The forests of eastern Kentucky are well-populated with wild ginseng. Harvesters dig the crop and sell through authorized dealers, who then ship the product elsewhere to distributors. Those dealers are a vital part of the system, ensuring that only sustainably-harvested root enters the market. 

When the Kentucky Department of Agriculture approached Johnson County Extension about hosting a workshop for dealers, it was an obvious fit for the area. Two dealers attended the daylong session, in which they reviewed export standards, maturity requirements, and handling techniques for intake of ginseng root. Both dealers reported increased knowledge about their work, along with their intentions to implement what they learned in their dealing activities.