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Welcome to the Marketing Minute, highlighting the
marketing and development activities of the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture |
Vilsack visits MN to promote biofuels 
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of continued support for biofuels during a meeting this week with key leaders in Minnesota's renewable fuels industries. His visit included a stop at the CHS headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, where he was joined by Governor Dayton and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar for a brief roundtable discussion.
MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson participated in the roundtable, along with MDA Biofuels Manager Christina Connelly of the agency's Marketing and Development Division.
Vilsack touted the biofuels industry for reducing national reliance on foreign oil, creating jobs, infusing capital into rural communities and improving the bottom line for farmers. He said he also supports a plan to redirect the federal ethanol tax credit towards expanded biofuels infrastructure, increased research and development on advanced fuels and a shift in payments from blenders to producers of biofuels.
Vilsack highlighted a change under USDA's popular Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to allow fueling station retailers to apply for funds to install "blender pumps", which can dispense varying blends of renewable fuels such as E20 and E50 (gasoline blends containing 20 percent and 50 percent ethanol, respectively). Minnesota leads the nation in E85 with approximately 360 stations, representing 15 percent of Minnesota service stations; 70 of those stations are also equipped with blender pumps.
"It was an honor to have the Secretary in Minnesota to hear from such a diverse group of industry stakeholders," said Connelly. "He is a true supporter of this industry and we are fortunate to have him as our leader in Washington."
The roundtable brought together leaders from Minnesota's farm organizations, state government agencies, agricultural lending institutions, biofuels producers, the American Lung Association in Minnesota, state cooperatives and others.
Vilsack writes more about the visit in the White House Blog. |
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Find Minnesota Grown
foods fast -
there's an app for that!
Local food lovers now have a phone application to track down Minnesota Grown foods throughout the state. Minnesota Grown joined forces with a Madison, WI company, Local Dirt, to provide information about Minnesota farms and markets for inclusion in their smart phone "Locavore" app. The Locavore app gives both Android and Apple (iPhone) users the ability to find locally grown foods from any location by using GPS technology imbedded in those devices. Listings provided by Minnesota Grown route the user back to the Minnesota Grown Directory for full descriptions of the farms and markets.
The "Locavore" app is $2.99 and can be downloaded at
www.getlocavore.com.
Printed copies of the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Minnesota Grown Directory are also now available from tourist information centers, farms, libraries, real estate agents, retailers, and other supporters of local growers. A complimentary copy of the Minnesota Grown Directory may be ordered by calling Explore Minnesota Tourism at 1-888-VISITMN (1-888-847-4866). The guide is also offered online as a searchable database on the Minnesota Grown website at www.minnesotagrown.com.
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Waste-to-Energy workshop for Minnesota food processing & livestock industries
There's increasing interest in waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies due to growing energy demands worldwide. Insights into this trend will be highlighted at an upcoming workshop co-sponsored by MDA. Minnesota beverage & food processors, livestock producers, electric cooperatives and others involved in energy and environmental industries should plan to attend the Waste-to-Energy Workshop next month at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.
Topics to be covered include anaerobic digesters, connecting to the grid, biogas energy recovery technologies, and steps to developing a successful biogas to energy project. Attendees will also hear firsthand experiences and lessons learned from food processing and livestock producers who are engaged in WTE projects.
The workshop is Tuesday, May 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at the Earle Brown Heritage Center, 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center.
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AG STATS
Minnesota's soybean growers produced 321 million bushels last year, valued at $2.8 billion. |
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Low cost, high rewards at NRA show
Minnesota food and beverage companies are encouraged to join MDA's Minnesota pavilion at the America's Food Fair held in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association (NRA)show on May 21-24 in Chicago.
The overall economic impact of the restaurant industry is expected to reach $1.5 trillion. Take this chance to grab a bit of that market for your company. Not only will you meet buyers from some of the best known U.S. restaurant and hotel chains, but you will also have contact with international buyers specifically looking for new U.S. suppliers.
Qualified companies can also get a 50% reimbursement of their booth cost through Food Export Midwest's Branded Program.
For more information, contact Shannen Bornsen at 651-201-6658. |
Celebrate soybeans
This is National Soyfoods Month and a great time to recognize the accomplishments of Minnesota's soybean growers. Probably not a bad time to start adding some soy to your diet, as well.
Minnesota ranks third nationally in soybean production with 321 million bushels grown annually - a $2.8 billion dollar industry.
Soybeans are known for their versatility and health benefits and are the only plant source of complete protein, containing all nine amino acids.
More about soy |
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