The age-old practice of growing and harvesting medicinal plants to use as pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements is alive and well today! The Alabama Medicinal Plant Growers Association (AMPGA) believes that medicinal plant production can be an income source for Alabama landowners.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the AMPGA is to promote the development of a medicinal plant industry in Alabama through education and sharing of information on medicinal plant species and varieties, cultural methods, disease and pest management, appropriate harvest, processing and storage methods, quality standards, organic production techniques, and market opportunities. They focus especially on those plants that have potential for generating revenue for Alabama farmers and landowners. In addition, the group promotes exchanges of plants, plant materials, seeds and rhizomes and serves as a clearinghouse where medicinal plant growers can learn of market opportunities, connect with potential buyers for their crops. Buyers can identify growers with whom to contract for production. Both growers and buyers can access educational and research resources to assist them in their business efforts.
Giving Alabama Farmers Other Crop Options
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, September 10, 2011
2011 Fall Annual Meeting and Workshops
Location: ARC Building, A&M University, Huntsville, AL
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Workshops begin at 10 a.m. Sessions end at 4 p.m.
Continental breakfast and working lunch provided.
Sessions include:
Tulasi, the Miracle Medicinal Herb Dr. Rao Mentreddy, A&M Univ.
Huntsville Botanical Gardens Theme Gardens.
Organic Certification Karen Wynn, Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network.
Shiitake Mushroom Demonstration Rhonda Britton, A&M Univ.
Field Visit, Alabama A&M University Experimental Gardens.
See 90 different basil varieties, turmeric, aloe, and bitter melon plants. Business meeting for association members.
Registration Fee:
Members - $20.00
Nonmembers - $30.00
Students with ID: $20
Additional family members: $20.00
Registration Form:
TO DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM, click here.
From the Vice-President: Getting these forms in to us helps us calculate how much food to bring. Since I know you'd all like your share of goodies and plenty of coffee, tea and soda, please let us know that you plan to join us before Sept 8 if possible. We've got some great speakers and terrific programs. We need all your ideas and input to help us find more and better ways to get our medicinal plants growing and marketed in Alabama (translation: we'd like to see you all at the business meeting). See you September 10! ~ Janet Smith
Directions to ARC Building:
- Coming from I-565 East, take Oakwood Drive exit, turn left off the ramp at the traffic light.
- Turn right onto Meridian Street at the second set of traffic lights.
- Turn left onto Chase Road, go past the first entrance to the university.
- Turn left into the second entrance.
- The first building on your right is the ARC building.
- Park in the parking lot next to the building after you pass the security gate.Motel: Host Motel, VIP Inn and Suites, South Memorial Parkway, Huntsville
Membership
AMPGA is dedicated to developing sustainable markets for Alabama grown medicinal plants.
The AMPGA annual membership fee is $30.
For more information, call 256-276-8599 or 205-540-8215.
Or email Goey@LizardHillFarms.com or Janet@TheLovelyJanet.com.
All members are encouraged to attend to help shape the direction of AMPGA for the coming year. If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the Contact Us link on the left.
If anyone has suggestions to improve this website, please email us.