Join Minnesota Grown - the best “buy local” promotion for over 20 Years
From Minnesota Department of Agriculture:
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Membership in the Minnesota Grown Program is one of the best deals in town and Minnesota growers are urged to sign up now. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) invites producers to join the more than 1,000 members who use the program to promote their locally grown farm products. Minnesota Grown is open to farmers, ranchers, farmers' markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) farms, meat markets selling local meats, and local nurseries and garden centers.
A $20 annual fee gives members access to free merchandizing materials such as price cards, posters and stickers featuring the Minnesota Grown logo, as well as other tools designed to help differentiate their products from others that are not locally grown. These free merchandising materials may be shared with retailers. Producers who also sell direct to the consumer may list their products in the popular Minnesota Grown Directory for an additional $40.
Producers who have discovered the benefits of the Minnesota Grown Program are eager to share their praise.
"The Minnesota Grown Directory is the best source for retail customers and for our potato farm." Tom Wingard, Wingard Farms - Elk River
"We are members for two reasons: we appreciate the (merchandising materials) and we do get calls from folks who would not otherwise know we exist." Jim Fruth, Brambleberry Farm - Pequot Lakes
"Once our (bison) tour was added to the Minnesota Grown website, the number of contacts has grown considerably." Gail Griffin, Rockie Hill Bison - Winona
Growers wishing to become a member of Minnesota Grown can register and pay online at www.minnesotagrown.com, or call 651-201-6469 and leave a message with a complete mailing address to receive an application in the mail. Producers wishing to be listed in the 2010 Minnesota Grown Directory must apply no later than March 1, 2010.
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