Appalachia--Science in the Public Interest

Winter 1998 Number 54

DEMONSTRATION CENTERS

Garden Yields We are now in the process of going through seed catalogs and planning for next year's garden. In fact this is a great January exercise for a temperate climate gardener. In making plans, we first look over what went well and what went wrong in the season just ending. In fact, it isn't really completely ending, for our greenhouse is producing a steady supply of collards and two outdoor covered raised beds, as of December, are still yielding a few pounds of Swiss Chard.
The first year of the 15 raised beds at Mount Vernon along with a 16th in front of the solar greenhouse was very productive. We planted 31 types of vegetables and had yields of 1340 pounds of produce: tomatoes 675 lbs (mostly from our own seeds), kohlrabi 105 (from our own seed and plants), Swiss chard 63, cabbage heads and leaves 60, mustard 60, beet and beet greens 49, Jerusalem artichokes 47, broccoli 35, peas 34, onions 33, carrots 26, corn 25, pole beans 24, radishes 20, green peppers 18, cucumbers 12, hot peppers 8, spinach 6, bush beans 6, pumpkins 6, lettuce 6, collards 5, endive 5, peanuts 5, celery 3, and less than one pound of kale, garlic, parsley, fennel, apple mint, and lamb's quarters. The beds were interplanted with a variety of marigolds to ward off pests. During the very rainy and unseasonably cool spring these beds prospered more than regular garden beds. The total cost of materials and seeds was $200 and the total garden work was amortised to 150 hours per year.

Physical Facility Improvements This year we added on about $34,000 of additions in the form of needed repair, rock-work, library annex, and other improvements and Nature Center furnishings. This was the greatest improvement year in over two decades. Improvements included: ramps and retaining walls at the Nature Center, Solar House and the Cordwood Building; a new roof on the Solar House and Cordwood Building, a library annex to the Mt. Vernon Office, tree cuttings to enhance solar gain, an 8,000 gallon cistern at Mount Vernon, wildscape and raised beds at Mount Vernon, trail additions, a new solar water heating system, and a grounds crew office under the Nature Center. To this was added a retaining wall at the Sand Hill Community Land Trust and barriers to keep off-road vehicles from the nature trail system. Cistern An 7,500-gallon cistern has been created from 4 inch concrete blocks according to specifications in TP 3 - Cisterns. The roof was reinforced with rebar and poured with three inches of concrete. A 2' by 2' foot block for entry was attached to a portion of the flat roof which is also to be used a mounting platform for solar photovoltaic panels. The cistern is 8 ft tall and drains about half the office roof space (1000 square feet). It is insulated on the outer side with one inch Styrofoam which is covered with cement.

Appalachian Sustainable Forest Center
Educational Outreach Project A major project success during the past two years has been the environmental educational outreach program that was started by Dan Bond and Jerry Waddle in 1994. Even though the project is moving to becoming self-supporting, we still have some funds from the U.S. EPA grant funded through the Kentucky Waterways Alliance. Part of that money is designated to setting up a project where materials that are used either in our two current slide shows or the additional and supplemental materials will be made available to teachers. After gathering written and oral comments and discussions with grade and high school teachers in Eastern Kentucky we are now in the process of inserting materials on our new Home Page. If you have materials that you have found useful in Appalachian environmental studies, don't fail to send then to Dan Bond here at ASPI.
New Legislation ASPI seeks to educate the public on the need for legislation to protect our Appalachian natural resources. Any state forestry legislation should have the following components: the regulations should apply to all timber harvesting operations; there should not be exceptions and loopholes for energy and utility operations; timber harvest should have a permitting process, advance notification and prior approval; the legislation should not weaken existing water and other environmental laws.
This January the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act will be considered. How many of these four key points are included? As of this writing none.
Off-road Vehicles Agencies such as the Daniel Boone National Forest are taking steps to curtail ORVs on public lands (and we sent in a petition in favor of the strictest option). Figures on human accidents with ORVs are shocking with ten deaths this year in our part of Kentucky. National Public Radio reports that sales of $80,000 military type jeeps, Humbees, are skyrocketing and they are unfortunately ideal for climbing extremely steep slopes and crossing streams. It reported that they could damage roadways. What impact could this have on natural areas?

