Hidden just below the soil’s surface in Marathon and surrounding counties lies an international gem. Grown for generations in the central part of the state, American ginseng roots have been cultivated in Wisconsin for more than 100 years. Each ginseng root grown in the state of Wisconsin is tended with care by farmers that have many years of experience. Nationally, and even more so internationally, ginseng grown in Wisconsin is the gold standard for high quality American gins

Before I ran for Alice in Dairyland, I had little idea of what ginseng was, how it was grown, or what it even looked like! Fast forward to today, after touring several ginseng operations in Wisconsin, I have discovered how important this small root is to our agriculture community. Ginseng roots require years and years of care before harvest, but have significant economic value after processing. Thanks to the diligence of our ginseng growers, Wisconsin ginseng is in demand aro

Today’s farmers are continually innovating when it comes to new methods of growing and raising our food supply. Aquaponics, a process which allows producers to raise and grow both a protein and vegetable crop simultaneously, has seen an increase in popularity. Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture – raising fish in water – and hydroponics – raising plants in water. Plants grown in a hydroponic or aquaponic system are not grown in a traditional method using soil. Instead,