Appalachia's History of Harvesting Ginseng, Apples, Timber, and More!

Join us as we explore Avery County, NC's history of harvesting plants as a way to earn money. From Ginseng to timber, apples to Galax, and now the Fraser Fir, there is a long and storied tradition of harvesting a wide array of plants as a way to earn money in Appalachia.

[@SMichaelDeHart]

Ginseng and Ramps are still in abundance in the only state completely within the Appalachian mountains...West Virginia. We grew up harvesting ginseng, ramps, blackberries and wild apples in southern West Virginia. Nothing better than to hike into the Cranberry River and fish for trout, gather ramps, wild onions and wild apples to fix a fantastic supper. Started as a Scout and contined into adult hood. My aunt and her husband always made homemade apple butter with the Ruritan Club in Giles County, Virginia. Coal mining and Timber harvesting are both very dangerous.

[@AppalachianMemoryKeepers]

That sounds like a FANTASTIC supper!

[@atexinc.5472]

Good job. Enjoyed

[@AppalachianMemoryKeepers]

Thanks for watching!

[@claraspencer2959]

Grandpa always buried apples and cabbage in the barn in holes lined with hay. He had a cider mill that he made apple cider with. Leaving a couple gallons for vinegar. Also a little for hand cider.

[@AppalachianMemoryKeepers]

Sounds like Grandpa was an industrious man!

[@larrysmith6499]

Great video

[@AppalachianMemoryKeepers]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NCFraserFirGrower]

Good ole Doug!!! What an agriculturalist !!!! Great job

[@AppalachianMemoryKeepers]

Thanks 👍

[@bettyholman798]

Me and grandpa alwayes went sang hunting in the fall

[@AppalachianMemoryKeepers]

An old tradition for many Appalachian families!

[@yevonnehorn6196]

Wonderful news 😊!