Interesting background on how ginseng is harvested:
“Ginseng goes through an interesting process starting from the digger and through the buyer/exporter. First of all, we all know that it is only legal to dig ginseng starting on the 15th of August. This is to ensure the maturity of most of the berries. By law in Kentucky, those berries must be planted within 5 feet of where you dug the “mother plant”. This is to ensure a renewable crop. Then, of course, you (the digger) go home, wash your root (not too clean, buyers want a little dirt left on the root), and then dry it. never cook ginseng. Microwave ovens, and conventional ovens are the worst method of drying you can use, and makes it worthless. A dehydrator is fine, just don’t set your temperature above a hundred degrees and turn the root from time to time.
Once you have it dry, you take it to a buyer or broker who will weigh it out, have you sign a harvest certificate and then of course work out the money with you.
That buyer must then, prior to selling it, have it certified by someone from Mikes office, and ask for an export certificate. Before that ginseng can legally leave this state, it must be certified, and an export permit issued.
Dried ginseng cannot be bought until the first of September and that season ends the last day of March. Any ginseng the buyer is holding after that date must be certified.
In short folks, I reckon I will be filling the void in the area in that I will be an outlet for your ginseng and other root.
Of course the other roots common for this area don’t have these restrictions and requirements. I am in the process of trying to things set up, but should be ready to start buyer “yellow root” in the next week or so.
I am not getting any real reports on area fishing holes. As I understand it, the bass are really working deep water right now on the lower end of Spa and Malone, and the crappie everywhere have moved into the 15 to 20 feet range. Catfish are hitting well at night and early morning when fishing with liver or live minnows. The one bright spot, at least for the youngsters, and those of us who appreciate a good tasting fish is with the blue gill. They are really hammering anything you throw in the water around the docks and boat ramps. As I understand it, the Marina at Shady Cliffs is a real hot spot for these sporty little fish.
Here we are in the middle of July and time to start thinking about hunting again. Remember, squirrel season opens next month, and Dove season follows on the first of September. Within a few short days the kids will be back in school, and hopefully the weather will start cooling off again.”
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