TOPIC: Education Materials

For my major summer project, I'm working on developing educational materials on ginseng. I would like some input from you all.

We've got a basic framework to start with. If you could suggest 5 things (either how it's presented, to what content is given, anything) towards such a project, what would those be?

I'm not sure what aspects of ginseng this educational material is going to cover. I'm assuming that this will be in the form of a brochure/pamphlet. If so I'd reccomemend the generous use of pictures. You know, some old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words.

I'd suggest section on the history of the plant/market. You should probably include a section on growing conditions/ companion plants etc. A section on stewardship. A section on growing...(different methods and current market values of each)..... Like I said, I;m not sure what all you will be trying to convey - just throwing some ideas out.

One last note. I'd definately at some place make mention of the fact that good stewardship is a key to allowing the tradition of ginseng hunting to continue in the future. Ginseng is not an inexaustible resource and if the population of wild plants is ever determined to be getting too small the export of wild roots could be halted.


I'm a dealer in Ohio and I'll be the first to tell you that I don't like seeing young small plants harvested. I've also hunted and dug wild ginseng for quite a few years and know that you can't always tell the size of the root by the size of the top, but if it is smaller and/or younger than what a person thought it would be before digging, it can easily be immediately planted right back in the ground it came from and has an excellent chance of surviving and growing to a good marketable size.

Hope all this rambling is somewhat helpful:)

Well said 5prong.
Latt

5prong - I left the question fairly open ended on purpose. While, I feel we are preaching to the choir here, you all have a great insight on the industry as a whole so I welcome any comments and suggestions.

Our materials will be for a variety of outlets from online to print (we're just in the planning stages), and covering an extensive amount of information. It seems to me, much of which is out there, which are good, is very technical. For the avid ginseng person that is a good steward, they are going to read the in depth materials.

What I'm trying to capture are the ones we aren't reaching currently and get the basics in their hands.

Great comments on the stewardship information, we have that included on our working outline.

www.wikihow.com/Hunt-for-Wild-Ginseng

www.wikihow.com/Grow-Ginseng

Anna,
I think it should state that ginseng needs to be at least a mature seed bearing plant, a three prong with each prong having 5 leaves. The main root body be at least 2 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. I would like to see the age of wild and truly wild simulated ginseng raised to at least 7 years old. If a root looks to small, gently replace it working some loose dirt around the root and a little water if you have some with you.
It takes ginseng in the wild at least 7 years to make a good 3 prong. Trust me.

rootman

I think that the internet is probably the best tool for reaching the group of folks you are trying to educate. I believe that a lot of folks who are new to ginseng get a little over zealous and don't realize how \"bending the rules just a little\" can have a large impact on future populations of the plant. It sounds like this is the group you are targeting.

I think that a lot of this group may on occassion do a web search for something like (keys to finding ginseng) or (secrets of ginseng hunting). I think that if you could figure out how get your info to pop up for such a web search you could probably reach more folks than by pamphlet type materials.

I know that this is getting off topic, but I think that a GINSENG HUNTING COURSE similar to a hunter safety education course that a lot of states require to purchase a hunting license should be required to sell wild ginseng roots. I know that something like this will take legislation, but it would reach virtually everybody. I'm sure there will always be a handful of people who just have no reguard for the law or the future of the species, but I truly believe that a lot of people are just naive when it comes to ginseng growing in the wild.

I have often thought of (and even proposed here in Ohio) something similar as to what 5prong just said. As much as I detest large and invasive government, it is what it is. I still have guys bringing me small stuff and swearing they only harvest large three prong plants. Just to prove this point to myself, I planted some of them this year. They ALL came up as smallish twos.

So, I'm thinking an internet course complete with quiz should be required in order to obtain a free digger's license each year. This doesn't have to be tremendously costly, time consuming or extensive. It would allow every digger to learn about any new laws or regulations pertaining to ginseng.

I think the thing I would like to see controlling agencies emphasize more is just how little those small roots add to the value of your lot of ginseng. In fact, those small ones can reduce the overall value considerably. Those small roots are much more valueable left right where they are to produce seed until they are large enough to be included in a collection of high quality ginseng for market.

Like Rootman said, if you are surprised how small they are, plant them back.

Great comments and input - all around!

Thanks and keep them coming!

rootman wrote:

Anna,
I think it should state that ginseng needs to be at least a mature seed bearing plant, a three prong with each prong having 5 leaves. The main root body be at least 2 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. I would like to see the age of wild and truly wild simulated ginseng raised to at least 7 years old. If a root looks to small, gently replace it working some loose dirt around the root and a little water if you have some with you.
It takes ginseng in the wild at least 7 years to make a good 3 prong. Trust me.

rootman

Great point. This is something I've become more aware about in my tenure in my job.

Harvesting a 5 year plant, 3 prong, is the bare minimum. Of course, it took 7-10 years from the seed to get to that age, too.