Solar Cooking Outreach in Peru
During October through part of December Mark Schimmoeller, Joshua Bills and Andy McDonald returned to Latin America and, for Mark and Andy, a return to Peru. As of November 20, they worked with organizations in three regions of southern Peru, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa. In the Cusco region, solar cooking workshops were held at an agricultural school and a home for abandoned boys. As Josh puts it, "It was nice building cookers with young adults and children. We had to push ourselves to keep up with their enthusiasm and, when steaming hot food came out of the solar cookers that they built, you could see their wonder and joy in every bite." Mark, Andy and Josh visited Tequile Island in Lake Titicaca where solar cooking is becoming almost commonplace through the volunteer efforts of Tara Miller of Colorado. While there, they introduced the panel-type solar cooker, which was new to the islanders. In Arequipa, they were amazed to see the program's progress which they started three years ago. Then it was design work, now production work. Upon arriving in November there were orders for 10 cookers to be built, and a shop with necessary supplies and construction tools.

Resource Assessment Service
We are now working ourselves out of a national job so we can concentrate back on Appalachian regional issues. Efforts are being made to set up regional RAS activities like the one now operating in Knoxville (eight local assessments last year). Out West, regional efforts have started through a grant from the Santa Barbara Province of Franciscans. Anne and Terry Symens-Bucher are key players in developing this western regional office. In December, Al Fritsch went and conducted five on-site data collections with the California team. Al will perform three assessments and in the coming months will review two, performed by the regional team. In essence, this will prove to be a better approach than some high cost seminar for a period of time, though such programs are beneficial to those already managing assessed institutions.

ASPI Publications

Earth Healing We have now conducted so many "Earth Healing Shows" (about 70) that duplication of the shows is becoming a major problem. We cannot keep all shows on stock. Instead, we welcome people to tape the shows and even duplicate these and distribute to those who one thinks may profit from them. In other words we abandon any proprietary right provided the show is left intact and that the proper attributions are given for any segment used. We are convinced that dollar-for-dollar this has been the best use of ASPI money. Many in the ten-county viewing area have commented favorably to the shows and we think it has made a profound change in attitudes by Appalachians in the Channel Nine cable area. Our hope is to extend this service to other stations in the years to come. Recent shows include Ernie Muhly (MD) "Making Mobile Homes more Safe," Lowell Dodge (DC) "Trees for the Planet," and Judy Peterson "Kentucky Waterways Alliance."

New Technical Papers The two most recently completed technical papers are now available to the public -- T.P. 42 Guide to Use of Non-Timber Products - (see essay)
T.P. 43 Small Town Appropriate Technology Demonstration Project - Describes in detail the development of the Mount Vernon demonstration center over the past 50 months. Papers are available from ASPI Publications: $2.00 each plus $1.00 P&H.

