Frequently Asked Questions

Harvesting Ginseng

• When can I legally harvest ginseng? Harvest season begins September 1 and ends December 1.
• Can I legally harvest ginseng on my own property at any time? No. Even on private property, ginseng can only be harvested legally during the harvest season, from September 1 to December 1.
• Do I need a permit to dig ginseng? There are no permits required to dig ginseng, but you should always receive permission from the property owner prior to harvesting. Harvesting on state property, including state parks, or federal management areas is not allowed.
  
• How do I know which plants are ready for harvest? Plants must be a minimum of 5 years old. A mature ginseng plant will have at least three leaf prongs. Never harvest the roots of plants with fewer than three leaf prongs. Any plant with fewer than three leaf prongs is considered a seedling or juvenile plant and will not meet the minimum age requirement of five years..
• What should I use to dig for ginseng roots? Avoid using sharp tools as they may gouge or damage a root. It is best to use a tool like a mattock to loosen the dirt around a plant so that it can be removed carefully from the soil using the hands.
  

selling Ginseng

• When can I sell my ginseng? You may sell fresh, green ginseng beginning September 1. Dried ginseng can be sold beginning September 15 through March 31, to licensed Kentucky ginseng dealers.
• What is the price of ginseng in Kentucky? We do not provide any information on the market value of ginseng. To determine the market price, you will need to contact licensed Kentucky ginseng dealers directly to determine the current market value.
• Can I sell Kentucky ginseng to someone outside of the state? Only a Kentucky licensed ginseng dealer may sell Kentucky ginseng outside of the state. Additionally, any Kentucky ginseng sold outside of the state must first be certified by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Appropriate documentation must accompany the ginseng at the time of sale. Kentucky ginseng cannot legally leave Kentucky without an export certificated issued by our agency.
• Can I sell Kentucky ginseng online through a marketplace or auction site? A Kentucky licensed ginseng dealer may sell Kentucky ginseng online, provided the ginseng is first certified by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Kentucky ginseng that has not been certified may not be sold online.

Kentucky Ginseng Dealer Licensing

• When can I apply for a Kentucky Ginseng Dealer License? First-time dealers may apply after July 1 for a license that is valid for that same year's fall harvest. If you intend to conduct ginseng business beginning September 1 of a year, you should submit your application after July 1 of that same year.
• Do I need to re-apply if I was licensed a dealer in a previous year? Once you’ve been approved as a Kentucky Ginseng Dealer, you will receive a renewal letter and application annually by mail each July, provided the address on file is current.
• How old do you have to be to become a Kentucky licensed ginseng dealer? No person under the age of 18 years old may be issued a Kentucky Ginseng Dealers license.
• Someone I know wants to help me with my ginseng business – do they need to have a ginseng dealer license? If another person helps you with paperwork, finances, or handling roots, it is highly recommended that this person also holds a Kentucky Ginseng Dealer License. This includes family members, spouses/partners, and employees.

nON-kENTUCKY GINSENG

If you have questions related to ginseng from another state, you should contact the coordinator for that state. Each state’s ginseng program is different, so it’s important to verify information with the appropriate contact. Our staff can only answer questions regarding ginseng originating from Kentucky.