Wisconsin Ag Connection - Assembly Approves Ginseng as State's Official Herb

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Assembly Approves Ginseng as State's Official Herb
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/06/2017

Wisconsin could soon have yet another state symbol that has roots in the agricultural industry. On Thursday, the Assembly voted to pass a bill authored by Rep. John Spiros that would designate ginseng as the state herb.

The Marshfield Republican says about 95 percent of the ginseng produced in the United States comes from Wisconsin, with most of it being grown in Marathon County. There are approximately 180 small to medium state businesses involved in ginseng production, which generates up to $20 million annually in gross income.

"I'm proud to be shining a spotlight on it and on those who work hard in our state toward the production of ginseng," Spiros said.

Sen. Jerry Petrowski of Marathon introduced a companion bill, which has already cleared the Senate. That means Governor Scott Walker will now decide if he wants to sign it.

Earlier this year, Walker signed a bill proposed by state elementary students making cheese the official dairy product. Other state symbols designate the sugar maple as the state tree, corn as the state grain and cranberry as the state fruit.

Other Wisconsin Headlines