Find Minnesota Grown at the State Fair

In the past, Minnesotans had to wait until the final butter sculpture was carved and the last cheese curd was eaten to pick and buy Minnesota Grown apples. But thanks to delicious early season apple varieties, the State Fair and local apples can go hand-in-hand. Growers have been planting early ripening apple varieties– including First Kiss, SweeTango, and Zestar! – available in stores and orchards in mid-to-late August, nearly four weeks earlier than traditional apple crops. The Minnesota Apple Growers Association booth is near Minnesota Grown in the Ag-Hort Building at the State Fair with cruchy apples and sweet-tart cider pops for sale!

Also in the Ag-Hort Building, the Minnesota Honey Producers Association will be showcasing a wide range of locally produced honey and honey products, including honey condiments, ice cream, refreshments and gifts. Did you know our state produces 7 million pounds of honey each year, and there are more than 130 honey producers in the Minnesota Grown directory?

The Minnesota Elk Breeders Association will once again have a booth at the 2023 located at the corner of Judson Avenue & Liggett Street (in front of the Horse Barn).  Come see and feel a real elk antler in both velvet and hard antler and see a beautiful elk mount. Pick up lots of great information about elk farming and purchase elk antler dog chews or delicious elk sausage, jerky and snack sticks made with Minnesota elk meat!

Catch up with the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers in two places - at  the Baa Booth in the Sheep Barn and their commercial shop in the Dairy Building. If the fair signals the start of fall, plan ahead with some cozy local products to keep you warm as the temperatures drop!

Every year, Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm near Monticello supplies nearly 200,000 ears sweet corn for the Corn Roast stand.  A variety grown specifically for the Minnesota State Fair, the corn is hand-picked daily at the peak of freshness. Minnesota is one of the top states in the nation for producing sweet corn and the Corn Roast Stand is always a crowd favorite at the fair.

P.S. Untiedt's will also be providing green tomatoes to the Fried Green Tomatoes stand and heirloom tomatoes to French Meadow!

An always popular stand, Minnesota Wine Country showcases varieties of wine from across the state, including several Minnesota Grown members.

In addition to its Marquette reserve red, WineHaven Winery will be showcasing a new wine this year – LaCresent – a semi sweet white with hints of melon, peach and tropical fruit.

Refreshing wine slushies (and wine!) from Round Lake Vineyard in Round Lake will be available at the Minnesota Wine Country stand as well as Giggles Campfire Grill and The Hideaway Speakeasy.

Minnesota Grown members including 3 Cricketeers, Kinney Mini Farms, and Sailor Mercy will be sampling their tasty products at the Healthy Local Food exhibit with Renewing the Countryside in the Eco Experience.

The Minnesota Farmers Union Coffeeshop will have local fried green tomatoes and maple syrup.

Facepunch Foods hot sauces - including hot banana pepper and Project X-Reaper - can be found at Mancini's (under the Mancini's brand label) and Beisswenger's Hardware.

On opening day, August 24th, the Kowalski's Market at the Cambria Kitchen will feature Minnesota Grown members including Redhead Creamery and Revol Greens.