Meet the Minnesota Makers, Eagan, MN (2026)

09/10/2026

Lucky number 13!

We just held our 13th Taste Makers Class at the MN Landscape Arboretum.

Many thanks and appreciation for sharing their expertise to Chef Fisher , Chef Cheo, lutunjispalate , MTRY & CO, and Sturdiwheat Foods Incorporated .

During the class attendees sampled a bacon flight from the new Orly’s Farm branch of the MTRY, tried vegan desserts from Lutunji’s Palate, and discussed Kernza’s flavor profile with Sturdiwheat.

Class highlights included:

*The MTRY & CO’s motivation to collaborate with family farms throughout Minnesota to bolster our local food system. Also, the role of good natured family competition to pursue excellence in their meat products.

*Discussing how Sturdiwheat used their position as a heritage brand (over 80 years in Minnesota!) as a strength to pivot and become a pioneer of the Perennial Percent Program with their incorporation of the perennial wheatgrass Kernza in their pancake mixes.

*How peach cobbler has literally opened doors and shaped a business for Lutunji’s Palate. Lutunji’s story is a testament to the simple power of saying yes.

*Chefs Beth and Cheo’s use of the locally-produced ingredients to create State Fair inspired bites for our MN Landscape Arboretum guests.

Our Taste Makers classes are a unique environment where makers have time to share their story and mission while class attendees learn through samples and open time for questions. Each class has its own personality. Each one bring something new, quite literally, to the table.

Thank you to the MN Landscape Arboretum volunteers. I’m so grateful for our repeat crew members who help the class flow for both the makers and the class guests.

These are some of my favorite events each year. We’ll be planning the 2027 classes soon. What makers would you like to meet at the Farm at the Arb?

09/02/2026

Here’s TEN Minnesota Makers to find at the MN State Fair:

1. The Bee Shed in the Horticulture Building with their seasonal honey varietals for sale. The Bee Shed

2. Cool Trash in the Eco Experience Building on Wednesday, September 2 (TODAY!) talking about the power of plastics Cool Trash

3. Hazel Heart Farms in the Horticulture Building at the Forever Green Booth (find Michelle there on Wednesday the 2nd from 12pm-3pm to talk about local businesses using cover crops with delicious results) Hazel Heart Farms l

4. Catch Chef Mimi at the Renewing the Countryside Demo Stage on Friday, September 4 mimis cookingclass

5. Pick up Nashke Native Games at the Native Roots Trading Post in the West End Market Nashke Games

6. Stop by the second level of the Grandstand to find Sebesta Apothecary as part of the Grandma Skills booth Sebesta Apothecary

7. Sample P&TY granola on Saturday the 5th from 11-5 at the Eco Experience Building with Renewing the Countryside P&TY Granola Co. - Gluten & Dairy Free Granola Bars

8. Find Gray Duck Candle Company at the west entrance of the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum for odor-neutralizing candles Gray Duck Candle Company

9. Shop Good Graces prints and art books at the West End Market Good Graces Paper Co.

10. Spice up your life with SNS BBQ at Beissengers ACE Hardware Grilling Area on Machinery Hill. Saints And Sinners BBQ

These ten Minnesota Makers from the “Shop Minnesota” guide are sharing their products and spending their days at the Great Minnesota Get Together!

Swipe through for our quick guide for where you can find these featured makers at the fair.

Beyond the viral food lists, the fair is the place to discover all the creative Minnesotans who make our state an amazing place to be.

We’re proud to have these makers as part of our “Shop Minnesota” guide. We’re excited to have you stop by in person to sample and see their products and meet them in person.

Read more about their products and stories at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/meet-the-makers-at-the-2026-minnesota-state-fair/

See you at the Fair!

08/27/2026

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always the right time to shop local at Meet the Minnesota Makers. Our Shop Local series introduces the real makers, growers and doers from our “Shop Minnesota” guide and makers directory.

These are just some of the small business owners who make Minnesota an amazing place to be.

