Wisconsin Ginseng: Complete History of American Ginseng in Marathon County

By Xi Luo, originally written in Chinese

Wisconsin ginseng has become synonymous with premium American ginseng worldwide. Marathon County's journey from wild ginseng harvesting to becoming America's leading ginseng producer is a fascinating tale of innovation, perseverance, and international trade.

The Origins of American Ginseng Trade

In the late 19th century, Marathon County began profiting from cultivating Wisconsin ginseng, a mystical root highly regarded for its health benefits and aphrodisiac effects. Wild American ginseng once flourished throughout eastern North America, from Canada's Montreal area south to northern Florida.

The American ginseng trade with Asia began in the 18th century when exports to France grew rapidly. However, over-harvesting and incorrect processing damaged American ginseng's reputation in Eastern markets. John Jacob Astor first exported American ginseng to China in the late 18th century, establishing ginseng as an important commodity in US-China trade relations.

Wisconsin Ginseng: From Native Medicine to Global Export

Early Native American Use

Native Americans in Wisconsin used American ginseng as traditional medicine long before European colonists arrived. In the 1840s, white settlers began extensively acquiring Wisconsin ginseng from Native Americans for export to Asian markets.

Marathon County's Ginseng Industry Begins

The ginseng trade in Marathon County started in the 1870s and quickly became crucial to American ginseng exports. From the 19th to 20th centuries, most wild Wisconsin ginseng was sold to China, where it was prized for its medicinal properties.

The Challenge of American Ginseng Cultivation

Wild American ginseng faced a critical challenge: it's a fragile plant requiring 4-5 years to mature. Neither Native Americans nor white settlers initially understood how to cultivate it artificially. Large-scale harvesting quickly threatened Wisconsin's wild ginseng populations.

Breakthrough in Ginseng Farming

In the 1880s, George Stanton achieved the first successful American ginseng cultivation, sparking "ginseng fever" across America. From the West Coast to the Midwest, farmers began dedicating virgin farmland to American ginseng cultivation. In Marathon County, pioneers Reinhold Dietsch and Frank Volhanrd literally sowed the seeds for Wisconsin's ginseng industry.

The Fromm Brothers: Wisconsin Ginseng Pioneers

When a devastating blight attacked North American ginseng crops in 1905, destroying two decades of cultivation efforts, many growers abandoned the industry. However, the four Fromm brothers from Hamburg—Walter, Edward, John, and Henry—entered the business when others left.

Originally planning to breed silver foxes, the high costs led them to grow American ginseng for funding. Despite their youth (Walter was 16, Henry only 10), they achieved remarkable success in both ginseng cultivation and silver fox breeding.

Innovation in Ginseng Cultivation

The Fromm brothers studied wild American ginseng and its natural habitat extensively. Through years of trials, they mastered improved cultivation methods that became industry standards. By 1913, three other companies in Marathon County joined the American ginseng industry, though they didn't become mainstream leaders until 1919.

Wisconsin Ginseng Market: Volatility and International Relations

The Wisconsin ginseng industry has always been volatile, heavily dependent on political and economic relations between Asia and America. Key historical impacts include:

Economic Challenges

• 1930s: Chaotic political and economic conditions in China severely affected the Wisconsin ginseng market
• 1940s: The Sino-Japanese War and World War II devastated the American ginseng market
• Post-WWII: Restored Asian relations (especially with Hong Kong) sharply increased Wisconsin ginseng demand

Growth and Recovery

Wisconsin ginseng cultivation expanded dramatically with improved international relations:

• 1948: Only 78 acres of American ginseng in Marathon County
• 1970: Increased to 154 acres
• 1978: US-China trade promotion policies expanded cultivation to 750 acres

Modern Wisconsin Ginseng Industry

The Golden Era (1979-1990s)

After establishing diplomatic relations in 1979, China and the United States entered the heyday of American ginseng production. Wisconsin reached 1,500 ginseng farmers cultivating 3,000 acres of ginseng farmland.

Crisis and Recovery

The late 1990s brought crisis when 90% of American ginseng growers went bankrupt due to Canadian competition and overproduction. However, the industry recovered in the 21st century.

Current Wisconsin Ginseng Production

Today, Marathon County maintains nearly 200 farmers cultivating 1,500 acres, producing 500,000-600,000 pounds annually. This generates approximately $15 million in revenue for local farmers.

Recognition from Traditional Chinese Medicine

In 2009, China's renowned royal pharmacy "Tong Ren Tang" came to Marathon County and purchased 100,000 pounds of authentic Wisconsin ginseng. After 100 years, the descendants of Wisconsin ginseng farming pioneers finally gained the trust and recognition of over one billion Chinese consumers.

Wisconsin Ginseng Benefits and Quality

Wisconsin ginseng is prized worldwide for its:

• Superior quality due to ideal growing conditions
• Traditional cultivation methods perfected over generations
• Strict quality standards and sustainable farming practices
• Recognition in traditional Chinese medicine
• Proven health benefits and medicinal properties

The Future of American Ginseng in Wisconsin

Wisconsin ginseng continues to represent the pinnacle of American ginseng quality. Marathon County's rich history, combined with modern sustainable farming practices, ensures that Wisconsin ginseng remains the gold standard for premium American ginseng worldwide.

Originally published in Chinese by World Journal in 2001; revised and adapted in 2025