Facebook growth

After being launched in early November, 2010, our Facebook page is fast approaching 2,800 "likes". Our Minnesota Grown gift basket series resulted in nearly 80 recommendations!   

Web traffic

The unique visitor count to the Minnesota Grown website increased by 7.5% to break the 240,000 mark.

Pick of the Month Newsletter hits 9,000

Our monthly e-newsletter is received by more than 9,000 subscribers. After sporadic timing and distribution in its early years, the Pick of the Month Newsletter has been issued on a consistent schedule since Casey took it over. The newsletter has a strong open rate each month.

Grant writing success

We received a $60,000 grant from USDA FSMIP to conduct consumer research for various direct marketing segments in Minnesota. This allows us to keep Casey on staff through February 2013.

The MGPG received a $97,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant to continue our Pay-Per-Click campaign and to create a mobile friendly website in 2012.

Web improvements

Using Specialty Crop Block Grant Funds, we will be creating a mobile phone friendly version of our website and making significant changes to our web page in general.

Improved wholesale database

We intend to significantly increase the number of farmers listed in the database. We will make additional improvements to the database including developing a way for buyers to post a message that they are looking for a supply of a particular product.

Market research

The FSMIP funded market research will be conducted throughout 2012 with final reporting at association meetings in early 2013.

New TV ads

We will film several new TV ads in HD during 2012.

Increased media exposure

Jessica will be working toward significantly increasing the amount of unpaid media exposure received by increasing the number of press releases issued and by cultivating relationships with mainstream media outlets as well as bloggers.

Strategic Planning

We will complete a new 3- 5 year strategic plan during 2012. 

Cold Climate Conference for Wine and Grape Growers Seeks Food Vendors 

The cold climate conference is taking place this February 23-25, 2012 in St Paul at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel.  The very popular Midwest Wine Stroll will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 6-9pm.  Along with great local wines, we also showcase Minnesota food products to wine stroll participants.  If you are interested in hosting a table to sample your product(s) to over 500 guests, please contact Terri Savaryn at mgga.tjosavarayn@gmail.com or at (952) 392-9232.     

• Limited to 12 vendors!
• There is no charge for a booth!
• A small stipend available depending on how many vendors register!

Last year we featured cheese, cakes and chocolates, but are open to different ideas as long as they compliment wine.  Click here to register.    

IATP Farm to School Producer Survey 

The Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP) is conducting a farm to school producer survey.  Whether you currently sell to K-12 schools or not, they would like to know what you think about Farm to School in Minnesota:  what's working, what's not, what would help you benefit more from the K-12 market and so on.  

Please click http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5JXBY9X to take the survey.  The survey should take less than 10 minutes and is mostly multiple choice.  Make sure to hit "DONE" at the end so that your response is recorded.

Please respond by Wednesday, February 15.  And to sweeten the pot, three lucky respondents will be chosen at random to receive a Farm to School ("I Dig My Farmer") apron.  Thanks for taking the survey and best wishes for the season ahead!  

Thank you to everyone who has already returned their renewal and updated Directory listing - it saves us the cost of printing and mailing second notices. If you haven't already renewed, please renew as soon as possible.  Second notices to renew your Minnesota Grown license have been sent out. If you haven't received a second notice, please contact Jessica Rovie at 651-201-6170 or jessica.rovie@state.mn.us.  Once you've sent in your Directory listing please check the online Directory to view and proof your listing before we go to press. We can make changes to the online Directory anytime and we'll be able to update what will be in the printed Directory until March 1st.

After more than 2-1/2 years with the Minnesota Grown Program, Casey DeRosier has accepted a full time position with CH Robinson. The new position is a great opportunity for Casey to build on the experience she has gained with Minnesota Grown. Her last day here is February 15.

During her time as a student worker and then as full time marketing specialist Casey has been instrumental in so many activities. Her Livin' La Vida Local blog, coordinating the fair display, developing the new Asian veggie cards and window clings, publishing the Pick of the Month newsletter and Member Update newsletter, interacting with members at conferences, helping with the launch of the Facebook page, wholesale database, and website landing pages stand out as being significant achievements along with all of the more routine but equally important tasks like helping to proof directory listings, mailing Directories and filling orders for promotional materials.

