Posted: 06.09.2010

Ginseng growers whose crops sustained severe damage from snow and ice in early May will get some relief through crop insurance and emergency loans.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has issued a disaster declaration for the primary counties of Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade, where most of the state's crop is grown.

Contiguous counties are also eligible for help, including Clark, Forest, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Portage, Price, Shawano, Taylor, Waupaca and Wood.

Wisconsin's 200 ginseng growers produce 95 percent of the country's ginseng on about 1,400 acres. Governor Doyle's office says farmers harvested 400,000 pounds of ginseng in 2007 worth about $10 million.

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