ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Grown Promotion Group (MGPG) has elected new officers to its Board of Directors who will help guide the organization’s work supporting Minnesota farmers and food businesses marketing their products as Minnesota Grown.
The MGPG Board is comprised of representatives from 13 Minnesota producer associations, spanning fruits and vegetables, meat, honey, wine, and more, along with three at-large members. Board members are elected to reflect a balance of statewide geography, products, and markets that make up Minnesota’s diverse local food system.
Founded in 1988 by specialty crop growers, the MGPG helped establish the Minnesota Grown program and continues to serve as a trusted partner to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Today the MGPG Board of Directors also serves as the Minnesota Grown Advisory Committee, meeting three times per year to advise Minnesota Grown in its work to promote quality Minnesota grown products statewide.
“The Minnesota Grown Promotion Group has played a critical role in shaping and strengthening the Minnesota Grown program since the very beginning,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Their leadership brings valuable perspective and helps ensure the Minnesota Grown program reflects the real needs of farmers and food businesses in the state. I’m grateful for the time and expertise the new officers are contributing to support Minnesota agriculture.”
The newly elected MGPG officers are:
President: Adam Ulbricht
Adam Ulbricht is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Bison Association and serves as Program and Communications Coordinator for the National Bison Association. He previously spent 10 years working for one of the largest Farm Credit associations in the U.S. Prior to that, Ulbricht worked as a journalist in central Minnesota and Washington, D.C., and later in the Minnesota House of Representatives as a ghostwriter. He and his wife live in central Minnesota with their three children and their dog, Moose.
Vice President: Rachel Sannerud
Rachel Sannerud is the founder and farmer of Pluck Flower Farm, a cut flower farm in Milaca, Minnesota, offering a Flower CSA and bouquets throughout central Minnesota and the Twin Cities. She also manages a homestead goat dairy and large vegetable garden. Sannerud serves as President of the Mille Lacs County chapter of Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) as well as Membership Engagement Committee Chair for MFU. She is proud to represent small-scale specialty crop growers who may not otherwise have industry representation.
Treasurer: Brenda Hartkopf
Brenda Hartkopf represents the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association on the MGPG Board. She and her husband have raised elk for more than 30 years near Howard Lake, Minnesota. Hartkopf serves as Executive Secretary of the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association and manages the office for the North American Elk Breeders Association, overseeing membership services, publications, and the Purebred Elk Registry.
Secretary: Kathy Zeman
Kathy Zeman has served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association since 2012. During her tenure, she developed educational resources through the Farmers’ Market Academy and Cottage Foods Academy and helped expand programs focused on farm profitability and market access. Zeman is also the owner of Simple Harvest Farm in Nerstrand, Minnesota, a 20-acre diversified livestock farm that direct-markets products to both retail and wholesale customers.
Together, the new officers will continue MGPG’s mission to support Minnesota farmers and producers, promote Minnesota-grown products, and strengthen the Minnesota Grown program as a trusted brand for consumers across the state.
“The Minnesota Grown Promotion Group’s leadership has played a foundational role in keeping producer needs front and center in the work of the Minnesota Grown program,” said Mallory Forseth, Program Manager for the Minnesota Grown program. “We’re grateful for past MGPG leaders who shaped the program and excited to collaborate with the new officers to chart the path forward.”
February 2, 2026