Ginseng would be Wisconsin's state herb under proposed bill

Mark Treinen, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Published 8:11 p.m. CT Nov. 3, 2017 GinsengI.jpg (Photo: Courtesy of Mark Hoffman) CONNECTTWEET 8 LINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE MADISON - Ginseng would become Wisconsin's official state herb under a bill proposed by a central Wisconsin lawmaker. Senate Bill 248, co-authored by Sen. Jerry Petrowski of Marathon, would elevate the status of a root used for medicinal purposes, primarily in Asia. Although most of the world's ginseng is grown in China, Wisconsin accounts for 95 percent of the root's production in the United States — with most of the U.S. supply produced in Marathon County in Petrowski's Senate district. About 180 Wisconsin businesses are involved in ginseng production, and the state's agricultural agency reports that the industry generates up to $20 million annually in gross income statewide. Ninety-five percent of the ginseng produced in the United States is grown in Wisconsin. Ninety-five percent of the ginseng produced in the United States is grown in Wisconsin. (Photo: Photo courtesy Marathon County Crime Stoppers) Rep. John Spiros of Marshfield co-sponsored the bill. “Ginseng is a treasure in our state known nationally for its exceptional quality,” Spiros said in a statement issued Friday. “I’m proud to be shining a spotlight on it and on those who work hard in our state toward the production of ginseng.” The bill has already passed in the Senate and will be sent to Gov. Scott Walker for his approval. If Walker signs the bill, ginseng would become the 23rd state symbol, joining four other plants: the wood violet as the state flower, the sugar maple as the state tree, corn as the state grain and cranberry as the state fruit.