MDA Marketing Minute

January 2011

Issue: 1.2

Promoting the Strength of Minnesota's Agricultural Economy

Welcome to the MDA Marketing Minute,
the marketing e-newsletter from the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture

Minnesota is major stop on Chinese delegation's U.S. tour

Hundreds of Chinese government officials and business leaders spent last week in the U.S. building trade links between the two countries and signing more than 60 agreements to purchase U.S. goods. Nineteen delegates of a soybean buying group stopped in Minnesota, one of the United States' largest soybean producing states, to foster trade relations. Special guests Governor Mark Dayton, Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Pretter Solon, and Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson were present to meet the delegates.

The message delivered by both Minnesota and China representatives was the importance of continued mutually beneficial trade partnerships. China has become Minnesota's number one trading partner for agriculture, importing approximately $900 million of products in 2009.

"China is, without a doubt, a powerful trading partner, " said Commissioner Frederickson. "China holds immense opportunity for exporters, but developing the market can be a bit daunting for companies. We have resources to help them navigate the waters."

MDA's Ag Marketing Services coordinates activities such as trade missions to help companies increase their export sales. MDA also encourages companies to leverage their export marketing programs through activities and programs offered by Food Export Midwest. Food Export Midwest offers education programs, market development programs and federal funding to offset marketing costs.

Grants help specialty crop growers stay competitive

Minnesota specialty crop growers can now apply for grants to help enhance and promote their industry. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grants is to give fruit, vegetable and other specialty crop producers a competitive edge in today's marketplace. Grant projects may include outreach to increase consumers' nutritional knowledge about specialty crops, assistance in the development of good agricultural practices, investment in specialty crop research, development of new and improved seed varieties, and pest and disease control.

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants, tree nuts, flowers, and nursery plants (horticulture and floriculture). The Minnesota Specialty Crop Block Grants are administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). MDA Marketing Services Director Kurt Markham says the state received $730,000 in federal funding for the 2011 program.

"We encourage those in specialty crop production to apply for these grants that support and further promote their industry," said Markham. "I'd also encourage industry representatives to attend one of our scheduled workshops to learn more about the application process."

The workshops will be held in Moorhead on Monday, January 31, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 1080 28^th Avenue South in room Salon C, and in St. Paul on Tuesday, February 1, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at MDA's offices, 625 North Robert Street in room B145.

MDA will accept grant applications through April 14, 2011.

A list of eligible commodities can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.
A grant manual is available on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/specialty.aspx.

Questions regarding the grant program or the application process can be directed to David Weinand at 651-201-6646 or email David.Weinand@state.mn.us.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 3-5 MN Grain & Feed Assoc.Conf. - Duluth

Feb. 4-5 Immigrant & Minority Conf. - St. Paul

March 17-19 North American Farm & Power Show - Owatonna

AG STATS

190,000 copies of the MN Grown Directory were distributed in 2010.

Sign up now to be listed in MN Grown Directory

Minnesota growers shouldn't pass up the chance to be listed in the 30th Anniversary edition of the Minnesota Grown
Directory. Widespread promotion of the anniversary issue will result in increased consumer attention in the year to come.

Members should have received renewal forms by mail. Any grower can join online (click on Members) or call 651-201-6469 and leave a message with a complete mailing address to receive an application by mail.

Deadline to sign up is March 1.

E15 ruling good for MN

State Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson says the EPA's expanded approval of the use of E15 is encouraging news for Minnesota's ethanol industry.

EPA confirmed 15 percent ethanol in gasoline is safe for all cars built in the last decade.

"The EPA's action reinforces research findings in Minnesota that blends of up to 20 percent ethanol are compatible with vehicles on the road today," said Frederickson. "This is good news for our 21 ethanol plants and an industry that has been a national model for reducing dependence on foreign oil."