BLUEFIELD -- Ginseng season begins Sept. 1 and will run through Nov. 30 in the state of West Virgini...

1. W.Va. sengers get to dig some of the ‘best quality
ginseng’
BLUEFIELD -- Ginseng season begins Sept. 1 and will run through Nov. 30 in the state of West
Virginia.
Mercer County West Virginia University Extension Agent Jodi Richmond said ginseng is highly
prized by many Asian countries, especially China.
"It can be used in vitamin-like pills, it can be used in teas. The Chinese make a lot of products with
it," Richmond said. "I've even seen ginseng gum."
Richmond said the Chinese value the small knobby roots, which only occur when ginseng has been
forced to struggle resulting in slow root growth.
"If you have good quality roots that are unusually shaped, the dealers will sometimes give you a
bonus," Richmond said.
Conversely, if the roots are damaged or moldy from improper cleaning or drying, a dealer might
deduct the amount they are willing to pay per pound.
"In recent years, I've seen it pay $1,200 a pound," Richmond said. "It depends on how much time you
put into it."
Richmond said the Mercer County Trapper and Root Association will bring dealers into the area
occasionally to purchase roots from "sengers."
"The buyers here in West Virginia have to be a licensed dealer," Richmond said. "There's not one
currently in Mercer County, but they'll come here."
Mercer County Trapper and Root Association President Raymond Dishner said that wild ginseng is
being threatened by logging activity and theft.
"It's getting to be hard to find anymore," Dishner said. "Last year ginseng was selling for $800 and
$900 a pound."
Dishner said his organization held a sale at the end of July, and will hold one Oct. 4 and in November
at Mountaineer Lifelines. They will also hold a Root Seminar at the Green Valley 4-H camp on Sept.
27.
"It's a big trade," Dishner said. "There are four big buyers in the world and all of them are in China."
Despite its presence in Asia, Dishner said the reason West Virginia ginseng is in such demand is
because it is the best quality ginseng that can be found.
"It's in my blood," Dishner said.

2. Local farmer Van Wysong has been involved with the cultivation of ginseng since 1993 and has been
asked to write and speak about the cultivation of ginseng by universities across the county including
Cornell University.
"The truth about ginseng is that the demand for ginseng has increased so much that wild (ginseng)
can't furnish the need," Wysong said. "The buyers aren't as particular as they used to be."
According to Wysong, even though farmed ginseng only fetches half the price at the dealer, a
"senger" can spend an entire day in the forest searching for ginseng and find only one or two viable
plants, but ginseng cultivation yields consistent results and a regular income.
"Wild ginseng has some big problems," Wysong said. "It can't reproduce by itself."
According to Wysong, location is key. Ginseng requires specific conditions to grow.
"It's a plant that fascinates me more than any other plant," Wysong said.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry advises potential sengers to familiarize themselves with the
laws associated with ginseng hunting.
According to the W.Va. Division of Forestry, no permit is needed to dig wild ginseng, but anyone
digging ginseng on someone else's property must carry written permission from the landowner
allowing him or her to harvest ginseng on the property however, digging ginseng on public lands,
including state forests, wildlife management areas or state parks, is prohibited.
Diggers have until March 31 of each year to sell to a registered West Virginia ginseng dealer or have
roots weight-receipted at one of the Division of Forestry weigh stations.
Possession of ginseng roots is prohibited from April 1 through Aug. 31 without a weight-receipt from
the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
For more information, contact the W.Va. Division of Forestry or the West Virginia University
Extension Service in Mercer County at 304-425-3079.
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