RIPLEY, Ohio – Ronny Warren, of Adams County in Ohio, is known by most in the Ripley area. His trade as a handyman leads him to folks throughout this rural, hilly county. There aren’t too many things about this fun-loving, happy-go-lucky lad that people in these parts don’t know.

On most days you’ll find Warren repairing someone’s house gutters, unclogging an indoor drain, performing a little electrical work or mowing someone’s lawn. On weekends, though, you’ll find him scavenging the dense woods in search of ginseng.

Ginseng seed is currently selling for $150 to $200 a pound. In the sixth year, a half-acre should produce about five hundred pounds of roots, which are selling for $400 to $500 a pound, depending on the quality. Some growers plant a portion of their seed just to grow two or three year old rootlets for resale. These small roots can also be quite profitable, currently selling for $2 to $3 apiece.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), several growers have received over $700 per pound for their wild ginseng. That’s why Warren keeps his ginseng locations to himself.

“My father always said ‘don’t tell anyone everything you know’,” he said with a huge grin. “For that reason, I’ll never tell people where I look for and find this valuable root. I’ve been at it for the past seven years.”

Warren canvasses the hills surrounding Ripley in search of this root in the wild.  American ginseng is native to deciduous forests (forests that lose their leaves very year) of the country from the Midwest to Maine, primarily in the Appalachian and Ozark regions, and also in eastern Canada. The root can be grown on ginseng farms, but Warren and countless others take to the hills themselves in search of this mature, valuable root.

“I’m not going to say it’s overly abundant in these parts, but once you find an area where they’re growing you need to hone in on that spot each season,” Warren said. “I normally find them growing wild on the shady forest floor under a hardwood tree canopy. It’s hard to spot in the wild, blending in well with other foliage until fall, when the leaves turn yellow and the bright red berries are hard to miss.”

Ginseng has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, though modern clinical research is inconclusive about its medical effectiveness. Many researchers have found that ginseng can help boost the immune system, reduce cholesterol, strengthen the nervous system and increase blood circulation to the brain, which can improve memory and concentration.

For thousands of years, the Chinese have used ginseng to treat a wide variety of diseases, increase vitality and help the body ward off illnesses. And judging from the prices paid for harvested roots, those in the United States still have faith in the root as a healing herb.

“I’ve checked into this root thoroughly and experts have told me that at current prices, a half-acre garden could produce $100,000 worth of seeds and roots over a six year period … or more than $16,000 per year,” Warren said. “Because of ginseng’s high value, it is sought after by many.”

The ODNR reports that the biggest potential problem any grower will face is the risk of having their crop poached. There are numerous examples of growers who have nurtured their crop for 10 or more years, only to have it wiped out by a poacher who steals thousands of dollars worth of ginseng. In some states the poaching of ginseng is a felony offense. In Ohio, ginseng poaching is currently a third degree misdemeanor.

“I search out wild ginseng, but I know farmers in Adams and Pike counties who grow the root, and their level of protection is extremely high,” Warren said.

With growing ginseng comes heightened security. The ODNR says growers should be concerned about closeness of neighbors, roads and other accesses to the plants. Monitoring the crop is a must at all times. After obtaining a growing location it’s vital to evaluate the potential site, as American ginseng does require a very specific habitat in order for it to grow and thrive.

Ginseng prefers the north and east-facing sites on well-drained slopes under a forest canopy of approximately 70 to 90 percent shade. Certain species of trees, such as tulip-poplar, sugar maple and black walnut are indicators of productive ginseng sites. The following understory plants can also indicate potential high-quality ginseng sites: goldenseal, bloodroot, trillium, wild ginger, jack-in-the-pulpit, spicebush and ferns. Ginseng will often grow in areas where you find these species. Ginseng also does best under a relatively narrow range of soil conditions. Soil testing is highly recommended.

“To the unpracticed eye, the cluster of green leaves of this plant looks like any other plant,” Warren said. “Once you find one, you need to dig gently around the plant with a wide-bladed soil knife because you don’t want to slice into the root. Once up, the roots will feel ropey and a bit fibrous.”

American ginseng is a protected plant species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates it through ginseng-management program administered by Ohio and other ginseng-producing states.

Diggers who sell to dealers don’t need a permit. But they must complete state-issued forms including their names and addresses and the county and dates in which they dug the plants.

“Ginseng brings in many millions of dollars to Ohioans,” said Melissa Moser, researcher with ODNR’s Division of Wildlife. “Many people rely on the money they earn from ginseng-digging to pay their bills.”

Ohio’s harvest season began on Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. State law prohibits digging ginseng out of season and prohibits digging it on state land or on private land without written permission of the landowner.

The state doesn’t track how many people are growing wild-simulated ginseng, but ginseng expert and author W. Scott Persons has estimated Ohio has 500.

Ohio ranks sixth among 19 ginseng-growing states, after top producers North Carolina, Kentucky and West Virginia. The Appalachian region is the heart of the ginseng range.