By Stu Johnson
Richmond, KY – Ginseng continues to grow as a crop in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It reached the point where state lawmakers are considering legislation to establish penalties for improper harvest. In an exchange with House Agriculture Committee chairman Tom McKee, the state Department of Agriculture's Mac Stone explained the crop's importance to the Commonwealth.
"So, we're looking at $8.5 million dollars for the 2009 harvest season." said Stone.
"I think few of us would realize that the ginseng crop in Kentucky is eight and a half million dollars," added McKee.
Anna Lucio with the state Department of Agriculture says the Commonwealth leads the nation in ginseng production. Lucio says demand goes beyond the traditional dried ginseng.
"We also have a lot of Korean families who come in and buy fresh green ginseng, that's another emerging market that really wasn't on the radar. Actually, buying most of the ginseng traditionally has been sold dry but there are also folks who want to come out and buy it wet," said Lucio.
The House Agriculture Committee easily passed a bill which requires the department to establish licenses for ginseng dealers and sets up a fund for its promotion.