Congratulations and Good Luck Casey!      

The 2012 MFMA Spring Conference & Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 9:00 am to 3 pm at the American Legion Silver Star Post 428, 17 2nd Ave North, Waite Park, MN.  The MFMA invites all current and prospective farmers' market representatives, growers, specialty craft producers, and individuals involved in healthy eating and food assistance to attend this 2012 interactive event for hands-on workshops, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.  Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in mentoring sessions, to interact directly with conference exhibitors, and to benefit from the experiences of our presenters.

Online attendee registration is available at www.mfma.org with significant discounts for pre-registering by March 1st.  Registration & refreshments will begin at 8:30 am and a lunch featuring contributions from local producers will be provided.  Exhibitors should contact info@mfma.org  for pricing and availability.  

Last Chance to Order Custom Minnesota Grown Bags 

The Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) is planning the next annual order of the Minnesota Grown bags.  You do not need to be an MFVGA member to order the bags but you must be a current member of Minnesota Grown. There are two different styles to choose from:

1. Plastic bags: a heavy 1 mil white plastic t-shirt style bag printed with a dark green "Minnesota Grown" logo that includes the "Fresh From Your Neighbor" tag line. The bags are 23" x 7" x 12" and the bags are recyclable. Bags must be ordered in increments of 1,000. The bags can be customized to include your farm name, market name, etc. The minimum for customized orders is 5,000 bags. Samples of the plastic bags can be requested from the MFVGA office.
2. Reusable bags: these large SmarTotes are hunter green with white printing. Made of non-woven polypropylene, the bags have a reinforced bottom and fold together and snap closed for easy storage. The reusable bags can be customized with your logo for a minimal fee. The SmarTotes must be ordered in quantities of 50. A minimum order of 500 bags is required to customize the bags.

For more information, contact the MFVGA office at 763-434-0400 or mfvga@msn.com. If you contact the office via email, please reference the "MN Grown bags" in the subject line. MFVGA compiles individual orders and places one large order with the manufacturer in early spring with delivery in early May. MFVGA does not stock an inventory of the bags, so be sure to place your order by March 1st.

Savor Minnesota  

Savor Minnesota is sponsored by Minnesota Grown and the Minnesota Farm Winery Association. Each attendee receives a wine glass, reusable shopping bag, and booklet of the event with over $100 in discounts from the participating exhibitors.  

For more information on Savor Minnesota, including a complete list of exhibitors or to purchase tickets, visit www.SavorMinnesota.com. To exhibit at this year's Savor Minnesota contact Cassie McLemore at northernvineyards@northernvineyards.com or at (651) 430-1032.   

Savor Minnesota was developed to showcase Minnesota food and drink, underscoring the importance of supporting the local movement while spotlighting top producers throughout Minnesota.      

MFVGA Workshops:  Take Your Business to the Next Level 

Friday, March 9, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Best Western - Kelly Inn

100 4th Ave. S., St. Cloud, MN

One day - Three Workshops

Marketing:

Bob Negen is back by popular demand with two NEW topics: "The Foot Traffic Formula: How to Keep the Doors Swingin' and the Registers Ringin'!" and "How to Find, Hire and Train a Team of Retail Superstars." Bob's ideas and tips apply to anyone who sells anything to anyone. This workshop is not just for fruit and vegetable producers.

Labor Management:

This workshop will give you a greater understanding of the legal and tax issues related to labor workforce management and will address what employers must do to properly document workers and maintain effective communication with employees. The hiring process and employee compensation will also be addressed.

Food Preservation:
The morning session will give you tools to help your customers preserve the produce they purchase from you. The afternoon session is for people interested in making and marketing home processed jams and jellies at farmers' markets and community events.

Registration fee is $50 per person (includes lunch). For more information and a registration form, contact the MFVGA office at 763-434-0400 or email mfvga@msn.com