Spring 2000 Number 63

AGF Ginseng Trainers Workshops. The first ASPI-sponsored ginseng training workshops have been held at our Demonstration Center on Saturday, March 11th. Due to the heavy demand a second was held for the overflow on Saturday, March 18th. A total of fifty-nine trainees attended. Over half of our goal of one hundred trainers for the region during the year 2000 has been reached. Other training sessions are scheduled for 2000 as indicated in the last newsletter (see workshop schedule) with most slots in the first three filling rapidly. An additional region-wide workshop will be held in conjunction with the Catholic Committee of Appalachia (CCA) at their annual meeting at Charleston, WV on September 30. For further details call Todd Garland at (304) 847-7215. Current participants expressed satisfaction with the AGF program through completed evaluation forms and many asked that a follow-up be held on an annual basis. We have scheduled the next annual event for March, 2001, but a location has not yet been determined.

Improvements. The work at the Demonstration Sites never ends as the spring herb and vegetable gardens are becoming activated. Completed rock work lines two of the gardens at this time. A garden tool building has been enclosed. The Nature Trails are open after cleaning the winter debris and a cooperative venture for growing plants for our grounds is being launched with the local Durham’s Greenhouse.

New Publications

Spiritual Growth Through Domestic Gardening by Al Fritsch (49 pages including notes) is being offered free of charge on the ASPI Web Site <www.kih.net/aspi>. This is a short journey through the months with special emphasis on the seasonal benefits for each month. Since the material is copyrighted, any reference should give full attribution to title and author. Plans for publishing soft cover copies and computer disks of the book are being made at this time.

Videotapes. A brochure listing appropriate technology videotapes is now being offered to those wishing to utilize them. If television quality tapes are desired please specify. Note that we are reducing the price from $30 in the current ASPI Publications List to $25 with the same postage and handling fees.

Technical Papers. Kudzu in Appalachia (TP Number 55) by Amanda Allen describes some of the economic benefits from harvesting this exotic species which has escaped into the countryside. Hopefully the economic demand generated will help control the growth of this prolific plant.

Exotic Species in Appalachia (TP Number 56) by Amanda Allen lists ten major exotic species other than kudzu which are escaping into the region (Tree of Heaven, Autumn Olive, Multiflora Rose, etc.) and the need for people to control the spread of these plant pests (ready by late April).

All ASPI Technical Papers are $2.00 each plus $1.00 for postage and handling. These papers are also found on the ASPI Web Site.

Twenty-first Century Research and Computer Capability

GPS. Dan Bond has served as an educational outreach person at ASPI and has spoken to about 15,000 grade schoolers on water and forest issues. He has also been interested in utilizing computers for environmental problems (locating water pollution sources, accessing information on sustainable forest techniques, and locating ideal sites for ginseng and herb growing operations). ASPI has now obtained a computer of sufficient capacity to handle the Geographical Information Software (GIS) which we can use with our Global Positioning Systems (GPS) instrument to pinpoint locations of ideal monitoring sites and locations of environmental interest and in the ongoing Resource Assessment Service work. Dan hopes to offer a service for growers of ginseng and other herbs. Data collected with be kept confidential.

Chemical Analysis. ASPI is talking to expert chemical analysts on ways to develop a laboratory for analysis of the major ginsenosides (active ingredients in the ginseng root). Hopefully this service will also be available in the coming year or so.

Workshops, Talks and Conferences

Children’s Activities: Interpretative hikes, river strolls, nature center interactive displays. Spring activities are targeted to 3rd-6th grade students -- Earthworms and vermiculture (March, 2000); Earth Day all month! (April, 2000); Build solar ovens and cook foods (May-June 2000). Contact Jack Kieffer at 453-3221 or 256-0077.

Compost Toilet Workshops in Rockcastle/Laurel Counties (June 1-3, 2000); and in Harlan County (June 22-24, 2000). Call for details on single day events or on the three-day program. (Or link to Events for more info).

Ginseng Training Workshops: Flat Top, WV, (Aug. 26, 2000); Burnesville, NC, (Sept. 23, 2000); Charleston, WV, (Sept, 30, 2000); and Whitwell, TN, (Oct. 14, 2000). Call Jeannette Matthews at ASPI.

Land Stewardship Conference at Milford, OH (May 9-11). A working paper will be forthcoming after the conference.

Retreats: (Al Fritsch) at Milford, OH (Jan. 14-16, Jan. 28-30, Apr. 7-9); Oshkosh, WI (Mar. 30 to Apr. 2); Melbourne, KY (May 14-17, 2000); Erlanger, KY (Jul. 14-16); and at Barrington, IL (Sept. 15-17).

Talks: (Al Fritsch) Land Stewardship and Religious Communities, and Resource Assessment Service, Legal Resource Center for Religious, Louisville, KY (Mar. 17); Appalachian Ginseng Foundation, Appalachian Studies Conference, Knoxville, TN (March 26); Earth Day Series, Clinton, IA Franciscans (April 15-18).

ASPI River Day: June 3, 2000. Tours, River float, music, games, refreshments, tours. Contact Jerry Waddle at 453-9001.

Solar Tour Day: Oct. 21, 2000. See solar food cookers, food dryers, fans, space heating, water heating units, automobile, greenhouses, and photovoltaic systems.

