The Minnesota Department of Agriculture administers Minnesota Statutes Chapter 18H, also known as the “Nursery Law”. Statewide inspection and certification of Minnesota grown nursery stock, (perennials, trees and shrubs) facilitate interstate and international movement of pest free stock. Stock entering the state must meet certification standards and must be certified in the state of origin. Audit inspections are conducted at Minnesota nursery dealer sites to intercept plant pests and assure required documentation accompany shipments. Regional inspection staff also conduct special surveys to meet the requirements of receiving states or countries. Japanese beetle trapping and soil sampling are done to allow Minnesota stock to be shipped into western states. Tissue samples are collected to determine presence of systemic insecticides to protect pollinators. This program is completely supported by fees from nursery stock Dealer and nursery stock Grower certificates, special survey fees and export inspection fees.
There are approximately 5,700 acres of nursery stock in Minnesota that is inspected annually. Only certified nursery stock may be offered for sale in Minnesota. Plants are inspected and - if free of serious plant pests - certified for sale. Inspectors visit retail locations to verify that imported plants were inspected and certified in the state of origin and meet all applicable state and federal plant pest quarantines. Accuracy in hardiness labeling is also documented. In Minnesota, plants labeled for cold hardiness must conform to the information posted here (https://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/nurseryprogram/hardinesslist.aspx).
Businesses of any size offering for sale or selling nursery stock must have a nursery certificate. Non-profit or educational organizations selling stock over a period of 10 days or using the proceeds for educational, charitable or religious purposes are exempt from certification. Private individuals are exempt only in specific conditions: they are not a business of any kind, gross sales of nursery stock do not exceed $2,000, all stock sold is intended for planting in Minnesota, all purchased nursery stock was Minnesota Grown and certified by the MDA, and sales occur no more than 10 days per calendar year.
If you have questions about the inspection program or selling nursery stock, please contact Steven Shimek at 651-201-6619 or email Steven.Shimek@state.mn.us