[MPWG] History Channel's 'Appalachian Outlaws'

[Susan Leopold]

United Plant Savers as well is getting several emails it may be helpful if we/concerned organizations make a collective press release. " history channels show gets it wrong" and state a list of facts. If anyone wants to be apart of this possible press release please contact me directly. I am somewhat thankful that the show has aired in the dead of winter and my intuition is that the show will not get good ratings and fade quickly. I do feel it is important to email directly original productions and its parent company through the contact Pat Ford provided so that other shows in the pipe line take into consideration the after affects of this type of "reality show" on already struggling native medicinals. The pressures of habitat loss and stresses on the environment compounded by portrayed drama is tragic for an industry we all are trying to protect and work so hard to sustain. Susan at unitedplantsavers.org. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 17, 2014, at 9:00 AM, "Jeanine Davis" <Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu> wrote:

> And it is because of ridiculous comments like that, $1000 per pound for green ginseng, that I can no longer answer my telephone. I now screen every phone call because I am getting dozens of them every day from people around the country who think they are going to get rich from ginseng. And they don’t believe me, or get aggravated with me, when I give them the truth, so they are not pleasant conversations. Urgh.  Jeanine
>  
> Jeanine M. Davis, Ph.D. 
> Associate Professor and Extension Specialist 
> Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University 
> Email: Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu 
> Websites:  http://ncherb.org  http://ncspecialtycrops.org http://ncorganic.org 
> Blog:  http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com 
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU 
> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228 
> Address: Mtn. Hort. Crops Research & Extension Center 
> 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759 
> Phone:  828-684-3562   FAX:  828-684-8715
>  
> From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Robert Layton Beyfuss
> Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 11:27 PM
> To: Ford, Patricia; mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
> Subject: Re: [MPWG] History Channel's ‘Appalachian Outlaws’
>  
> Just watched episode 2 of A.O. For a “reality” show, they are not even close when it comes to the prices they claim to pay diggers. $1,000 a pound green weight is ridiculous.  
>  
> From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Ford, Patricia
> Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 3:57 PM
> To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
> Subject: [MPWG] History Channel's ‘Appalachian Outlaws’
>  
> The History Channel (http://www.history.com/) aired a new program called ‘Appalachian Outlaws’ on January 9, 2014, with two more episodes scheduled for Jan. 16th and 22nd, about a group of American ginseng diggers and buyers.  Many members of the MPWG listserve have reported that the program glorifies illegal harvest of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) by showing diggers blatantly trespassing on public and private lands and harvesting under-age ginseng plants.  Additionally, the United Plant Savers and the American Herbal Products Association have publicly come out against the program.
>  
> State regulations for the harvest and buying of wild American ginseng are designed to ensure that ginseng roots are legally and sustainable harvested.  The harvest of ginseng plants that are too young (plants with fewer than 3 compound leaves/prongs and under 5 years of age), plants with green fruits, and harvesting too many plants, could wipe out wild American ginseng and lead to the collapse of this multi-million dollar industry.
>  
> Poaching ginseng from public and private property should not be encouraged and it is illegal punishable by State and Federal laws.  Protected lands where ginseng harvest is not permitted, such as State lands, National Parks and some U.S. Forest Service lands, provide necessary refugia which helps to safeguard the long-term survival of this species into the future.  The right to own land is one of the most valued rights of Americans, poaching ginseng from private property deprives the rightful landowner income from their lands.
>  
> Last week, when we learned of the program, we, the U.S., Fish and Wildlife Service, contacted the History Channel about the program and sent them relevant information about the State/Federal management of American ginseng, and our key messages were posted on the program’s website at: http://www.history.com/shows/appalachian-outlaws/articles/ginseng-facts.  We hope to expand our involvement with the History Channel to urge them to incorporate information about the importance of sustainable and legal harvest, and that there are responsible diggers that practice and encourage good stewardship harvest of wild American ginseng.  
>  
> The parent company of the History Channel is AE Network.  Feedback on the program can be sent to aefeedback at aenetworks.com.  Or to A&E Television Networks, 235 East 45th Street, New York, New York 10017; or phone or fax the network at: 212-210-1400 (phone) or 212-210-9016 (fax).
>  
> To learn more about the legal harvest and trade of American ginseng, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/international/plants/american-ginseng.html; http://www.ahpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=154, and contact your State agency that manages ginseng.
> 
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> Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare information that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional. Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant Conservation Alliance.                                                    
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