American Ginseng - Production

Production

American ginseng was formerly particularly widespread in the Appalachian and Ozark regions (and adjacent forested regions such as Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario), but due to its popularity and unique habitat requirements, the wild plant has been overharvested, as well as lost through destruction of its habitat, and is thus rare in most parts of the United States and Canada. Ginseng is also negatively affected by deer browsing, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation. It is also grown commercially, under artificial shade, woods cultivated, or wild-simulated methods, in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and usually harvested after three to four years depending on cultivation technique; the wild-simulated method often requires up to 10 years before harvest. Many ginseng growers in Wisconsin are represented by the "Ginseng Board of Wisconsin", whose seal is often sought-after on ginseng products to certify they are genuine. Wisconsin, particularly Marathon County, accounts for about 95% of production in the United States. It is also widely grown in Ontario, Canada.