Ginseng As A
Business
by, Michael Hunter
The first thing that you are going to look at as a businessman is what kind of a return
can I expect out of my money? If a pound of "Glacial Gold"
ginseng seeds cost me $89.95 (US) and I can expect 35 pounds of ginseng roots
back at the end of seven years. Well in today's market, that would be about
$6,300 (US).
Now if you're doing this on a reasonable scale, you could get some pretty serious money
involved. Now when they are commercially growing ginseng seeds, they are planting it any
where from 110 lbs. to 125 lbs. per acre. Well, their yield back isn't all that good, but
they look at it from the point that they don't have to pay for their seeds. They're going
to replant the same seeds, then they wonder why the product that they're growing only
brings eighteen dollars per pound.
Now when they are commercially growing ginseng seeds, they are planting it any
where from 110 lbs. to 125 lbs. per acre. In The Woods We Plant At
40 pounds per acre.
The sensible way to do this, depending on the acreage you have to work with, is start with
one hundred pounds of "Glacial Gold" ginseng
seed and grow your own ginseng seeds. If you buy three year old rootlets, you'll be producing your own
ginseng seeds next year. These are business type decisions that the individuals have to
make for their own selves. Work with your consultants, look at what you are trying to
achieve here. The equipment that I am using for planting this, which I will try and show
you over the next few pages, isn't really big expensive equipment. I use that little 1952
Ford tractor of mine, I paid $2,500 (US) for it. I paid $450 (US) for the disk that is
behind it. That's an extremely efficient way to make beds. Now the seeder, that got
expensive, that cost $1,700 (US). But you get a real nice, uniform distribution of your
seed with it. This season I'm going to put the seeder right up on top of the disk. I think
that I will get a better seed bed, that disk rides pretty high and pretty light. Then I
could actually be disking and planting at the same time, and the seeder doubles up as a
fertilizer. You can regulate the flow to it to accommodate literally any size seeds or any
size of dry type material.
At any rate, lay your woods out, figure your light, keep your
southwest corner real well shaded. These plants don't like to get real warm in the
afternoons. Once you've got your beds in, and laid out, about two weeks prior to planting,
you want to treat your rows with Round Up and literally kill back the vegetation in there.
At the same time, you want to treat for slugs. We had an El Nino last year and this caused
a slug manifestation that just was totally unrealistic. The slugs work just below the
surface. They can be handled with numerous pesticide controls. If you don't want to go
that route with them, you can actually trap them out through the course of your planting
season, if you take and put some squares of aluminum or a lightweight sheet metal,
anything along those lines. Lay it down on the surface of the beds, and the slugs will be
drawn to the metal and adhere themselves to the bottom of it. You can just walk through
your beds and pick up your pieces of metal, scrape the slugs off into a bucket,
they make excellent fish bait.
Anyway, growing ginseng is kind of like playing high stakes
poker. You always seem to come up with one of two things; a busted flush or a royal flush.
Ginseng seems to be the same way, you have to make it big or you don't make it at all. It
takes some nerve. It's going to take a lot of effort on our grower's part to bring our
crop up to where we're growing it on a compatible level with corn. Now all of
the " Glacial Gold" ginseng seeds that my company is selling, we keep track of
everything. Even the soil that it came out of, to have an idea what the pH level was.
I don't believe that some of the farmers have
ever checked their soil
in their woods. If they have checked it, "why if it's that
way one place on farm, I guess it's the same on the rest". You can buy
soil testing kits at your local farm supply store. Do your research, read some good books,
and talk to some consultants.
The balancing of the light is very important. Ginseng has to
have at least 4 hours of direct, slightly oscillating light, and as the days get longer,
it needs more shade. Some of the things that you can look at as you're utilizing more and
more of your acreage, as you get over towards the west or southwest side, put some
artificial shade up, if needed. If you have some areas in the woods that need shade, just
erect some posts, take some baling twine and tie some cross members. Then lay some brush
up over these more open areas. An abundance of material is available right there in your
woods that can be used for this type of thing. Your forestry consultants will show you the
type of thinning that should be being done in your woods. Proper thinning needs to be done
to produce a really good crop of timber and ginseng.
