New Minnesota Grown Directory now available

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has released the 2017 Minnesota Grown Directory. With over 1,000 listings, this year’s guide features more local growers and farmers markets than ever before.

For more than 25 years, the MDA’s Minnesota Grown program has been connecting consumers to locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats and poultry, wines, nurseries, décor, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations, and other agricultural products. More than 1,000 Minnesota Grown members have registered this year, making the directory the largest direct-to-consumer agricultural publication in Minnesota.

“The Minnesota Grown directory is the first place lots of consumers look for a local agricultural product, or a CSA or farmers’ market,” said Agricultural Marketing and Development Director Paul Hugunin. “Our farmer members love connecting with their consumers, and that’s why it’s so exciting to see that this year’s directory features more farms and markets than ever.”

Consumers can search the directory by region, product, or name of a farm or market. The online and mobile-compatible versions of the directory make searching on-the-go convenient. The 2017 directory also features recipes from five Minnesotan chefs, including a Doraisamy elk loin, roasted garlic crème brulee, wild rice scones, and more.

Free, printed copies of the Minnesota Grown Directory are available at www.minnesotagrown.com/order-minesota-grown-directory/or by calling Explore Minnesota Tourism at 1-888-TOURISM.

Minnesota’s berries ripening for peak July picking

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Raspberries and blueberries are peaking in southern and central Minnesota as the strawberry season is underway in the northern region of the state. Cool, wet weather delayed the growing season slightly, but berry lovers can expect a variety of berries ready to be picked and enjoyed throughout the state this month.

Beth O’Connor of Blueberry Fields in Stillwater says her plants were unaffected by the unusually cold winter and are above average levels of early production. “We are seeing clusters of the green berries already setting heavily and we think it’s going to be a great year. We’ll have many berries available, including pre-picked and pick-your-own.”

Knapton’s Raspberries, Pumpkins and Orchard in Greenfield has fantastic looking raspberries despite the minor growing delays. “The blossoms are finished on our plants, as it takes one month from blossom to fruit,” said grower Gabe Knapton. “This might be the best looking crop we’ve had in three years.”

In northern Minnesota, strawberry growers expect an exceptionally plentiful harvest. Ter-Lee Gardens in Bagley expects their strawberry harvest to start this week.

The 2014 Minnesota Grown directory boasts 50 summer raspberry producers and 31 blueberry farms selling pick-your-own, pre-picked, or both. Minnesota Grown spokesperson Jessica Miles says visiting a pick-your-own berry farm is a fun, family-friendly summer day trip.  She suggests calling ahead before visiting to ensure availability of berries and favorable picking conditions.

An interactive map feature on the Minnesota Grown website makes it easy to find a berry farm. The FREE, printed Minnesota Grown directory is also available and has easy-to-use lists, an index, and farms by region. Both of the resources are available at www.minnesotagrown.com, or you can order a print copy by calling 1-888-TOURISM.

MDA invites farmers to advertise in the Minnesota Grown directory

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is updating its popular statewide Minnesota Grown directory of farms and farmers markets. Minnesota producers who grow or raise products to sell directly to consumers are eligible to be in the directory. 970 farms and farmers markets were included in the 2013 edition of the directory.

The MDA distributes 190,000 copies statewide through tourist centers, libraries, chambers of commerce, farms and retailers. Farms advertising in the print directory are also included in the online edition, which had more than 265,000 unique visitors in 2013. Sign up by January 31, 2014 to be included in this year’s print directory.

“The demand for local foods has increased dramatically over the last few years,” said Jessica Miles, agriculture marketing specialist with Minnesota Grown. “Our directory is the most comprehensive and commonly used source to find local foods and plants in Minnesota.”

The 2014 directory will be released early April, just in time to start planning spring and summer activities. The release of the new directory will coincide with the launch of a redesigned website, which will have a new look and be easier to use and navigate.

“For just $60, farmers can get an entire year’s worth of advertising both online and in print,” said Miles. “They’ll also have access to other great Minnesota Grown members-only benefits such as use of the trade marketed logo and FREE stickers, price cards and other promotional items! Just don’t delay!”

