Bitter melon is used as a medicinal crop and in fresh market vegetables.
How do I maximize yield from Tulsi?
This is something many growers have asked as we started this project. From our grower surveys, we noticed two patterns. 1. Each farm used a different number of harvests each season (some farms harvest 1 single time, others up to 4 times in one season). 2. Harvest method was also different across farms–hand harvest and…
Spring Project Update
This season, we are trialing a variety of medicinal herbs in a few different locations. At the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, we will be completing replicated trials with two promising Ayurvedic herbs for the PNW. In these trials, we will be assessing how organic fertility options affect ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) yield and quality,…
Our medicinal herb production publication is live
Our OSU extension publication Medicinal Herb Production in the Pacific Northwest: Opportunities and Obstacles in a Growing Market is now available for free online. This publication summarizes what we learned during our symposium and from other interviews and farm visits. We evaluate promising crops and areas of research for developing medicinal herb production in our…
How did this project start?
This project started as a collaboration between medicinal herb practitioners and researchers in Oregon who were fielding questions from the community on how to access locally produced medicinal herb ingredients. We quickly realized the need to assess the demand for domestically produced herbs and provide targeted research on crop production practices to support local farms…
Candidate Crop Selection
There are many factors that go into selecting appropriate crops for further research. Crops need to be well-suited for the growing region’s weather and soil conditions. Some crops are also eliminated because they are considered invasive and likely to become a noxious weed in future years if introduced to that area. Next come market concerns…
Why medicinal herbs?
Developing medicinal herbs as crops in the PNW is important for several reasons. Having additional species to grow allows farmers to diversify their crop rotations to avoid problems such as plant disease, pests, and excessive tilling. Some medicinal herbs are appealing crops because of their high per-acre market value. These plants also create a new…
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PNW Medicinal Herb Initiative 