Keeping in mind, if and when you are considering
trying Glacial Gold Ginseng Co.
"New Concept" of blending 2 yr. old Roots with our "Glacial
Gold" Ginseng Seeds --- We and
you, are, and will be balancing our forests in the process!!! You will be taking
- where and when needed - older mature trees at prime time, to give growing
space to the new and younger generation of trees. Selecting only what
should be harvested at present, to give the correct conditions for your ginseng
crop. Also, keep in mind, Woods Grown Ginseng far out surpasses field cultivated
ginseng in value and ginsitis levels.
By harvesting your mature
trees, purchasing and planting 3yr. old "Glacial
Gold" Ginseng seeds and roots.
This is a means of no money out of your pocket now -- and will start bringing
money into your pocket in the very near future. Your 3 yr. old Glacial Gold
Roots will produce a good seed crop the next fall. The "Glacial
Gold" Ginseng Seeds will start
producing a seed crop of top notch seeds in 4 yrs. Leaving your
forest as is, will do nothing and can stunt the growth of your young
trees.
PLUS - You will have a balanced forest WITH a ginseng crop of a higher
value then the trees you removed for your initial investment!!! Now - I
believe that isn't only smart - It is investing common sense for our next
generation and for generations to come!!! Also remember, you will have a
yearly seed crop. I wish all forest were so lucky, as to have owners like
you, setting the example! Balancing our forest simply makes good sense and
you are THE answer to saving an endanger species of not only ginseng, but
of our great forests. If we don't take care of our forests, who
will??
"NEW SERVICE
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS"
NOW OFFERING THE OPTION OF MONTHLY AUTOMATIC
PAYMENTS
AFTER A 40% INITIAL DEPOSIT.
UP TO 12 MONTHS AT .06 SIMPLE BANK INTEREST
FROM YOUR CREDIT OR
DEBIT CARD
THIS OPTION WILL BE
AVAILABLE ON PURCHASES OF
$500.00
or More
ELECTRONIC CHECK
PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ALSO.
"Toll Free"
1-800-430-2939
"Ask
For Bobbie" About Details
7 AM
To 7 PM EST..
|
"For Commercial
Growers"
"My Personal E-Mail"
My Cellular 989-387-9977
Michael
Hunter Owner Glacial Ginseng Co.
 "11th
Year Anniversary
Special"
10 # Stratified "Glacial
Gold"™
Ginseng Seeds
(Appo. 72,000 Seeds)
Reg. $949.95
"$749.95"
Should be Planted in an Area of
about One Acres, Little More or Less.
Included With Your Order
The "Ginseng Growers
Guide" by Michael Hunter,
Plus S&H (US)
E-Mail
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
For
" Fast" Personal Service,
Use Our Preferred
Ordering Method
"Toll Free"
1-800-430-2939
7 AM
To 7 PM
EST..
"All
Shipment's U.S. Priority Mail"
We Accept
Cod's
and You May Pay The Mail Person With Your Personal
Check.
 "11th
Year Anniversary
Special"
20 # Stratified "Glacial
Gold"™
Ginseng Seeds
(Appo. 144,000 Seeds)
Reg. $1899.95
"$1699.95"
Included With Your Order
The "Ginseng Growers
Guide" by Michael Hunter,
Should be Planted in an Area of
about 2 Acres, Little More or Less.
Plus S&H (US)
E-Mail
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
For
" Fast" Personal Service,
Use Our Preferred
Ordering Method
"Toll Free"
1-800-430-2939
7 AM
To 7 PM
EST..
"All
Shipment's U.S. Priority Mail"
We Accept
Cod's
and You May Pay The Mail Person With Your Personal
Check.
