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Promoting the Strength of Minnesota's Agricultural Economy
Welcome to the MDA Marketing Minute,
the marketing e-newsletter from the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
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Minnesota is first stop for
"New Markets, News Jobs" tour
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan will be in Minnesota tomorrow for a small business conference sponsored by the National Export Initiative. Merrigan joins Governor Mark Dayton, Minnneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and a delegation of other U.S. business and trade officials in hosting the conference aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses increase their export potential. MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson will meet with Merrigan and others to address the challenges many companies face in getting their products to new markets, including access to financing and strong competition from foreign companies. The Minnesota event is the first stop of a national tour designed to help meet President Obama's goal of doubling exports in the next five years. The National Export Initiative Small Business Tour is tomorrow, Thursday, February 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota NcNamara Alumni Center. Cost to attend is $40. Registrations can be made online or tomorrow at the door. |
 Minnesota Grown Directory celebrates 30 years!
We love a good success story and the 30 year history of the Minnesota Grown Directory tops the list! Long before the "buy local" trend we know today, the Minnesota Grown directory was created to highlight locally grown products over those being shipped here from thousands of miles away. It's now the go-to guide for consumers hungry for locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and many other products. The 30th Anniversary edition will feature more than 800 farms and markets.
"The success and longevity of this publication is testament to the creativity of our growers and the quality of their products," said MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson. "We're happy to serve Minnesota specialty crop growers, farmers, ranchers, and consumers by again publishing the Minnesota Grown Directory."
This detailed printed directory is made possible by the participation of many listed growers, more than 20 advertisers, and repeated sponsorship by the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU).
"The Minnesota Farmers Union is proud to once again be the major sponsor of the directory because we share the Minnesota Grown Program's goals of educating consumers and developing economic opportunity for farmers," said MFU President Doug Peterson.
Last year, 190,000 copies of the free guide were distributed by tourist information centers, farms, libraries, real estate agents, retailers, and other supporters of local growers. The 2011 edition will be distributed statewide in April.
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Upcoming Events
Owatonna
Shakopee |
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AG STATS
Minnesota exports $110 million in dairy products to world markets. |
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MDA issues new data on dairy's impact
Every dairy cow in Minnesota contributes $25,000 annually to the state economy, according to a new MDA economic report.
The state's dairy herd of 463,000 cows has a total economic impact of $11.6 billion and over 40,000 jobs.
The report by MDA economist Su Ye, shows the economic activities generated by each dairy cow and the benefit to many economic sectors in the state such as production and processing,supply and services, manufacturing, transportation, wholesale and retail trade, feed production, and other agricultural and non-agricultural inputs.
Minnesota is the 6th largest dairy state in the U.S.
Dairy farming accounts for 24 percent of the state's total livestock production.
View the report |
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