Ginseng
Background
The ginseng certification program was established in 1994 (7 MRSA section 2225: Ginseng and Agriculture Rules Chapter 250:Certifying American Ginseng (.doc)) to facilitate the export of ginseng while meeting the requirements of the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
CITES is an international agreement that ensures the trade of certain wild plants and animals does not threaten the species survival. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is protected under Appendix 2 of CITES. As an appendix 2 species American ginseng is not currently threatened with extinction, but warrants special protection as the harvest of the desirable portion of the plant (the roots) destroys the plant. Therefore certain regulations have been put in place to ensure the survival of future generations of American ginseng.
Licensing Information
Growers interested in selling cultivated ginseng to out of state markets must apply for a license (.pdf). The license process includes a site visit to ensure that the site is free of wild ginseng and to help the grower determine the best place for planting. Harvested ginseng is weighed and an origin certificate is issued that must accompany the shipment to its final sale. The state only certifies cultivated ginseng and does not certify wild harvested ginseng.
Additional Resources
The number of licensed ginseng growers has been declining for a number of years. Ginseng growers face many challenges including the length of time it can take to produce a harvestable crop, damage from slugs and deer and a lack of readily available information on growing and producing ginseng. In order to assist growers we've compiled a list of resources that may be useful in growing a succesful crop More Information about ginseng
Contact Information
Contact the horticulture program at (207)287-3891 or email Horticulture with any questions regarding growing and selling ginseng.
