Appalachia Shifts: From Coal Mining to Sustainable Botanical Farming

In Central Appalachia, communities are transitioning from coal mining to cultivating forest botanicals, such as American ginseng and black cohosh, which thrive in the region’s diverse ecosystem. This shift supports biodiversity and economic development as the herbs are integral to the herbal medicine industry. However, much of the processing and profits occur outside the region.

Virginia Tech’s Shannon Bell leads efforts to keep more revenue within Appalachia. Post-coal communities often prioritize alternative energy projects such as fracking and natural gas pipelines, or invest in prisons and landfills for economic development. Central Appalachia ranks among the planet’s most biodiverse regions, which can be a key factor in providing an alternative means for economic development.

To highlight this unique transition, a ‘living monument’ was also created to highlight the historical and modern uses of these botanicals, supporting both conservation and community awareness. The initiative aims to foster a sustainable future by leveraging Appalachia’s rich biodiversity. An example that other coal reliant communities can look to in a post coal era.