Thanks(12/14/99 - 3/20/2000) to John & Anne Horstman for a van & to Susan Nachazel, John & Jean Rosenberg, James & Carol Lichtenberg, Rose De Bernardo, Susan Deveraux, Richard & Carol Jackson, John Yago, David & Babette Kern/Bright, Charles & Rachelle Hollander, Jerry Redden, John Stephen Rhodes, Richard & Barbara Blewett, Dava, Inc., Carol Lissi, Trish Pielnik, Geoff Cox, Chris Klug, Keiron O'Connell, Donald & Betty Anne Newton, Marie Koch, David & Ethyl Merrick, Glenda & Marcus Keyes, Charles & Katherine Fritsch, J. Paul O'Brien, Wil & Helene Lepkowski, John F. & Margaret Robbins, Roger & Arleta Hommes, Nancy Stein, Roberta Shaw-Reeves, Charlotte Pyle, Carl & Mary Moore, J.D. Wulfhorst, Marcelline Sookov, Marian Baker, Sarah Heileman, Jill Shade-Fowler, Pat Gailey & Richard Smith, Thomas Campbell, Denise Peterson, Louise Hamel, Andy Ries & Deborah Baird, Jim Graf, Lynn White, Kathleen Mavournin & Bob Richmond, Richard & Rita Middendorf, Ron & Mary Beth Lusby, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Smith, Bernie & Ellen Engelman, Susan Presson, Kris Peterson & Richard Krajeski, Kristy Higgs, Karen Smallwood, Agnes M. Mascott, Brian & Sue Eick, James & Therese Mudd, Claire Nader, David Wheeler & Judith Hallock, Richard & Betty Wilson, Robert & Virginia Johnson, Louise Chawla, Glenn & Dorothy Grimm, George Chang & Lynda Keifer, Kristine Thonnings, Beth Gunn, Frank & Mary Nahser, Woody & Carol Bartlett, Mary & Al Templeton, Richard Peckham & Maureen Nowlan, Starling Childs, Gilbert & Margaret Switala, Pamela Holy, Thomas DeLaura, Joyce Sheehey & Gayle King, Michael Bently, Russ Tucker, Marilyn Lebourveau, Diane Faircloth, Roger Roskin, Sandra Hudson, Thomas & Carol Lamm, Hesperia Bevan, Betsy Bennett, Glenna Altizer, James & Heather Bartos, Chris Coulling, Barbara Blecka, Charlene McAndrews, Harriet Arnold, Stephanie L.G. Barrett, Rick Axtell, Garrett & Betsy Brauer, Timothy Collins & Sharon Price, David & Mary Doherty, Robin Lambert & Robert Gipe, Rustum & Della Roy & Kathleen Mourant, Philip & Terrie Curd, Ken Bossong, Mark Heffernan, Therese Hildebrand & David Kennedy, Kasey Moulton, Karen Armstrong Cummings, Kristin Shrader-Frechette & Family, James Fournier & Karen Zeleznak, Jerry Hardt, Doug & Patricia Macneal, Kurt & Susan Keljo, Nancy Osborne, Barry Horowitz, Roger & Gloria Smith, John P. Rogers, George & Jane Schildge, Dean Hill Rivkin, Edward Lammert, Andrew & Kathleen Weigert, Phyllis Fitzgerald, Veronica Ries, Teresa Maurer & James Morgan, Doug & Laura Fortmeyer, Winnie Hepler, Phillip & June Allen, Brian & Barbara Bansenauer, Mike & Elizabeth Mattox, Kenneth & Cathy Tuggle, John Cleveland & Artie Ann Bates, Donald Ober, Margaret C. Smith, Margaret Stollmeyer, CDP/Sisters of Divine Providence, Eileen Ciezki, Linda Rosenblatt, Ron Okagaki & Sarah Miller, Paul T. Singley, Mary E. Clark, Ron & Nancy Leeseberg, Arthur & Deborah Purcell, Sharon Rust, Douglas & Rose Mary Foncree, Joe Cramer, Ian Rudick, Richard Jentgen, John & Arleen Keehan, Dan Kendrick, James B. Sullivan & Ahni Sallaway, David & Suzanne Cockley, Charles & Joy Perry, James & Hildegard Wachob, Barrington Jesuit Community, Chuck Hines, Candace & Benjamin Kresse, Robert Courboin, Gregory G. Karambellas, Bruce Carter, Steve & Susan Kute Family, Richard & Martha Lammers, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Ministry Fund, Oswald Loidl, Deborah Meissner, R.J. Hoar, S.J., Nancy Acara, Joe Jarvis, Guy Osborne & Angelina Carpenter, Sr. Bernadine Balteinic/Sisters of St. Dominic, Steven Leiner, Ralph Pickerall, Lou Anna Coots, & Franciscan Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office.

Other Happenings

Mary Teresa Hawkins of Mount Sterling, KY, won the first ASPI Environmental Award. Mary Teresa is a senior at Bath County High School and has been accepted in the pre-med program at the University of Kentucky in the fall. Her essay was entitled "Plastic Waste: Are We Doing Enough to Stop It?"

ASPI is a member of the KICK-66 coalition which is trying to bring some sanity to the madness of building a billion dollar portion of some future I-66 through pristine Laurel and Pulaski Counties. In our testimony we state that the highway is simply not needed and will do immense harm to the environment if built in the corridors proposed.

Wish List

ASPI seeks additional nature, agriculture, forestry, gardening, herbal, general science, appropriate technology books and periodicals as well as display and educational materials for the Nature Center.

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