’s annual Chesapeake Herb Gathering, a two-day family-friendly event featuring educational sessions, plant walks and vendors beginning the following day at noon,” den Ouden said. “There are hotels and campgrounds in the area, so plan on staying and making a weekend trip of it.”
To register for the Friday, September 30 UMES Extension class, click HERE. To register for the Chesapeake Herb Gathering Saturday and Sunday, October 1-2, click HERE.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu , 410-621-3850.
Photos submitted by Henriette den Ouden, specialty herb consultant, UMES Extension, hdenouden@umes.edu .
