Minnesota Grown

MN-Grown-white-transparent

Join Minnesota Grown

35+ years of connecting people to local

For more than three decades, Minnesota Grown has been a trusted resource for consumers looking to buy local. We have over 1,200 member farms, markets and producers statewide. More than 1,000 of those members also advertise in the Minnesota Grown Directory, searched by more than 390,000 people last year. Join them today and help customers seeking "local" find you! 

Apply Now

Select "Minnesota Grown logo" from the License Type drop down list.

Or download a printable application and apply by mail with a check.

Need to renew your membership? Click here.

Who is eligible?

Minnesota farmers and producers of agricultural products

Minnesota farmers' markets

Producers of value-added goods featuring Minnesota ingredients

Individual producers, farmers or businesses growing/raising an agricultural product in Minnesota are eligible. Products must be at least 80% grown/raised and processed in the state of Minnesota to be eligible. Wild rice must be 100% grown in Minnesota.

The farmers' market page of our directory is one of the most searched pages! Users can search by location, season, and day of the week. If you coordinate a Minnesota farmers' market featuring Minnesota products, we'd love to have you join!

Value-added products with at least one major ingredients in their final product that was 80%+ grown/raised in Minnesota may apply for membership. When using the logo and statement, these members must specify the locality of their product with the statement “Featuring Minnesota Grown _____”

Use of the Minnesota Grown logo and statement are protected by state law. They may not be used with out a license. See Minnesota State Statute 17.102 Minnesota Grown Label for full guidelines.

What are the benefits?

A round shelf talker that says Buy Local.

Trusted Brand Recognition

Customers recognize the Minnesota Grown logo as a sign they’re supporting local farms for more than 35 years! Membership gives you the license to use the Minnesota Grown logo to promote your products as local.

A round shelf talker that says Buy Local.

Reach New Customers

On average, over 350,000 unique visitors visit the Minnesota Grown Direct-to-Consumer Directory each year, and our Wholesale Directory helps you connect with distributors, restaurants, schools, and other wholesale buyers! We also have a growing online following:

  • 36,000+ Facebook followers
  • 5,000+ Instagram followers
  • 35,000+ Subscribers to our "Pick of the Month" consumer newsletter
  • 20,000+ copies of our seasonal Living Local magazine distributed yearly

Free Marketing and Promotional Materials

Minnesota Grown-branded price cards, stickers, rubber bands, twist ties, and more are available to members at no cost.

Get Help with the Cost of Labels and Signage

If you add the Minnesota Grown logo to your product labels, packaging, or signs, our Cost Share Program can help cover 50% of the cost, up to $1,000 per fiscal year.

Promoting You is Our Mission

Benefit from statewide advertising campaigns for local products directing consumers to find farms, markets, and businesses near them using the Minnesota Grown Directory. Large scale TV and online marketing campaigns highlight buying local throughout the year and press releases are issued to earn media coverage on local products.

Choose from two membership levels

$25 per year
  • License to use the Minnesota Grown logo to promote your products as local
  • Access to free marketing and promotional materials (twist ties, price cards, etc.)
  • Eligibility for help with the costs of certain marketing costs (up to $1,000 annual value)
  • Benefit from statewide advertising campaigns
  • Listing(s) in the Minnesota Grown Wholesale Directory to connect with buyers from schools, restaurants, grocers, and value-added businesses (Optional)
  • Monthly Member Update Newsletter with information about funding opportunities and other resources to grow your business
Apply Now

$65 per year
  • License to use the Minnesota Grown logo to promote your products as local
  • Access to free marketing and promotional materials (twist ties, price cards, etc.)
  • Eligibility for help with the costs of certain marketing costs (up to $1,000 annual value)
  • Benefit from statewide advertising campaigns
  • Listing(s) in the Minnesota Grown Wholesale Directory to connect with buyers from schools, restaurants, grocers, and value-added businesses (Optional)
  • Monthly Member Update Newsletter with information about funding opportunities and other resources to grow your business
  • Listing(s) in the Direct-to-Consumer Directory, searched by an average of 350,000 users per year ($40 per listing)
Apply Now

MDA License Surcharge Fee

In ongoing efforts to improve services, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has introduced a license and permit surcharge (MINN. STAT. 17.033), added to all licensing and permitting applications and renewals, including Minnesota Grown labeling licenses. This $5 surcharge is included in the costs listed above. The surcharge is supporting the modernization of MDA's technology systems, which will provide better online services and more efficient processing of applications.

How can I join?

Join today with our quick (5-10 minute) online application! If you prefer to apply by mail, please call or send an email request with your mailing address to mngrown.mda@state.mn.us / 651-201-6140 and we will mail a paper application to you. Please allow approximately one week to process your application once it has been received.

Planning to add a directory listing for your business or market? Write-out your 460 character description in advance of the application using our directory guidelines document:

Directory Listing Requirements and Guidelines
Apply Now

Select “Minnesota Grown Logo” from the License Type drop down list. Payment options include debit/credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or electronic check. Additional processing fees are added to debit/credit transactions by the MDA's payment processor.

Questions?

Contact us at mngrown.mda@state.mn.us or 651-201-6140