The Gensing harvest season officially begins on September 1 in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. In the late 1800s across the region, independent women, farmers and even whole towns gathered ginseng for international export. But that rich history has largely been eclipsed by modern day poaching and regional stereotypes — until now. A new book by environmental historian Luke Manget explores the complicated history of ginseng harvest in the Appalachians. In Ginseng Diggers: A History of Root and Herb Gathering in Appalachia, Manget reveals a savvy culture of gatherers and shatters those stereotypes about "sangers." He shares details with Stephanie Lang, editor of the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society