Ginseng Board

Begun in 1986, this market order board has seven members who represent some 180 registered ginseng growers. Its purpose is research, national and international marketing, new product development, and education.

This board is responsible for the management of an annual assessment between $100,000 and $150,000. The assessment rate is $125/acre under shade and $3 per pound of seed.

Wisconsin is number one in the United States in the production of ginseng, accounting for about 90 to 95 percent of all ginseng produced in the country, and Marathon County is the top ginseng growing county in the state, producing about 95 percent of Wisconsin's annual crop.

The state's ginseng growers sold 316,000 pounds of dry root from the 2012 crop, although that crop is still being sold. In recent years, prices range from $46 to $77 per pound, depending upon many factors. China is the largest importer of US-grown root, purchasing more than 70 percent of the state's harvested crop.

The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin directors, each of whom serves a three-year term, are:

• Joe Heil, Edgar (President)
• Ron Krautkramer, Athens
• Kirk Baumann, Wausau
• Tom Hack, Mosinee
• Dave Schumacher, Marathon
• Barney Fisher, Wausau
• Paul Monk, Bryant

More information about the board is available by writing to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin at 668 Maratech Avenue, Suite E, Marathon, WI 54448, phoning 715-845-7300 or faxing 715-845-7300.