1. WI Natural Resources Board October 2017 Webcast
AGENDA ITEM # 4.A Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
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2. Wisconsin Ginseng Cultivated Ginseng Wild Ginseng
There are primarily two types of ginseng in WI:
Cultivated - this ginseng is typically grown in the central part of the state under shaded beds.
Wild - grows in shady, wooded areas throughout the state. “Woods grown” ginseng is considered cultivated.
DATCP regulates cultivated ginseng and WDNR regulates wild ginseng. By weight, wild is typically more valuable.
AGENDA ITEM # 4.A Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
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3. WDNR Wild Ginseng Program Overview
The average annual WI wild ginseng harvest is approximately 1,278 lbs. (Average of 186,000 plants).
Approximate value = $1 million (Based on $800.00/pound of dry ginseng).
There are about 150 roots per dry pound.
Three pounds of green ginseng = approximately one pound of dry ginseng.
AGENDA ITEM # 4.A Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden

4. AGENDA ITEM # 4, A,1 Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
Plant Biology
Plants are required to have three prongs, a fruiting stalk, and the berries have to be buried on site.
The five year old restriction is in place to maintain a healthy population.
A five year old plant will almost always have three prongs, will produce seeds, and is capable of reproducing. The current regulations are in place to ensure that plants have enough time to mature so they can reproduce and maintain a sustainable population. Some members of the wild ginseng industry believe that a ten year plant requirement would further assist in maintaining a healthy population of wild ginseng.
Plant stems have leaf scars – similar to counting rings on a tree to determine age. The photo shows an example of a three pronged plant with a fruiting stalk. The bright red berries have fallen off the stalk.
AGENDA ITEM # 4, A, Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
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5. Laws and processes for ginseng dealers and harvesters
Dealers and harvesters are required to be licensed. Detailed records of purchases and sales are required.
Dealers are required to submit an annual report to DNR.
Harvest season is Sept. 1 - Nov. 1.
The Department has worked hard with dealers in the past several years to balance harvest regulations and reporting requirements with business needs. WDNR ginseng program staff and wardens have attended joint meetings with ginseng dealers and other partners to discuss wild ginseng.
Primary Rules for Harvesters- In addition to the season requirement, harvesters must possess a harvest license before digging ginseng, harvest only on private property with landowner permission (TRESPASS,) and harvest only three prong plants. Most public lands are closed to ginseng harvest and it is unlawful to harvest from state owned land.
The typical sales transaction process involves the harvester digging roots and selling them to a dealer. The harvester is required to display their license and “certify” that the ginseng was legally harvested. Dealers will inspect the license and complete the transaction by documenting the sale on a wild ginseng purchase receipt.
AGENDA ITEM # 4.A Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
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6. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Federal regulations require:
A certification that all wild ginseng was lawfully acquired.
No detriment finding. A statement from WDNR indicating that the population of plants is healthy enough to sustain a commercial harvest.
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. The purpose of the agreement is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
WDNR submits annual report to USFWS and this information assists with overall management of the species to prevent detrimental impacts of commercial harvest.
AGENDA ITEM # 4.A Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
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7. AGENDA ITEM # 4.A.1 Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
Future Challenges
Enforcement Challenges:
Secretive nature of harvest.
Outdated rules.
Ecological/environmental changes
Potential overharvest of young plants
The WI ginseng rules are about 40 years old and are outdated. The monetary reward from the sale of illegally harvested ginseng may be greater than the bond amount for the violation.
Wardens commonly receive photos from private landowners of suspicious people on their property – some are likely stealing ginseng. Public awareness of ginseng is low and some landowners may not even know they have ginseng on their property.
AGENDA ITEM # 4.A Eric Grudzinski-Special Investigative Warden
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