https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/, https://linktr.ee/MeetTheMNMakers

Meet the Minnesota Makers, Eagan, MN (2025)

10/06/2025

Kalvin and Rachel fell in love with local food, and each other, while attending college at UW-Stevens Point. The thriving local farmers market scene and opportunities to volunteer provided real world inspiration of what smaller producers could do.

Rachel and Kalvin purchased Rachel’s grandparents’ farm when they moved back to Minnesota to establish Fiddlehead K**b Both originally from LeRoy, a town of approximately 900, coming home offered an opportunity to build their dream life within their community.

Both Kalvin and Rachel work full time on the farm, fulfilling a shared dream. “The idea for our farm was to build this around our family,” reflects Kalvin. “We’ve been building our lifestyle around our family and good food, local food. We’re kind of in awe every day that this is what we get to do as a family working together. It’s been hard sometimes, but building this business around our family is a total joy.”

“When you cultivate mushrooms inside, it is inherently not sustainable,” explains Kalvin. “You use lots of power. There are all sorts of filters and fans that run in addition to lighting the space.” The economic impact of installing solar changed their farm’s monthly expenses radically. “We used to have $800 electric bills each month. Thanks to our solar installation we now apply those financial resources to grow our business in other ways.”

Fiddlehead K**b Farm is a graduate of the 2024 . Established in 2022 by (Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA)) RBIL is a cohort-based, entrepreneurial program that reverses the narrative of rural decline.

RBIL’s support made it possible for their farm to finalize their business plan, secure funding for their grow room expansion, achieve organic certification and increase their sales goals. “If you put in the work with RBIL, your business will be on a path to success. We can’t give them enough praise for all they have done for our business.”

Visit fiddleheadknob.com for recipes, farmers market schedules and to place an order.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

This is post four of nine in this series. Tuesday brings the next local hero!

10/02/2025

What happens when two friends—one a shepherd frustrated by seeing sheared wool treated as a waste product and the other a teacher and librarian concerned by the decimation of the world’s peat bogs, a natural carbon sink—join forces?

Meet Elaine Becker and Karen Mayhew, co-founders of (wool + pellets), two creative problem solvers who converted a waste product into a valued commodity.

In its first year in operation, Woollets purchased 18,000 pounds of wool from local farmers. They won the 2024 Wisconsin Innovation Award for Agriculture for their contribution to their regional economy and long-range possibilities. Woollets make it financially-sustainable to raise sheep because they provide a real market for shepherds.

Wool provides nutrients and aerates the soil as plants get established. “It brings me joy knowing that we are doing something great for the environment with our product,” shares Elaine.

Woollets conducted trials on indoor and outdoor plants comparing their pellets to peat. Their experiment with a cactus is especially striking. In one year’s time, a cactus that had three pellets in its pot grew twice as big as the one without pellets. “Our product is a dream for anyone who tends to forget to water their house plants!” laughs Karen.

See the side by side comparison pic!

Woollets is a member of the 2025 cRural Business Innovation Labinnovationlab. EstablisheCEDA by , RBIL is a cohort-based, entrepreneurial program that reverses the narrative of rural decline. Working in MN, IA and WI, RBIL supports rural businesses in their growth to become sustainable drivers of economic health.

RBIL provides templates, one-on-one weekly meetings and access to specialists to provide the support that a start up needs. A few months into the program, Elaine and Karen feel confident that, “Applying for RBIL is one of the smartest choices we’ve made for our young business,” states Elaine.

Purchase woollets wool pellets at https://www.woollets.net/. Wool mulching fleece and shreds are also available.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

This is post three of nine in this series. Check back Monday for the next local hero!

09/30/2025

The Drager Family is always up for an adventure.

Their joy of gathering around good food inspired them to found The Meatery MN, now rebranded as MTRY & Co, LLC, in 2022.

The Drager Family is a multi-generational crew operating a livestock and crop farm that calls Minnesota Lake, MN home. Their experience with the meat packer shutdowns and grocery store shortages during the pandemic inspired them to directly connect consumers and producers.

