Feingold, Obey Announce Grant for Wisconsin Ginseng Farmers June 27, 2005 Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold and Congressman Dave Obey announced today that the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin has received a Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program grant of $76,500 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant will help Wisconsin ginseng producers continue to produce blemish-free ginseng while maintaining low chemical residues to help overcome international barriers to their product. Feingold and Obey have long worked to protect both Wisconsin ginseng growers and their produce with truth in labeling legislation. In April of this year, Feingold and Obey introduced, in their respective houses, truth in ginseng labeling legislation to protect producers and consumers of ginseng. "I am pleased that USDA is helping Wisconsin ginseng producers remain competitive in the world market through this grant," Feingold said. "Ginseng producers and consumers worldwide know that Wisconsin produces some of the highest quality ginseng to be found anywhere in the world and this assistance will help Wisconsin growers maintain that high standard." "Excessive global ginseng production, false labeling of imported ginseng and low prices have taken a heavy toll on Wisconsin's ginseng industry in recent years," said Obey, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. "However, ginseng exports still play an important part in the agricultural economy of Marathon County and central Wisconsin and these federal funds should provide a welcome boost to Wisconsin growers," Obey said. "The Ginseng Growers of Wisconsin sincerely appreciate the support of Senator Feingold and Congressmen Dave Obey with the truth in labeling legislation. It is extremely important for the consumers when they are purchasing "Wisconsin Ginseng" to be able to trust that they are purchasing high quality, low residue product and they are not being misled with Canadian and Asian ginseng product which does not all meet the strict growing practices Wisconsin growers are adhering to. The TASC grant will allow the continuation of a comprehensive research program which provides the Wisconsin Ginseng industry the ability to comply with the foreign trade constraints that have high standards of importation of specialty crops," said Wisconsin Ginseng Board President, John Heil. The TASC Program was established by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and is designed to help open, retain and expand markets for U.S. specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, nuts and other horticultural products. Wisconsin ginseng commands a premium price in world markets because of its high quality and low chemical residue. Feingold and Obey introduced their companion legislation because smugglers from Canada and Asia have labeled their ginseng product as "Wisconsin-grown," misleading consumers and undercutting domestic ginseng growers.

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