Growing Ginger and Turmeric in WNC for Food and Medicine
Ginger and Turmeric are popular tropical food crops, with many culinary and medicinal uses. While most ginger and turmeric is usually imported, these crops can be grown in temperate regions successfully. On March 17th, 2020, Living Web Farms presents a workshop on organic production of ginger and turmeric in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Mills River, NC— John Clark and Karen Hurtubise started out in berry production at their farm in Brasstown North Carolina, but after discovering ginger and turmeric, their farming changed dramatically. “We have been so surprised at how well these tropical plants grow here in Appalachia, right in the field, without the use of a greenhouse,” Hurtubise says. In addition to farming, Hurtubise is the gardener in residence at the John C. Campbell Folk School. “Ginger and Turmeric production in this region is a huge opportunity for people. My mission is to share what we’ve learned and let people run with the possibilities.”