Ginseng

Kentucky is one of 19 states with a wild ginseng export program. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture administers and certifies all ginseng types for export out of the Commonwealth. Anyone buying and selling (other than harvesters) ginseng within Kentucky needs to be a licensed dealer.

Important Dates

Harvesting Season: September 1 - December 1

Buying Season:
Green Starts September 1
Dry Starts September 15 - March 31
April 15 - deadline for certifying previous fall harvest

Dealer Licenses:

Dealer applications are valid from September 1 - August 31.
Dealer renewal letters and applications are mailed each July.

New dealers should apply after July 1 for a Kentucky Ginseng Dealer License that is valid for the current year's fall harvest. In other words, to be a Kentucky Ginseng Dealer on September 1, 2020, apply after July 1, 2020. This license would be valid September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

Applications received prior to June 30 each year are for a license that expires August 31 of the current year. A dealer application received on June 30, 2020 will receive a Kentucky Ginseng Dealer License that expires August 31, 2020. If you need a license valid from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, apply after July 1, 2020.

Upcoming Industry Meetings

Please check back for information on future meetings.