THANKS (from Sept.9 to Nov. 30, 1997) to... Louise Chawala, Clark Buchner (periodicals), Mary E. Fritsch, John Harmeyer, Sandy & David McFarland, Paul & Elizabeth Oberst, Danny McKinney, Lois Shank, Roger Roskin, Ken Bryson, Holly Holyk, Hazel Robinson, Mary Templeton, LeVerne Anthony Warner, Fred Weckenmann, Martin Ogle, Barbara Wetula, Karen Phillips, Judson Cramer, Jane Ander, Louis Venuto, Joy Crosby, Adele Vinsel, Glenn Ihrig, Darwin & Celeste Jirles, Donna Hanley, Barbara Holt, Maggie Brandt, Anna Suter, Albert Ruschman, Fred Schwerer, David Cockley, Mary Lu Kuhl, Lois Smith, Anna Auteri, Genevieve Krueger, John Schultz, Evelyn Kressler, Carrie Carter, Fr.Henry Atkins, Allene Long, Frank Shaw, Becky Czarnik, Katherine Christensen, John Cleveland, Andy McMahon, Lyle Starr, Pat Bing, Lilian Lawrence, Mary Grisco, Fr. Walt Bado, Jane Donaldson, Betty Graham, Mary Morgan, David & Louise Petering, Laurie Webb, Ruth Sabiers, Mimi Stout Leonard, Lee Amundsen, Sarah L. Crain Heilemann, David & Nan Fry, Sue Eick, Ed Perraut, Michael Fortin, Michele Handelman, Beth Grendahl, John Florian, Jessie Lang, Joe Sommerfeld, Betty Daugherty, Daniela Handelman, Colleen T. Fogarty, Mary Eldredge, Carolyn MacNeel, Maura Ubinger, William Parke, Barbara Clark, Linda & Phillip Pfeiffer, Jim & Candace Storm, Joe & Sharon Gorman Spaeder, Kit & Ev. Pilgrim, Joyce Jeffrey, Dave Hinchen, Marilla Barghusen, Robert Blinn, Suzanne Csejtey, Ann Messer, Marjory & Bertram Donn, Janet Alexander, Mary Montgomery, David & Betty Lollis, Paul Hallenbach, Al Keiser, Marilyn Cleveland, Diane Faircloth, Charlotte Pyle, Jack Vetter, Glenna Altizer, Susanne Fountain, Peace Place, Brian Malcom, Melissa Morgan, Sarah L. Moore, Pauline Reeser, Nancy Jackson, Lynn Chong, Casey Sterr, Jackie Schmid, Fowler Camp & Retreat Ctr., Steele Hinton, Sr. Catherine Reichenberg, LaDene King, Wilbert & Helene Lepkowski, Karl D. Lehman & Ondina Gonzalez, Sr. Leanne Herda, George Chang & Lynda Kieffer, Shelley Roberts, Beth Ann Dotson, Richard & Dorothy Garascia, Wendell & Virginia Kingsolver, Margaret Gorey, Glenn & Joan Gallenstein, Greg Schuler, Steve Swanback, Bill Deutsch, Leo Babeu, Alan & Prisca Gamble, Keiron & Paula O'Connell, Beth Gunn, Tom Bruns, Myrtle Hendrickson, Gary D. Whitehead, Robert Ashmore, Ed & Nancy Schumacher, Phil & June Allen, Margaret Smith, Don & Rosemary Thielke, Charles & Clara Joy Perry, John Carmichael, Henrietta Gabel, Bill & Val Wolff, Marguerite Wendell, John & Jane Spurlock, Andrew & Elizabeth Elmlinger,Jr., Elaine Potts, Thomas J. DeLaura, Anne Woodard, Mary Chapman & Richard Katterman, Irving & Grace Borowitz, Clare Fister, Nancy Stein, Chris & Della Oberst, Greg Reineke, Rick Axtell, Robert & Mary Davis, Marianne Maloney, Lena F. Cramer, Burton Barnes, Carl Callenbach, Carl Todd, Joan Davison, Pat & Larry Darcey, Charles & Elizabeth Crail, Maynard Tetreault & Ed Lammert, Andy & Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Pate & Barbara Warner, William