The MTRY & CO online marketplace, based in Mankato, offers beef, chicken and pork specialty boxes along with cheese, spice rubs and bacon socks that are shipped directly from producer farms in sustainable packaging.

Colette Drager, one of 11 cofounders, shares, “All the people involved in the MTRY & Co bring me so much joy. Our family works so well together. I love getting to know the producers and our consumers and then connecting them.”

The MTRY & Co’s mission is simple, “It’s all about bringing the delicious world of small producers directly to you, making the farm-to-table experience accessible and delightful for everyone, and connecting an inspired community with access to top quality small producers,” explains Colette.

Every producer within the MTRY network is unique. These are family farms. Their stories are the cornerstone of the MTRY’s mission.

The MTRY & Co is a 2023 cohort graduate of the . Established in 2022 by Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA), RBIL is a cohort-based, entrepreneurial program that reverses the narrative of rural decline. Working in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, RBIL supports rural businesses in their growth to become sustainable drivers of economic health.

“I don’t think we realized that these connections, the people we’d get to meet, would be such a big part of starting a business,” reflects MacKenzie. “There are so many positive things about starting a business. We’re grateful that the resources from RBIL help us build a stronger base.”

Explore producer collections and sign up for the MTRY’s newsletter at https://mtryco.com.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

This is post two of nine in this series. Check back Thursday for the next local hero!

09/29/2025

CEDA and RBIL may be two of Minnesota’s best kept secrets.

Let’s change that.

CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) works in and for rural communities. As non-profit, CEDA provides economic development services to rural communities, counties and organizations throughout rural Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin.

Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) through programs like RBIL(Rural Business Innovation Lab), restores the idea that small towns are thriving economic engines.

Supporting entrepreneurship is a strategy for rural resilience. With the right support, rural business owners stay rooted in their communities while positively shaping the regional economy.

Cameron Payne and Joshua Schuetz, RBIL’s team leaders, empower rural entrepreneurs to thrive right in their own rural communities.

One of greatest strengths is its growing network. What began as a small pilot program has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem of partners, mentors, consultants, funders and alumni working to support rural entrepreneurs.

RBIL cohorts include businesses in agriculture, agricultural technology, clean energy, regenerative agriculture, agricultural technology, clean energy, food and beverage, education, government work, textiles, and more.

Now in its third cohort cycle (with applications for the fourth opening in Jan 2026), RBIL is a community where peers navigate challenges and celebrate triumphs together.

Wondering whether RBIL is a good fit for your business? They welcome applications from business owners located in rural areas who produce a scalable product or service.

How do the RBIL alums feel? Nick Revoir from Simple Cider Company shared after a coaching session, “Your push and motivation helped so much this week! You give me (and likely everyone else) so much energy to be rockstars (or evil knievels) on our businesses. There is no way I would have gotten close to this far without your help.”

Over the next three weeks, Meet the Minnesota Makers will share stories of eight cohort members in partnership with RBIL. Meet rural innovators and see how RBIL makes a difference.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

09/24/2025

Taste Makers hit the road!

Our first road trip-themed Taste Makers class this past Saturday was a tasty adventure.

Thank you to CannonBelles, Ferndale Market and Tilion Brewing Company, LLC for sharing your passion, your process, and your delicious products with our guests.

We talked local cheese, turkey and beer, snacked and sampled, shared recipes and celebrated the rich food hub of Cannon Falls.

This was our eighth Taste Makers class. Each and every class has had its own, well, flavor.

The people, the stories, what Chef Beth Fisher prepares with the ingredients on hand—each has been an experience to savor.

Being in the room as makers share their process, their products and their passion—what drives them—it’s a special space.

We’re working on a Warm and Cozy themed class for this November. I hope you’ll join us.

Registration is open now: https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-warm-cozy

Did I mention that cooks for you?

It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning (and makes a thoughtful experience gift!). Go behind the scenes of what it means to be part of Minnesota’s food system.

09/17/2025

Sandy soil.

This natural attribute of the Cannon Valley makes ideal terrain for raising turkeys on pasture.