 "11th
Year Anniversary
Special"
 
For 5 Acres or More Of
High Hardwood Forest
50 # "Glacial Gold"™
American Ginseng Seeds
(Appo. 360,000 Seeds)
Reg. $4,449.95
"$3,999.95"
Should be Planted in an Area of
about Five Acres, Little More or Less.
Custom Planting And Site Preparation Services
Are Available On Orders Of 50#'s Or More
Appo. $20.00 Per Pound; On 50 pound Orders Add $1.00 Per Mile
For Expenses, From My Place To Yours, One Way.
Included With Your Order
The "Ginseng Growers Guide" by Michael Hunter,
Plus S&H (US)
E-Mail
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
For
" Fast" Personal Service,
Use Our Preferred
Ordering Method
"Toll Free"
1-800-430-2939
7 AM
To 7 PM
EST..
"All
Shipment's U.S. Priority Mail"
We Accept
Cod's
and You May Pay The Mail Person With Your Personal
Check.
"Free"
Site
Evaluation Within 500 Miles Of Houghton Lake Mi.
|
New Maintenance
Service
For
Growers Of 100 #'s Or More Of
"Glacial
Gold"™
Ginseng Seeds
Our
Maintenance Program
Is Based On The
Recently Compiled Workshop Prepared
By Dr. Mary K. Hausbeck Department of Plant
Pathology Michigan State University.
I Am Very Pleased To Have My Name Michael Hunter
and That of My Company Glacial Ginseng Company
Listed On Page Number 5 As A Workshop Participant.
I Am Posting Michigan State University's Link Here On
Our Website So That This Information May Be Shared By
All Interested Ginseng Growers
http://www.ipmcenters.org/pmsp/pdf/MI-WI-GinsengPMSP.pdf
Cost For This Maintenance
Service Is $1500.00 To
$2000.00 Per Hundred Weight, Depending On Mileage
From Houghton Lake Michigan |
 "11th
Year Anniversary
Special"
For 10 Acres or More Of
High Hardwood Forest
100 # "Glacial Gold"™
American Ginseng Seeds
(Appo. 720,000 Seeds)
Reg. $8,995.95
"$7,999.95"
Should be Planted in an Area of
about 10 Acres, Little More or Less.
Terms Available; 40% Down and Up To 24
Months @ .06% Simple Bank Interest
$3,200.00
Down and $443.00
Per Month
This Includes Planting and 2 Years Maintenance
Service
Maintenance
Service, Custom Planting and Harvesting Services
Must Be Included For Terms.
It
Is Goal To Grow At Least 4,000 #'s of Glacial Gold
Ginseng Roots Per Hundred Weight of Glacial Gold Ginseng
Seeds Planted.
Today's Market On 5 Year Old Woods Grown Ginseng Is
Appo. $400 Per Pound.
4000 #'s of
Root X $400.00 Per Pound= $1,600,000.00
Custom Planting And Site Preparation
Services
Are Available On Orders Of 50#'s Or More
Appo. $20.00 Per Pound Planting Fee; This includes
500 Miles
Travel Expenses, Overage At $1.00 Per Mile, From My Place To
Yours, One Way.
Included With Your Order
The "Ginseng Growers Guide" by Michael Hunter,
Should be Planted in a Area of about 10 A. More or less.
Plus S&H (US)
E-Mail
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
For
" Fast" Personal Service,
Use Our Preferred
Ordering Method
"Toll Free"
1-800-430-2939
7 AM
To 7 PM
EST..
"All
Shipment's U.S. Priority Mail"
We Accept
Cod's
and You May Pay The Mail Person With Your Personal
Check.
"Click
On The Picture To View and Then Click Your Back Browser Button
To Return."
Growers
Note; 100#'s of ginseng seed should produce about 4000#'s or more of dried ginseng root
in 10 years. Today's Market $390.00 To $525.00 Per Pound.
