Minnesota Grown Directory deadline extended

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The deadline for listings in the Minnesota Grown Directory has been extended to give more Minnesota growers time to take advantage of this marketing tool. Minnesota Grown members have until March 10 to pay for a listing in the directory.

To become a member of the Minnesota Grown promotion and marketing program, growers pay $20 for access to the trademarked Minnesota Grown logo and free merchandising materials such as price cards, posters and stickers.

For an additional $40, they can list their farm or market in the popular Minnesota Grown Directory – a statewide guide to local foods and ornamental products. The directory includes nearly 700 farms, farmers’ markets, Christmas tree farms, and other providers who sell direct to the consumer.

The owners of Prairie Pride Farm near Mankato, Roger and Dawn Hubmer, have been Minnesota Grown members since 1998. They say the marketing tools help them distinguish their products from others that may be shipped into the state.

“We have used the logo on all of our meat labels for our direct marketing business,” said the Hubmers. “When consumers read the tag line “Fresh from your Neighbor” they can easily identify which products are grown in Minnesota.”

David Hansen of Hansen Tree Farm in Anoka says being a Minnesota Grown member has brought added visibility to his business.

“By far the most exposure for my Christmas tree farm comes from the Minnesota Grown Directory and its very visible Web site. I get additional exposure from the many magazines and newspapers that use Minnesota Grown as a source for seasonal stories.”

The Minnesota Grown Directory is offered in print form and at www.minnesotagrown.com.

To become Minnesota Grown members and have a listing in the directory, growers may register and pay online, or download the forms for return by mail. Visit www.minnesotagrown.com or call (651) 201-6469 and leave a complete mailing address for application materials through the mail. The Minnesota Grown labeling license is available any time, but applications for the printed directory must be made by March 10, 2009.

Tags: minnesota, grown, directory