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 | Ginseng Wars
A WPR Special Report
Produced by Brian Bull
7/17/06 |
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In the 1980s, Wisconsin reigned as the world’s ginseng capital. Herbal medicine buffs prized the state’s "man roots" for their potency, and farmers raked in an average of $125 million a year. But stiff competition from Canadian and Chinese growers -- paired with trademark piracy -- has diminished the Badger State’s standing.
Now Wisconsin farmers are hoping to reclaim the glory days of ginseng. Brian Bull reports…
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Running time is 4:20
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Many Wisconsin farmers reflect fondly on the "Golden Years" of ginseng. A pound of the state-grown "man root" could yield up to $60-80 dollars, and there were nearly 1600 farmers raising it. But over time, unscrupulous vendors began pirating the Wisconsin trademark for their own profit.
Today, a pound of Wisconsing ginseng averages around $20, considerably less than twenty years ago. There are only about 300 farmers raising the root, despite its continued popularity. Congressional representatives are trying to help state farmers oversee who uses the Wisconsin seal on ginseng and where, but it's a formidable task. To date, several versions of the Ginseng Harvest Labeling Act have been introduced by Congressman Dave Obey and Senator Russ Feingold, but no action has been taken on either measure. |
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 Farmers like Butch Weege of Mosinee continue to hold out hope that Wisconsin may again reclaim its standing in the world ginseng market. Weege stands by the root's alleged medicinal properties, as do many herbal medicine researchers. It's believed that ginseng can help treat obesity, diabetes, lethargy, and disorders of the central nervous system.
Weege and other members of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin have recently learned that a Chinese consumer has complained to the government, over some fraudulent "Wisconsin" ginseng sold under a pirated label. Gingseng growers and advocates hope this signals better policing of the trademark between the United States and China.
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