The Minnesota Grown Program was created nearly 30 years ago as a way to differentiate locally grown produce from that shipped in from far away. The program has grown steadily and now has more than 1,200 members, including fruit and vegetable farms, livestock producers, farmers markets, CSA farms, orchards, Christmas tree growers, garden centers, wineries and many more.

Potential new members may sign up and pay online by clicking on the “Members” box at www.minnesotagrown.com, or contact Jessica Miles at 651-201-6170 or jessica.miles@state.mn.us to request an application by mail or with additional questions.

Governor Dayton declares August 4-10 Farmers Market Week

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed August 4-10, 2013, as “Farmers Market Week” in Minnesota to celebrate the benefits of farmers markets and the agricultural products farmers provide.

The popularity of farmers markets has increased, in part, because of the interest in healthier foods and lifestyles and an increased understanding of the importance of maintaining small, sustainable farms.  Local farmers are able to offer consumers a variety of products including heirloom vegetables, heritage breeds of livestock, and other specialty products.

Minnesota Grown spokesman Paul Hugunin says more than 160 farmers markets are found in the Minnesota Grown Directory.

“The Directory makes it easy to find what locally grown foods are available at the farmers market in my neighborhood and at hundreds of locations throughout the state,” said Hugunin. “These markets not only offer farm-fresh, healthful products, they also provide an important opportunity for consumers and farmers to interact.”

Many farmers markets throughout the state are hosting special events during Farmers Market Week.  Contact your local farmers market to find out more or find farmers market locations in the online version of the Minnesota Grown Directory at www.minnesotagrown.com. The online Directory allows people to locate a farmers market by day of the week as well as by location. Free printed copies of the Directory are also available online or by calling 1-800-657-3878.

Workshop will help volunteers become first detectors of fruit and vegetable pests

ST. PAUL, Minn. – You can train to become the front line of defense against new and emerging pests of fruit and vegetable crops at a July 24 workshop at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The workshop targets Minnesota commercial growers, home fruit and vegetable gardeners, as well as others involved with or interested in new and emerging diseases and insect pests. In-depth sessions will focus on pests of new concern for Minnesota fruit and vegetable growers, including spotted wing drosophila, brown marmorated stink bug, Goss’s wilt of sweet corn and exotic downy mildews of basil and cucurbits.

This half-day program is based on the highly successful and award winning Minnesota Forest Pest First Detectors Program. It is a joint venture of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension and National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN).

The workshop will be held Wednesday, July 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the MacMillan Auditorium at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chaska, MN. The $25 event fee includes gate admission to the Arboretum. Anyone may attend, including individuals who do not wish to become a First Detector Volunteer.

For more detailed information about the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable First Detector Program and how to become a volunteer visit www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides/fdfruitveg.

Registration is open up until the 8:00 a.m. workshop start time. To register online for the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable First Detector Workshop, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/gardening.aspx or call 954-443-1422.

Capitol Farmers Market opens this Thursday

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Capitol Farmers Market is set to open again this summer near the Minnesota State Capitol. The Capitol Farmers Market is a satellite of the St. Paul Farmers Market and is expected draw hundreds of state employees with offices in and around the Capitol complex. Hours for the market, which is open to the public, will be 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. every Thursday from July 11 - September 26.

The Capitol Farmers Market is operated by the St. Paul Growers Association and will feature plenty of fresh produce, including a wide variety of greens, fruits and vegetables for Capitol complex employees to purchase just in time for weekend cooking at home or at the cabin. Vendors will also offer meats, flowers and other products for sale throughout the summer growing season and into the fall.

Minnesota Grown spokesman Paul Hugunin says the market is another venue for St. Paul consumers to connect with farmers.

“Response from shoppers last year was tremendous and it’s wonderful to have the market open again this year,” said Hugunin. “The market offers more marketing opportunities for Minnesota farmers and more healthy food choices for state employees and the public.”

The Capitol Farmers Market is one of more than 160 farmers markets listed in the online Minnesota Grown Directory at www.minnsotagrown.com. You can also order a free directory by calling 1-888-TOURISM.

The Capitol Farmers Market is located along Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, directly south of the State Capitol.