For three generations the Peterson Family has raised turkeys in Cannon Falls. The family works with local independent processors to bring delicious and humane turkey to market. Since 2008, when John Peterson moved back to the farm and recognized the unique nature of their practices, Ferndale Market has been an independent brand selling their products directly to consumers in partnership with regional retail partners, local restaurants, and co-ops.

A visit to Ferndale Market’s on-farm store is a wonderland of locally-produced food from chocolate to marshmallows, soup mixes to jams, frozen strudel to maple syrup and, if you’re really lucky, turkey pot pies. It is Ferndale Market‘s mission to be a regional food space partner.

Sausages, snack sticks, smoked turkey legs, turkey stock and gravy await your kitchen or grill. The store carries more than 300 items from Minnesota plus a selection of cheese and cured meats from Iowa and Wisconsin.

Fern and Dale Peterson started raising free range turkeys in the rolling hills of the Cannon River Valley in 1939. Their turkeys have always been free range and antibiotic free. As trends in commercial turkey farming changed, Ferndale Farm didn’t.

Ferndale is a MN Farm to School partner with ground turkey and hot dogs being popular items for school menus. With founder Dale coming of age during the Great Depression, keeping their quality high and the price point accessible has always been a top priority.

Turkey that’s been raised outside moving its muscles has a richer flavor than conventional birds. It’s a lean and healthy protein that can be the center of your plate well beyond Thanksgiving and its coveted leftovers.

Ferndale Market is one of three makers presenting at the September 20 Taste Makers Class at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Sample their new collaboration with CannonBelles Cheese and taste turkey like you’ve never enjoyed it before. Register through the Arboretum website https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-cannon-falls

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

09/15/2025

Forget debating whether Minnesota or Wisconsin has the most lakes.

It’s time to dig in on a cheese competition.

CannonBelles in Cannon Falls produces hyperlocal cheese using milk from the Square Deal Dairy, located five miles from their plant.

CannonBelles Cheese award-winning cheese curds were the top scoring cheese entry in the MN State Dairy 2025 cheese competition. Their Gouda took third place in its category. Their Grim Reaper Cheddar took State Fair honors in 2024.

With all these awards under their belt, Kathy Hupf’s greatest joy comes through the Farm to School program. “The schools that we work with will oftentimes invite us to join them for lunch on the day that they’re serving our cheese. It’s just really, really rewarding. It’s the connection that we make with the families and knowing that so many children are getting a good product.”

With the surprise triumph of their queso fresco in its first international competition in 2017, the Belles had their foot in the door to start selling their cheese.

Since 2022, all these cheeses come to life at their Cannon Falls plant. They produce 800-1000 pounds of cheese a week, using milk from the fifth generation Otte Family’s Square Deal Dairy in nearby Randolph.

CannonBelles also serve fresh sandwiches, coffee, and ice cream at their downtown Cannon Falls shop.

When you enjoy CannonBelles cheese know that Deeann, Kathy and Jackie treat every batch with great care. It’s truly a Minnesota flavor that makes a wonderful locally-made gift that is always the right size.

CannonBelles Cheese is available in over 100 locations around MN. Visit www.cannonbelles.com to find all of their locations.

CannonBelles is one of three makers presenting at the Sep 20 Taste Makers Class at the MN Landscape Arboretum. Sample their new collaboration with Ferndale Market, go behind the scenes and taste their award-winning cheese. Register through the Arboretum website (https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-cannon-falls).

https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-cannon-falls

Explore more of their journey:
https://cannonbelles.com/cheese

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

09/12/2025

Want to eat well?

Eat local.

HOMEGROWN Concessions

A cornerstone of Farm Aid’s concert experience.

Food and beverage served on site is sourced from farms and producers near the concert venue.

Meet five of your locally-grown producers whose food will be at the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid in Minneapolis.

🍻Broken Clock Brewing—Minneapolis

The only member-owned cooperative brewery in Minnesota!

The Fam is now available on tap and to go at their taproom. Brewed specifically for Farm Aid, this clean and crisp beer makes family-farm grown hops and malt shine.

