Microsoft word - rba proclamation - ginseng week.doc

REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
HENDERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MEETING DATE:
December 3, 2012

SUBJECT:
Proclamation – American Ginseng Week in Henderson County
December 2nd through December 8th

PRESENTER:
Jerry Page – NC Natural Products Association
ATTACHMENTS: YES
1. Proclamation 2. Request from NC Natural Products Association SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
On December 7th and 8th, 2012, Asheville, Hendersonville, and the North Carolina Natural
Products Association will host an all-star gathering of experts from the sustainable agriculture
field at the International American Ginseng Expo in Mills River, NC, to discuss the impact of
American Ginseng on the economy, health, and culture of this region and the nation.
A request was made that the Board approves the attached proclamation proclaiming December
2nd through December 8th as American Ginseng Week in Henderson County.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Recommend that the Board of Commissioners adopt the attached proclamation as presented.
Suggested Motion:
I move the Board approves the attached proclamation proclaiming December 2nd through December 8th as American Ginseng Week in Henderson County. PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is an economically and botanically valued
agricultural commodity in North Carolina that has been harvested since the late 1700's; and
WHEREAS, of the seven states, mostly in the Appalachian region, which account for 82% of the wild
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) exported from the United States, North Carolina is the nation's
premier exporter last year; and
WHEREAS, the wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) root is highly valued in Asia and is
related to Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), which has been used as a panacea in traditional Chinese
medicine for over 5,000 years; and
WHEREAS, wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a profitable non-timber forest product with
the potential to contribute to more sustainable forests in North Carolina by integrating the multiple
ecological, social, and economic benefits of forests while maintaining a long-term, stable relationship
between humans and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Natural Products economic sector is a significant agricultural sector in North Carolina's
vibrant economy, with wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) accounting for over $3 million in
revenue per year; and
WHEREAS, wild American ginseng is native to Southern Appalachia but wild populations in western
North Carolina are threatened by overharvesting and loss of habitat through land development; and wild
simulated threatened by theft, and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Natural Products Association was formed in 2002 as a 501c(3) non-
profit organization dedicated to conserving, cultivating, sustainably harvesting, and processing North
Carolina grown medicinal plants; plus NCNPA's mission is to establish North Carolina as a key global
supplier of premium-quality raw materials and plant-based value added products; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina Natural Products Association is bringing together a historical assembly of
South Appalachian ginseng experts at the International American Ginseng Expo on December 7th & 8th,
2012 at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, North Carolina.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby PROCLAIMED that the week of December 2nd through December
8th be declared American Ginseng Week in Henderson County.
____________________________________________ Attest: _____________________________________ Teresa L. Wilson, Clerk to the Board

Source: http://www.hendersoncountync.org/agendas/December%203,%202012/CA.J.pdf