Andrews, Phyllis Robinson, Ruth Fort & Arthur Rowse, Arnold & Kathleen Simonse, Betty Johnson, Georgia G. Herring, Heidi Gross, Frank M. Oppenheim, S.J., R.C. Austin & Anne Leibig, Maria S. Powers, Dan & Laura Chapman, Andy Ries & Deb Baird, Sr. Elaine Betoncourt, Sister of Charity of Nazareth, Eugene Kieffer, Daniel Shine, Michael & Patricia Hazard, Mary K. Wicksten, David & Ethyl Merrick, David Wheeler & Judith Hallock, Richard & Elizabeth Perkins, Charles & Margaret Hollowell, Leadership Team of Mount St. Joseph, Jim & Madeline O'Brien, John Rogers, Judith Gale & Jerry McMahon, Mrs.Hildegard E. Wachob, James Wilson, Leona G. Drennen, Rev.Leo Haigerty, William & Julia McBee, Tom & Carol French Corbett, Leon & Phyllis Dickinson, Ed & Dorothy Singer, CSPI, Susan & Brian Bobka, John Jones, Dorothy & Glenn Grimm, Mrs.Fridoline B. Ryan, Clare McBrien, John & Vicki Wenz, Russ Tucker, Gerald & Judith Arnold, Wayne & Shirley Davis, Emil & Wendy Posavac, Steele & Ava Hinton, Elizabeth Olson, James Zeller, Doris Magan, Esther M. Sutton, Wilbur & Joan Houk, Chad & Carol Jackson, Ted & Betty Linden, Frank & Mary Fritsch, Linda & Tom Green, Alan Rees & Jude Jardine, Carolyn & Richter Moore,Jr., Linda Ewald, Colin Raitiere, T.H. Watkins, Robert & Mary Kelly, Winifred Helper, Marjorie Williams, John & Jade Myers Hargrave, Robert & Angela Cox, John & Joan Stoeckinger, R.K. & Mary Ann McDonald, John & Eileen Yago,Jr., William & Julie Gregg, John Patterson, Ky. Heartwood, Yvonne Seperich, Stewart Peebles, Marion Mitchell, Jane Spear, Jack & Maggie Jezreel, Charles & Katherine Fritsch, Charles & Carol Webb, Lynn Moody, UK Students, Christina Bolgiano, Kim Reynolds, Brita & Alan Geronilla, Thomas Burdenell, Bob Hoover, Chuck Hines, Tom & Rebecca Conry, Sr. Anita Brelage, Dixie Sefchek, John & Judith Hawes,Jr., Jenny Holmes, James & Mary Payne, Svetlana & Kurt Waldhuetter, Paul Buterbaugh, Hilda M. Graves & Jean Newhouse, Veronica J. Ries, Sharon Fradenburgh & Joseph Taylor, Ben Atkins, Kristy Higgs, Belden & Louise Paulson, Paul & Monique Winther, Thomas Walton, Charles & Catharine Martin, Donald Erceg, Than Hitt, Catherine M. Cameron, Roger Frisch, David A. Sheley, Bill & Doris Bailey Spencer, Barry Howard, Ronald & Sidney Baker, Sr. Barbara Jean Franklin,ASC/Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Colin M. Donohue, Robert & Anna Harris, Frank Fischer,Jr., Gregory & Nancy Signer, Sylvie Romanowski, Joe & Geraldine Scardo, Franciscan JPIC Office, Peg Taylor, Herbert & Karen Packard, Steven Harmeyer, Collen F. Gartland, Phyllis Machta, Joan Viergatz, Barbara O'Donnell, Lesley Block, Richard & Betty Wilson, Sr. Fran Bartos, Marie Cooper, Sr. Jane Belanger, Eugene & Sonya Hirschberg, Daniel & Teresa Casselman, Margaret O'Dwyer, Steve & Judy Peterson, Stuart Butler, Michael & Sally Suchyna, Francis & Carol Schmidt, Gerry Munley, Ihor & Cahy Hlohowskj, Eric Matchette, Sam Spofforth, Karen Smallwood, Geoff Cox, Tom Vogelsang, Richard & Barbara Blewett.

