Can Stinging Nettle revolutionize farming in West Virginia? 

Ten  farmers in West Virginia and two  farmers in Ohio intend to research the use of stinging nettle (Urtica dioca L.) as  a potential organic fertilizer. Previous studies indicate fermented or fresh stinging nettle water makes a good fertilizer.    To examine fertilization efficacy, stinging nettle tea and hydrosol will be applied to tomato plants as a foliar spray. The results of the applications of the formulas will be compared with a commercial organic fertilizer and a control bed.   

Because stinging nettle is easy to grow almost anywhere in the world, the use of it as a fertilizer could greatly enhance the organic farmer*s produce and soil while saving time, energy, money and the environment.  Environmental costs of delivering fertilizers from great distances, thus increasing our carbon footprint, would also be eliminated or greatly reduced.  Petroleum products, including fertilizers, are becoming more and more expensive for farmers to use and they also gradually kill the ground on which they are applied, whereas organic fertilizers like compost and compost teas actually improve the soil on which they are applied.  If farmers could obtain their fertilizers from their own farms, or locally,  storage would be greatly reduced, and costs would be only in time.

Research and use of stinging nettle as a fertilizer has shown it to be successful in France, Germany, England, Africa and other countries.  However, in the United States, most research has been done on how to eliminate it rather than use it.

On April 3rd, interested farmers met at La Paix Herb Farm in Alum Bridge (Lewis County) West Virginia to discuss the efficacy of doing the stinging nettle research as volunteers.  Those who decided to participate are:  Myra Bonhage-Hale, La Paix Herb Farm, Lewis County, Eva Ristl and husband, Left Fork Farm, Roane Co., Alexandria Straight, Ronan Straight, Hans Straight, Bare Creek Farm, Ritchie Co., Robert & Busie Barbour, Thistlenook Farm, Upshur Co., Dean McIlvine, Carmella Massara Twin Parks Farm, West Salem Ohio, Bart and Andrea Lay.  Hidden Hollow Farm, WV., Melissa Dennison & husband, Garden Treasures, Roane Co.,  Chef Dale Hawkins, Fish Hawk Acres, Upshur County.

More information on this project may be found at www.lapaixherbfarm.com, specific links being:  http://www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com/stingingnettleprojectjournal.htm.  

http://www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com/stinging_nettle_project.htm

http://www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com/stingingnettleprojectcalendarofm.htm

The progress of the various research farms will be documented on the links above.

The Ohio organic farmers do not have stinging nettle growing on their farm.  If anyone in Lewis County or surrounding counties has stinging nettle which they want to have harvested within the next month or so, please contact Myra at lapaix@hughes.net.