Madison County is a good area for finding and growing Ginseng keeping in mind that North facing slopes are the best. However, don't discount some of the Northeasterly, Easterly and Southerly facing slopes if there is enough blockage of too much sunshine and/or there is a water source and/or there is sufficient moisture retained in the soil and Ginseng's companion plants flourish there. Also, no need to grow Black Cohosh or Bloodroot as it should be abundant in most areas with decent amounts of trees for a good canopy and even in some areas where there isn't. You can't make a lot off of either but you could probably fill a pickup bed every day with Black Cohosh from the mountains for a month or more and still not make a dent in it's population. Yeah, it grows that abundant and thick! If you want to grow anything other than Ginseng, then I would advise to grow Goldenseal (Yellow Root) and if you can, Star Grub Root (False Unicorn) but there are other profitable herbs that you can grow as well or harvest in the wild. One other thing is, that Ginseng will grow in some of the lowest elevations you could imagine and some the highest elevations, at least in the Appalachians that you could imagine. I have found and dug Ginseng growing on wooded hills sloping down to lakes and rivers and in wooded lots in subdivisions both with very low elevations and have also found and dug Ginseng growing close to the 5,000 foot level in the mountains of Sevier and Cocke Counties in Tennessee.
One thing to keep in mind when trying to get along with the locals is, to be friendly to everyone you meet, even the old curmudgeons when you can and you will surely encounter some of them. Be helpful to those that want your help and steer away from those that don't until they get to know you, that is, if they are willing. Steer clear of any bad folks (drug addicts, sellers, growers and producers as well as the ones you know or have been told are thiefs and/or downright criminals) and their' property. Try to make friends with as many folks near you as they can be your' safety net. Have coffee or a beer with them if you drink these at their' place and if you feel that they can be trusted, offer the same to them at your' place. Sit around and talk about life, the mountains and other topics but it is sometimes best to stay away from religion and politics (but that holds true most any place you could live). Many mountain folk are lonely and want interaction but the longer they do not have any interaction with other folks, they become leary of it and of someone's intentions. Take it slow and let the one's that are leary of interaction, work at their own pace to get to know you. Never tell anyone that you are growing Ginseng unless you can totally trust them and it would be best if they are growing Ginseng as well, so in that way, you both can help keep a watch out for poachers as you both have a stake in keeping your' Ginseng crops.
Good luck on your endeavors!
Frank
P.S. If you do move to Madison County in North Carolina, you will be in an area as well as close to many other areas where you can find Gems and sometimes even Gold. It is just a thought but with enough research, the right equipment and no fear of hard work, Gem and sometimes Gold prospecting can be profitable as well as enjoyable.