THE NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS CONTROVERSY
Al Fritsch, SJ

Pick a Mess; Don't Make a Mess My grandma's adage is worth repeating to the many do-gooders in our region who have generated considerable recent discussion at meetings and over the Internet by seeking to utilize non-timber forest products (NTFPs). She held that one only needs to gather enough for a spring greens meal or tonic but little more -- unless it is blackberries or firewood for a neighbor. The rule holds fairly well today, even though we'd applaud commercial goat herds in a kudzu or ivy patch.

Advantages of NTFP Proponents argue that NTFP promotion diverts attention from unsustainable harvesting of timber, chips and pulpwood. Thus potential dangers to threatened species through over-harvesting are compensated by ultimate saving forestlands for future generations and a tourist industry. Others argue that knowing more about NTFPs increases appreciation of a biodiverse forest treasure and the ability to defend fragile forestlands. They cite forest scenic views, climate moderation potential, retention of soil, reduction of flooding, and enhancement of water table. They speak of the use of forested land for recreational purposes (sightseeing, hiking, birdwatching, etc.). NTFPs such as wild edibles (mushrooms, fruits and nuts), decorative products (wreaths), and medicinal products (ginseng, yellow root) and wildflower seeds offer employment opportunities for those threatened by tobacco crop revenue loss. Lastly, specific NTFPs may enhance the value of forestlands.
Dangers At the other end of the development spectrum some of us are becoming more convinced that a smorgasbord approach of tantalizing non-suspecting Appalachians with economic plums is fraught with environmental dangers and an excellent way (given the greedy climate of ginseng poaching in the region) to turn even relatively abundant wild plants into threatened and endangered species virtually overnight. What has happened in the past few years to relatively abundant wild ginseng in many states could happen elsewhere, if encouragement is given to potential gatherers in financially starved communities. A few years back an expert Cherokee and Appalachian naturalist, Hawk Little John, denied our request to do a documentary on gathering wild herbs because of the likelihood that the information would fall into the wrong hands, namely, budding poachers. We understand now that we can't discount the danger of poaching as virtually wild ginseng growers will testify.
Fundable An added ingredient in the caldron of advantages and disadvantages is that mere inventorying and general information gathering on a wide variety of NTFPs takes little scientific effort. Furthermore, well worded proposals appeal to funders knowing little about Appalachia except stereotypical ignorant folk awaiting enlightenment by grantees with access to scattered information. This is patronizing at best and an invitation to environmental degradation at worst -- and such projects are being conceived. On the other hand taking one product and determining its cultivation conditions over time is hard work, takes precise observational skills, is fraught with possible negative results and is virtually non-fundable.
Striving for an NTFP Ethic A current phenomenon is for cash-starved Appalachian woodland owners (whether resident or distant landholders) to sell their birthright for the porridge of fly-by-night chip mill operators. Alternative folks who encourage these folks to sell NTFPs for gain are only a slightly better cut. A balanced ecological/economic position on NTFP includes improving the quality of life of residents (that includes good jobs) and enhancing the health of the threatened forests at the same time. We oppose a scatter-gun approach to NTFP though some would argue that it would allow supplemental incomes from a wide variety of economic sources in totally "free" or uncontrolled market conditions. However, American society rewards those with the stickier fingers. The argument that economic development effectiveness is so small that the dangerous types will not find the information (only good guys read what is written on the subject) underestimates the power of economic policy debate.
Public Interest Research Only well researched cultivated NTFPs should be encouraged. Considering the few products that ASPI gives endorsement, this will take scientific and silvicultural research. Still such work makes ecological sense and the accumulated wisdom of years of research is needed. Once the green light is given, these approved NTFPs could be sold using a marketing card that indicates that the product was grown on one's own landholding. This safeguards the cultivated property through a supervised marketing system and also combats the very dangerous practices of poaching and black-marketeering.

Product Selection Criteria: It is obvious that the NTFP candidate should be neutral at best and not harmful to users or others, thus the reason for promoting tobacco substitutes. If there is economic gain then cultivate in virtually wild conditions such as discussed in Ginseng in Appalachia (1996). The NTFP needs to be harvested in a sustainable manner. The cultivated NTFP should not be invasive nor contaminate the existing wild stock, the latter being safeguarded by planting in areas where the wild stock is absent. Finally, focus attention on NTFPs that offer good return after an initial investment. Ginseng's Asian markets alone are expected to reach 12 billion dollars.

Market Controls Those of us closely associated with burley tobacco growing know about this highly successful sixty-year-old loan program allowing growers to bring products to controlled markets. When a crop does not sell to the graded price level, it is purchased by the cooperative through loan money supplied by the Commodity Credit Corporation, a lending arm of the USDA. This pooled tobacco is later sold when the price improves. Granted this works well for a commodity like tobacco that actually improves with shelf-life. That is hardly the case of most NTFPs, but there exists an added difference that some commodities like ginseng have a vastly larger potential market than is currently being met. Thus the market controls would not be on amounts of production, only marketing procedures. The Burley Growers Cooperative is a market model awaiting replication in the NTFP arena -- and the state of Maine is doing exactly this with ginseng marketing.

Livingston:

This June will be long remembered for the dedication of the M.E. Fritsch Nature Center and the Michael Francis Zalla Nature Trail. The four-part event occurred during one of our most rainy spring spells on record. Yet despite the weather it was the largest turnout we have ever had at ASPI. We don't know what we would have done had it been sunny. A number of potential participants canceled when they heard predictions for flash floods. The Nature Center, while incomplete, does have a finished wheelchair access rock ramp, furnishings by Mark Spencer, the Gene Wilhelm bird collection on exhibit, a 330 year old hickory disk polished and detailed by Bonnie Chinn, and a substantial display of materials, maps and posters. The Zalla Nature Trail is marked and cleared, the first of three components of our emerging trail network. Hikers regard it as very beautiful.

Mount Vernon:

Amid the wettest and coolest spring in our living memory we still had a bumper crop of vegetables on our 16 raised beds -- formerly a blacktop parking lot. We had fifty pounds of broccoli, fifteen bushels of mustard, loads of cabbage, radishes, onions, beet greens, Swiss chard, lettuce, endive, kale, kohlrabi, spinach, and peas and more peas. Peanuts, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, peppers, celery, and herbs are on the way. Neighbors want to know how to build their own greenhouses and raised vegetable beds. We are planning a study on the value of such small town gardening -- for the individual, the community, and the world as a whole.

ASPI Publications

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