TOPIC: Sellling seed

kchacha,

the seeds are imports,
Yes Ky needs to get its act together on growing ginseng. I've tried for years ( before Anna was in office ) to get some kind of growers permit but fell on deaf ears or transfered me to a busy signal and letters were never answered. So what do you do except use the best judgment you can about your operation and what really makes since for the survival of your ginseng. Hopefully in the near future we will have a program.

rootman

BCastle wrote:

That sounds like an area of Kentucky law that some of you might want to bring up at the meetings with the administrative people of you state. I think Kyjabber understands, but without support from all of you who live in KY and are forced to try and work within those laws, they might not give it much consideration. From an administrative position, it is much easier to just leave things the way they are.

Good point, Brad.

These changes do not occur overnight. Kentucky worked over 6 years as agency to update what we have currently. I personally worked 4 years researched, reading, working, and to get us in compliance with all issues we were aware about over those years.

That said, here are my suggestions on how growers can help improve and give insight to help be a positive driving force for the Kentucky ginseng industry.

One, growers need to band together and be united. I know, like other areas of agriculture, farmers are hard to herd, but you all can't be on opposite ends of the spectrum and be expected to be taken seriously.

Secondly, with the this working group/industry group, layout how, as growers, you are different from the average ginseng harvester. This would include a grower verification/inspection program. Think National Organic Program or Food safety verification programs brought to the ginseng level. This could include some type of third party system, because of the demands already on state government. Also, the types of growers and production.

Some type of grower registration that shows you do have active control of the land and not managing plots on public property, and how your production impacts (or doesn't impact) wild ginseng. How you manage wild or wild simulated (because under CITES) it is the same plots in your woodsgrown or cultivated beds.

Then, word this in plain legal terms. Before any of this could even occur, our regulations would have to be update. Possible statute change, too.

Once we had a frame work that could fit all needs, then we could go forward. And I'll add the time to work on these action items is from April - June, until it's ready to roll. Ginseng season is just not the time to get the process started, FYI.

Of course, caveat emptor, you probably won't get everything that you ask for, so be willing to compromise.

rootman wrote:

kchacha,

the seeds are imports,
Yes Ky needs to get its act together on growing ginseng. I've tried for years ( before Anna was in office ) to get some kind of growers permit but fell on deaf ears or transfered me to a busy signal and letters were never answered. So what do you do except use the best judgment you can about your operation and what really makes since for the survival of your ginseng. Hopefully in the near future we will have a program.

rootman

And I hope that you feel that I have been fairly accessible and willing to listen all steps of the way. It was a long road to get what we have accomplished so far (the work last year alone finalized); and we're just going to keep getting better and moving this industry forward in Kentucky. At least on my watch, that's the goal!

Whitjr wrote:

Kyjabber- You're a gal? I'm thinking that you are one of the few on the website...

Why do you think the Kentucky laws are so detailed? For example: \"with no tool used other than the finger.\" Seems a bit, hmm, well, for lack of a better word, ANAL!

Anyway, it's nice to have a official perspective, and thnks for being on this site. Are you able to influence the language of the law a'tall? Perhaps it's just a legislature thing.

I'd say I am (one of the few women). LOL

I don't know on the \"with no tool other than you finger,\" as we grandfathered that in, but as for the rest of the regulations, I personally read every state's statutes and regulations, as well as a chunk of the CITES treaty and the federal code. From there, I outlined what was needed and along with a committee within my agency, plus industry had recommends independent of my own research phase. I also attended the Bristol meetings in 2009 and listened and took lots of notes.

We wanted our regulations to be open and clear, detailed so that anyone could read them and understand the intent (eliminate gray areas). If you are a KY dealer, you know I send a very detailed information packet each year outlining our expectations of you as a dealer. Heck, if you're not a Kentucky dealer, it's accessible 24/7 on our website. One of the regulation writers also used that to get every thing clear in the regulation.

And thank you for the compliments. I really enjoy everyone's insights, but
I also feel I my job is to make sure everyone understands the rules so we can all play fair. Well, as fair as life allows.

Thanks kyjabber,

I understand and I do think you have been doing a wonderful job.

rootman

Thanks kyjabber,

I understand and I do think you have been doing a wonderful job.

rootman

rootman wrote:

Thanks kyjabber,

I understand and I do think you have been doing a wonderful job.

rootman

Appreciate that. Now, I've got to finish the instruction packet and mail out the first of the dealer licenses. The forms came in this week. I'm excited to get some out of here prior TO the state fair!

kyjabber,

Thanks for the official response. Is there talk about maybe changing that rule? Maybe, if you can prove you planted the seed that the plants came from? Just a thought.

Thanks again

mhowa

kchacha,

I don't know of anyone selling Kentucky grown seed. I've ask a couple sellers and if you pin them down, they are reselling seed from up north. Either, Canada or Wisconsin.

mhowa

kyjabber - thank you for your insight and efforts. I appreciate that you are here for positive discussions, willing to take comments and willing to share your knowledge of the laws, processes, etc.

rootman & mhowa - The Northern seed doesn't suprise me. We should really see it next year at seed ordering time. Higher prices due to the \"limited\" amount of seed because of the drought. Of course, maybe the drought hasn't reached up into Canada??