Minnesota Grown

Summer in Minnesota is never long enough, it seems once it begins, fall leaves start to change. However, the best part of the short-lived summer season are all the delicious fruits, and vegetables that are grown right here in Minnesota.

Waking up to a beautiful Minnesota summer morning, I decided it was time to go for a road trip. I found myself at Nelson’s Berries, which is South of Brainerd off Highway 25 going towards Pierz Minnesota. When I arrived, a few customers were already in the fields picking berries in the multiple rows of strawberry plants that filled the field.

I grabbed my buckets and headed off to the row that I was directed to start picking at. Within 30 minutes my buckets where heaping of luscious red berries. On my way home I started to wonder more about the Minnesota Grown sign that was on display at the Strawberry Patch.

When I got home to Grand Rapids Minnesota, I found that Minnesota Grown is a state-wide program that works with the Department of Agriculture to bring awareness to buyers that the crops or livestock was farmed locally rather than being brought in from miles and miles away.

The program was started over 30 years ago, and supplies valuable information to its members to provide them with the tools they need to succeed. The website also provides a lot of information to the general public. You can find local events, member/farmer information, what crops are in season, and local Farmer Markets in your area.

You can also sign up to receive a free Minnesota Grown Directory that has all the information you need to find either fresh Honey, Fresh Meat or Christmas Trees from a farmer near you.

So next time you are in the mood to pick berries, or enjoy fresh wild rice, check out the Minnesota Grown website at www.minnesotagrown.com You can also find the best strawberry picking and fresh beef in Northern Minnesota at www.nelsonberries.com