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Welcome to the Marketing Minute, highlighting the
marketing and development activities of the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture |
 Minnesota foods debut in Dubai
Fruit flavored licorice is becoming a popular treat in the Middle East and a Minnesota company is helping to supply the region's demand. Kenny's Candy Company of Perham was one of several Minnesota firms to showcase their food products at the Gulfood Show in Dubai. The trip was hosted by MDA's International Trade Representative Shannen Bornsen.
"Gulfood has become one of the most successful international shows in terms of on-site sales for U.S. exporters,"said Bornsen. "The seven Minnesota companies with products featured in the Minnesota Pavilion garnered more than $2 million in on-site sales."
Kenny's Candy took orders from five new countries according to the company's National Sales Manager Sherri LeCrone.
"It takes a long time to establish leads and relationships in foreign export markets," said LeCrone. "This was our first time exhibiting at the Gulfood Show and we couldn't be more pleased with the results."
The Gulf region has continued to increase its imports of U.S. foods. The region brings in more than $3 billion of bulk commodities and another $1.7 billion in value-added products. Held in Dubai each February, Gulfood attracts more than 62,000 buyers from 150 countries. This year's show featured 3,800 exhibitors from around the world.
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Wanted: land to rent in metro area
The MDA has joined other agencies in the Twin Cities metro area in locating available farmland for immigrant and minority farmers. There are approximately 100 Hmong and other immigrant and minority farmers in need of land according to MDA Ag Land Use Specialist Becky Balk. She says many of them have a crucial need for land because planting season is just weeks away. "Some of these farmers may have already paid their farmers' market fees for this season and now find themselves with no place to grow their produce," said Balk. "In many cases, they just need a couple of acres of land to farm." Most of these farmers live and sell in the metro area, so they are looking for land within an easy driving distance and that they can rent on a long-term basis. In addition to finding viable rental land in the seven county metro, these farmers may also consider land in surrounding counties such as Carver, Chisago, Goodhue, Isanti, Mcleod, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington and Wright. Anyone interested in helping address this need is asked to contact: Ly Vang, Executive Director for the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women, 651-222-0475, lvang@aahwm.org or Hli Xyooj, Attorney and Hmong Community Outreach Coordinator for Farmers Legal Action Group, Inc., 651-223-5400, HLYyooj@flaginc.org or Becky Balk, Agricultural Land Use Specialist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 651-201-6369, becky.balk@state.mn.us. |
Thai group exchanges ethanol expertise with state biofuels advocates
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture was honored to join the Minnesota Trade Office, Minnesota Department of Commerce, the American Lung Association in Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Commerce in hosting a delegation from Thailand that visited Minnesota to learn more about the state's biofuels programs and industry.
Thailand is seeking to utilize their abundant supply of cassava to produce ethanol and replace a portion of their petroleum use. MDA Assistant Commissioner Charlie Poster, Senior Ag Marketing Specialist Ralph Groschen and Bioenergy Manager Christina Connelly participated in meetings with the delegation.
Thanks to Erik Osmon and the crew at Bushmills Ethanol in Atwater for hosting a tour of their plant and CHS, Inc. in Inver Grove Heights for providing the delegation with their first fill-up at a blender pump. |
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AG STATS
The farm & food sector provides an estimated 367,000 jobs in our state.
One of every 5 jobs in Minnesota exists thanks to the farm & food sector.
Cash receipts from farm marketings = $13.3 billion. (2009)
Grain sector contributes 63% of cash receipts at a total value of $8.42 billion.
Livestock sector contributes 37% of cash receipts for a total value of $4.9 billion. Minnesota ranks 4th nationwide in crop production and 7th nationwide in livestock production. We rank 6th overall in total agricultural production. |
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MDA merges Marketing & Development divisions
The MDA has merged its Marketing and Development divisions resulting in cost savings and improved efficiency without reducing programs and services. The new Ag Marketing and Development Division will focus on four core areas - local foods, livestock development, domestic/international
marketing, and energy/environment.
"These activities are vital to the execution of MDA's mission to strengthen the agricultural economy and ensure the health of the environment," said Interim Director Mary Hanks.
"Bringing the divisions together will also help the agency meet its budgetary reductions." |
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Bulk orders taken for free Minnesota Grown Directory
The 30th Anniversary Edition of the Minnesota Grown Directory has gone to the printer and will be available for shipping by the end of April. Pre-order the 2011 directory featuring farmers' markets, CSA farms, garden centers, orchards and more!
Bulk order request form
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