Appalachian Outlaws

Storyline

The Appalachian region has the right elevation, rainfall and soil to produce some of the world's best ginseng. With demand for the herb increasing worldwide and supply not able to meet it, the crop's value is approaching $1,000 per pound. As is to be expected with such a valuable commodity, competition is fierce among growers, who are doing whatever it takes -- lawfully or not -- to control as much of the crop as possible. This reality series spotlights some of the diggers, growers and middlemen who make a living wage from the ginseng trade, for which they must defend their land from outsiders trying to get a piece of the pie.