💛Hazel Heart Farms—Viroqua, WI

A collective of Midwest farmers growing really good hazelnuts.  Hazelnuts have grown wild across the Midwest for thousands of years. They’re tapping into nature to feed our communities a rich, local source of protein, nutrients, fiber and heart-healthy fats.

🥩MTRY & Co—Mankato

Trusted farmers and skilled butchers come together to deliver chef-worthy proteins.
Founded a Minnesota farm-rooted family, MTRY grew from a simple idea around the table: to share the meats raised on farm heritage and crafted with care for tables everywhere, building an online marketplace where consumers shop directly from producers we know and trust.

🐄Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed—Becker

What began as a passion to simply share the nutritional benefits of Lifetime Grazed 100% Grass Fed Beef with more people has evolved into a full embrace of regenerative agriculture—with its many critical benefits to people and planet.

🌽Whole Grain Milling—Welcome

Organic oats, buckwheat, white and yellow popcorn, spelt, barley and rye since 1989. Their organic tortilla chips are from corn grown on three farms in southern Minnesota. The processing plant is located about six miles from where the corn is grown and cleaned.

Thank you to Chris, Megan, C.C., Kate and the Minnesota Live crew for sharing your space to bring these Minnesota Maker stories to your viewers. Starting my morning with you all was a highlight this week.

Find these makers at your local co-ops, food stores, and through their websites.

Watch the segment at https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnedota-live/farm-aid

09/05/2025

Bold Flavors.

Inspiring Voices.

Making Local Creatives’ Dreams a Reality.

DameIt! Women Makers Market is a festival & fundraiser for Les Dames MN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides scholarships and grants to women in the food, beverage & hospitality industries.

Help Les Dames d'Escoffier Minnesota raise funds for their next round of scholarships.

Take advantage of the most delicious bake sale you’ll find anywhere!

Explore the culinary rummage sale—incredible finds donated by chefs and cooking pros.

Try your luck at the raffle. Raffle bundles are stacked with local love—think gift cards to top Twin Cities restaurants, cookbooks from hometown authors, a cheese party in a box, and plenty more surprises. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

Explore, taste, and be inspired by a vibrant showcase of local women revolutionizing food and agriculture at the Women Makers Market! Featuring & Wooden Ship Brewing.

Admission and parking are free!

Saturday, September 20
11am - 4pm
2321 Wycliff St. St Paul, MN 55114

As a past recipient of a microgrant (which I used to offset some of the cost of upgrading the Meet the Minnesota Makers website for the updated gift guide format), I am grateful for the outreach work that Les Dames MN provides. This fundraiser is a fun and tasty way to get involved and give back to our Minnesota Makers.

Search “Dame It! Women Makers Market & Fundraiser” on EventBrite to claim your free ticket!

07/30/2025

A tasty morning with Chris and Ken on Minnesota Live! We talked uniquely Minnesotan meat, heat, and flavor combos.

Elevate your grilling game with:

Gardner Family Farm —Ellen and Jim produce pasture-raised chickens, eggs, lamb and turkey.

Find them at the NE Mpls, Rochester, and Winona Farmers Markets. Consider a CSA of their pastured-raised meats. Shipping available!

Highlight—turkey wings and chicken leg quarters —two under appreciated grilling cuts. Love Chris and Ken’s enthusiasm for digging into the barbecued wings on air.

Hart Country Meats —Jessica and Tony take a hands-on, soil-to-steak approach to beef. High-quality, nutrient-dense beef raised with integrity, transparency, and a whole lot of heart.

On-farm pickup or shipping with

Hart Country Meats produces the official hot dog of the Rochester Honkers baseball team. Find their burgers, brats, and brisket at the stadium.

Recipe for the flat iron steak bites on meettheminnesotamakers.com.

Northland Vinegars —Alex of Minneapolis is a middle school geography teachers and a kitchen tinkerer.

These small batch vinegars use MN craft beverages for distinctive flavor profiles. Try them in a mocktail (like cherry bourbon vinegar, soda water, and simple syrup).

Find at Surdky’s, , or NE Mpls and Eagan Farmers Markets.

