Getting to the Grass Roots of Cultivation

Abstract

In my estimation, one of the most significant early attempts to help the basketmakers with their supply issues was through the work of Keith Salvo, SCS. In fact, after being involved in the sweetgrass work from 1988 to his retirement from SCS in 1991, he struggled for a few years to set some groundwork and to be the first person to attempt the domestication of sweetgrass. Years later, he was nominated by the Mt. Pleasant Basketmakers’ Association and the SC Folk Arts Program and received the USDA “Unsung Hero” award. I agree with their choice. Although in the long run, Keith’s work at establishing a large plantation of sweetgrass failed at Palm Key, with all failures, comes positive knowledge and much was learned through that first endeavor.