[Article published in the _Adair Progress_ May 8, 1997]
Four thousand ginseng seed have been planted in the wild woods on 13 farms in the
Glensfork Kentucky area. Pre-sprouted seed were obtained from a grower in Tennessee.
While we had intended to make some seed available to landowners and diggers for
planting, the pre-sprouted condition and the lateness of the season caused us to
plant them quickly. In the future we will continue efforts to make ginseng seed
available at cost, either in the Autumn or the Spring. The Ginseng Cooperators Group
started last year as a nonprofit association of diggers, consumers and landowers/growers
who want to sustain the wild herbs industry in Adair County for future generations.
A total of $55 was issued to eight landowners in October 1996 as commission on sale
of wild ginseng and goldenseal harvested from their woods. Some landowners chose to
donate their shares to the GCG by not cashing their cheques; these donations are
registered as credit towards GCG membership fees, or seed. $70 was invested in seed.
In five years time this investment will grow to at least $4,200 value, an increase
of 600%. While it is difficult for any one farmer to prevent a ginseng patch from
being stolen, by making the wild ginseng crop a public asset it cannot be stolen,
but only shared; as our grandmothers and grandfathers shared the bounty of the wild
woods for generations before. The landowner has the right to limit access and
control the harvesting of wild herbs on his or her land. GCG wishes to thank all the
diggers, consumers, traders and woodland-owners who help sustain the wild herbs
industry in Adair County. -30-
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