In 4 to 5 Years It should be producing 800 to 1000 pounds of
ginseng seed per year. Today's Market; $25.00 to $30.00
For Green Seeds.
These plants can
live to be 60 to 70 years old.
"Seed Grower Contracts
Available."
250 # Stratified "Glacial
Gold"™
Ginseng Seed Kit
(Appo. 1,800,000 Seeds)
Should be Planted in an Area of
about Twenty Five Acres, Little More or Less.
Total Value $18,737.50
 "11th
Year Anniversary
Special"
$14,999.95
Terms Available; 40%
Down and Up To 60 Months @ .06% Simple
Bank Interest
$6,000
Down
and $387.00
Per Month
For 60 Months
This Includes Planting and 5 Years
Maintenance
Service
Maintenance
Service, Custom Planting and Harvesting Services
(10% For
Harvesting Roots and 10% For Glacial
Ginseng Company's Marketing Co-Operative)
Must Be Included For Terms.
It
Is Goal To Grow At Least 4,000 #'s of
Glacial Gold Ginseng Roots Per Hundred
Weight of
Glacial Gold Ginseng Seeds Planted.
Today's Market On 5 Year Old Woods Grown
Ginseng Is Appo. $400 Per Pound.
10,000
#'s of Root X $400.00 Per Pound=
$4,000,000.00
Custom Planting And Site Preparation
Services
Are Available On Orders Of 50#'s Or More
Appo. $20.00 Per Pound Planting Fee; This includes
750 Miles
Travel Expenses,
Overage At $1.00 Per Mile, From My Place To
Yours, One Way.
E-Mail
or
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
For
" Fast" Personal Service,
Use Our Preferred
Ordering Method
"Toll
Free"
1-800-430-2939
7 AM
To 7 PM
EST..
"All
Shipment's U.S. Priority Mail"
We Accept
C.O.D.s
and You May Pay The Mail Person With Your Personal
Check.
500 #'s Stratified "Glacial
Gold"™
Ginseng Seed Kit
(Appo. 3,600,000 Seeds)
Should be Planted in an Area of
about Fifty Acres, Little More or Less.
Total Value $34,975.00
 "11th
Year Anniversary
Special"
$29,995.95
Terms Available; 40% Down
and Up To 60 Months @ .06% Simple Bank
Interest
$12,00
Down
and $734.65
Per Month
For 60 Months
This Includes Planting and 5 Years
Maintenance
Service
Maintenance
Service, Custom Planting and Harvesting Services
(10% For
Harvesting Roots and 10% For Glacial
Ginseng Company's Marketing Co-Operative)
Must Be Included For Terms.
It
Is Goal To Grow At Least 4,000 #'s of
Glacial Gold Ginseng Roots Per Hundred
Weight of
Glacial Gold Ginseng Seeds Planted.
Today's Market On 5 Year Old Woods Grown
Ginseng Is Appo. $400 Per Pound.
20,000
#'s of Root X $400.00 Per Pound=
$8,000,000.00
Custom Planting And Site Preparation
Services
Are Available On Orders Of 50#'s Or More
Appo. $20.00 Per Pound Planting Fee; This includes
1,000 Miles
Travel Expenses,
Overage At $1.00 Per Mile, From My Place To
Yours, One Way.
E-Mail
or
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
For
" Fast" Personal Service,
Use Our Preferred
Ordering Method
"Toll
Free"
1-800-430-2939
7 AM
To 7 PM
EST..
"All
Shipment's U.S. Priority Mail"
We Accept
C.O.D.s
and You May Pay The Mail Person With Your Personal
Check.
Three Year Old Plants, Planted This Spring,
Should Produce A Full Seed Pod By This Fall.
Glacial Ginseng Company Order Form
All Major and Foreign
Credit Cards
Are Accepted.
|
Planting in Early Winter of 97 |
Wild Ginseng May "99"
Note The Young Ginseng Plant
|
|