Baptism River Barbecue Co. —Kaylee and Dan create Northwoods Barbecue. Dedicated to local sourcing, Baptism River feeds the North Shore summer weekends from their food trailer.

West Branch Sauce and the Fries, Wings, and Things rub for the turkey wings. The Two Steps Beef Rub finished the Hart Country Meats appetizer.

Facepunch Foods —Mark Petersen of Stillwater fell in love with heat when he was six. Mark’s been known to travel internationally with hot sauce in tow—great conversation starter.

Facepunch rubs bring smokiness with Hatch Chili Powder. The Six Pepper and Spicy Dill blends are pure spice—no sugar, no fillers.

Find Facepunch Six Pepper Pretzel Balls at the MN State Fair Bandstand Concessions. Find in store at Fresh Thyme.

Join in on the fun: https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnesota-live/elevate-your-grilling-game/

07/16/2025

A fun first for Meet the Minnesota Makers!

We were delighted to be a sponsor at Renewing the Countryside’s Summer FUNdraiser this June.

Renewing the Countryside is some of the best of the best when it comes to building community, lifting up small producers, and encouraging local food and food producers.

Through Local Feast! and their outreach work at the MN State Fair, I have learned so much about their work to improve our regional food system. Every time I attend an event, I discover new local food innovators.

Renewing the Countryside is on a mission to strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and other people who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects.

Their work includes: field days

*coordinating volunteer labor

*creating food hubs

*providing support for farm transitions

*training underrepresented farmers

*offering support for sustainable practices

*connecting local produce into schools

*engaging women in conservation

*giving access to technical support

*facilitating thoughtful investment in farming and food

They also partner with a variety of organizations to increase their reach and support of our regional food system.

Thank you Elena Gutierrez Byrnelena Gutierrez Byrne for introducing me to Renewing the FEAST Local Foods Network Local Foods Network You were absolutely right that I would be interested in the work that you do.

Meet the Minnesota Makers is an enthusiastic supporter of Renewing the Countryside and Local Feast! (watch for the newest edition of their magazine coming later this summer). We’ll be volunteering this August at their State Fair booth and look forward to this fall’s Feast! event in Rochester on Saturday, November 1.

Registration is now open for sampling through their State Fair Booth in the Eco Experience Building or to be a vendor at November’s Feast! event. Comment State Fair or Feast! below and I’ll send you a direct link to sign up for the events.

Eat well. Eat local!

(Pictured plate is full of goodness from Gardens of Salonica who catered the RTC FUNdraiser)

07/10/2025

A little bit of magic…

That’s what it felt like to visit Bucheron for the June Women Who Really Cook meeting.

In the midst of their James Beard award winning whirlwind, Jeanie and the rest of the Bûcheron team welcomed Women Who Really Cook (including several of our inaugural Sue Zelickson scholarship winners) to their oasis.

This team exudes hope and determination. The story of how the restaurant came to life in our own Minneapolis is a beautiful one. It’s a testament to the importance of local farms and knowing where your food comes from. It’s built from international experience and the centering power of home. It’s a commitment to hospitality in every sense of the word. I left the meeting excited about how the Bûcheron team will continue to advocate for local food and intentional dining from their wonderful corner of the world.

Women Who Really Cook is a networking organization for women who are in the food business in the Twin Cities area and greater Minnesota. Monthly meetings are held in-person and virtually at various locations where members work to share successes, ideas, dreams, desires, products and possibilities in the food world.

The mission of Women Who Really Cook is to provide our members with hospitality and food industry information, resources and on-going promotional opportunities that will help them in reaching their personal and professional goals. It’s a powerful network for those seeking jobs in the food and hospitality industry or for employers seeking talented additions to their staffs.

I’m proud to be a board member of this forward-thinking organization. In my current role, I work directly with our scholarship students to build bridges with mentors to contribute to their success beyond our financial contributions. Wonder if Women Who Really Cook is a good fit for your goals? Comment “Cook” below or send me a DM to learn more.

Congratulations to Bûcheron and here’s to the power of local food!

Meet the Minnesota Makers

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