APRIL 2015                                                                                  www.minnesotagrown.com


Order the NEW 2015 Minnesota Grown Directory!  Directory

The 2015 Minnesota Grown Directory is ready for you! This year's Directory is the biggest and best Directory yet with a record breaking 1,027 locations to buy direct from the grower. The Directory also has a record breaking number of farmers markets (both spring-fall and winter markets!) and wineries. 
 
This Directory is not only a guide to locally raised plants and delicious local foods, it also can be a guide for summer family fun! Use the Directory to get out and go local in your community and get to know your local farmer! 
      
Click here to order your 2015 Minnesota Grown Directory!
Minnesota Maple: Our State's Sweetest Treat! maple

Each year, maple syrup season ushers in the first signs of spring across the state. The transition between winter and spring marks the Minnesota maple syrup season and for many, the sweet smell of boiling maple tree sap fills the air. Minnesota Grown maple syrup producers have been busy tapping trees to collect sap so we can all enjoy the state's sweetest treat.  Just how does someone make syrup, and why is some syrup darker than others? For the answers to all our questions, we went to the experts - Minnesota Grown members, Rod and Mary Hale from Hale's Sugarbush in Cottage Grove, MN. Check it out!

 

It's all here!

syrup tap, boiling syrup, bottled syrup and pancakes and syrup
Hey Moms! 

Looking for local and fun summer activities? In this year's Minnesota Grown Directory we have  included Kid-Friendly Activities on each of the regional pages! All of the included activities include a locally grown or raised product and a chance to get crafty or outdoors with kids! Making a Minnesota Grown Journal is one of the included activities (shown right). Enjoy the beautiful weather and see how many Minnesota Grown farms you can visit this season! Every farm will be a new opportunity to learn about food from farm to plate and the agricultural diversity of Minnesota. With over 1,000 members to chose from, you could visit a buffalo ranch one week and a berry patch the next! Don't forget about vegetable farms, farmers markets, aquaponic farms, livestock ranchers and more!

Order a Minnesota Grown Directory today- we'll ship it to you for free! 

  
Game Birds Galore!birds
chukar partridge
Chicken, turkey and even pigeon are considered poultry and are commonly enjoyed for their meat and eggs. But when the usual just won't do, where do we look? To game birds of course! We spoke with Minnesota Grown members and game bird producers Jim and Betty Meyer from Oakwood Game Farm, Inc. in Princeton, MN to get the inside scoop on the production of game birds.

Read more!
Farmers MarketsFM

The days are getting longer and Minnesotans are getting excited about the warm days of summer ahead! As we move into spring we know one of our favorite seasons is coming up- farmers market season! Many farmers markets will begin to open in late April and May beginning in Southern and Central Minnesota and moving northward.The 2015 Minnesota Grown Directory boasts 183 farmers markets throughout the state! For more great information about farmers markets, read on!
Earth Day 2015 earth

April 22nd is Earth Day! Get out and go local this Earth Day to celebrate Minnesota's unique environment.  Earth Day was started in 1970 as a day of environmental education. Today this holiday is celebrated worldwide and many people participate in events celebrating the environment and creating green awareness. There are so many ways to celebrate this global holiday- visit your favorite park, help clean up litter, spend time in your favorite outdoor location, or enjoy local foods! Learning about locally grown and raised foods assists the connection between people and the environment. The Minnesota Grown Directory is a great place to start for ideas on getting out and going local. Share a Directory with your friends and family!  
   
If you are interested in an Earth Day public or group celebration, check out the events on the Minnesota Grown calendar!   
Maple-Balsamic Roasted Duckrecipe
 

Are you tired of the usual? Minnesota Grown game birds are an excellent option to mix up your palate. Cook up something a little less traditional from one of 4 game bird producers listed in our online directory. One taste of this recipe will have you putting your local game bird farm on speed dial!


 
Save the Date! savedate 
Looking for a one-stop opportunity to sample delicious wine, beer, and food from local producers? Look no further! The 6th annual Savor Minnesota event  is right around the corner!  Savor Minnesota was developed to showcase the best of Minnesota Food and drink, underscoring the importance of supporting the local movement while spotlighting top producers throughout the state. Visit Minnesota Grown members on Saturday April 25 at Shakopee's Canterbury Park and the other top producers of local foods in the state of Minnesota. Admission is $45 at the door, $40 in advance if purchased online or in person at Northern Vineyards Winery in Stillwater. Doors open at Noon; wine and beer served from 1-5p.


calendar clip art
Visit the Minnesota Grown events calendar for fun and local events in April and all year long! You'll find Earth day events, cooking classes, harvest festivals and more. Some events are open to the public and other require pre-registration. Check them out here! 

On April 18th, the Audubon Center of the North Woods is hosting their annual Food and Farms Weekend. Stay the weekend at the beautil 535 acre location and choose from a variety of expert led onsite workshops on gardening, cooking, food preservation, and visit farms who are growing fresh produce and raising animals. Learn more here and sign up soon!