🥓Who: The Drager Family—founders of MTRY & Co and Orly’s Farm

💙Where: Mankato, MN

🐄What: Family-led business connecting family farms directly with consumers across the country for beef, pork, poultry, and cheese

*A competitive family, at least in the kitchen and over the grill, whose pursuit of excellence drove them to develop their own line of craft, small batch bacon

*An innovative business model that preserves the identity of individual family farms under an umbrella that helps everyone involved increase their visibility

*Meat and cheese raised and processed in a way that supports our local rural economy

*Freezer staples, corporate gifting, special treats, and lots of snack sticks (perfect for back to school!)

🐷How You Get Involved: Come learn about the MTRY’s local roots and farming philosophy this Saturday at the Farm at the Arb for our State Fair themed Taste Makers class https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-fair

*View their website for product listings and to meet their farm partners https://mtryco.com/

*Visit https://orlysfarm.com to discover what makes their bacon the main event, not a side dish.

*Follow MTRY & CO.

*Learn more about how this family-led business realized its mission of supporting other family farms at: https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/meet-your-local-meat-mtry-co-delivers-community-for-consumers-and-producers/

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow Meet the Minnesota Makers to discover small business owners building community through their everyday missions.

💚Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.

08/26/2026

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always the right time to shop local at Meet the Minnesota Makers. Our Shop Local series introduces the real makers, growers and doers from our “Shop Minnesota” guide and makers directory.

These are just some of the small business owners who make Minnesota an amazing place to be.

💙Who: Missi Blue of Sturdiwheat

🏞️Where: Red Wing, MN

🌾What: Heritage business with a mission to improve soil and water sustainability while producing clean, simple bread, dessert and cake mixes

*A pioneer for the Perennial Percent program as they incorporate 1% Kernza grain across their pancake mixes (Kernza is a perennial wheatgrass with a 12 foot root system that reduces soil erosion and improves water quality through its root filtering superpowers)

*A Minnesota business that’s been based in downtown Red Wing for more than 80 years. Currently led by a mother daughter team.

*Gluten free mixes that don’t feel like anything is missing

*Many mixes only need water to create fresh, flavorful breads, pancakes, and desserts—get everyone involved in the kitchen creations!

🥞How You Get Involved: Come learn about Sturdiwheat’s commitment to water quality and tasty products this Saturday at the Farm at the Arb for our State Fair themed Taste Makers class https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-fair

*View their website for product listings and retail partners (or to place an order yourself) https://www.sturdiwheat.com/

*Visit kernza.org to learn about this intermediate wheatgrass that’s changing waterways one field at a time.

*Follow Sturdiwheat Foods

*Learn more about the modern steps this heritage company chooses each day: https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/simple-clean-and-local-sturdiwheat-mixes-keep-it-simple/

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow Meet the Minnesota Makers to discover small business owners building community through their everyday missions.

💚Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.

08/25/2026

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always the right time to shop local at Meet the Minnesota Makers. Our Shop Local series introduces the real makers, growers and doers from our “Shop Minnesota” guide and makers directory.

These are just some of the small business owners who make Minnesota an amazing place to be.

🧊Who: Andrew Kasun of Leo’s Pops

💙Where: Eagan, MN

💕What: Mission-drive business concocting fruit-forward frozen treats with a distinctive crunch core

*A father connecting with his son over taste and texture. Leo, the company’s namesake, navigates the world on the autism spectrum and firm and crunchy foods are on his yes list.

*Made their debut at Eagan’s MarketFest winning over “popsicle fans” with their real fruit and juice bars that mix flavors and textures without artificial dyes or additives

*Current cottage food business driven by a mission of inclusivity, love, and support for Leo and the broader special needs community.

*A way for Leo to gain real-world work experience while establishing a support system for after Leo has graduated from his supportive school community

😋How You Get Involved: Visit Leo’s Pops Wednesday, August 26 at the their final Eagan MarketFest appearance of the year

*View the current menu at leos-pops.square.site

*Leo’s Pops would love to be a part of special events whether a family reunion or a corporate team building. Special orders will be available so that fans can still get their Island Zing or Summer Dreamin’ fix all year long. Simply email mailto:[email protected] to check availability or place an order.

*Follow on Facebook Leo's Pops

*Learn more about the Kasun Family’s vision for growing Leo’s Pops after their initial market debut at: https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/frozen-family-project-eagans-leos-pops-are-packed-with-possibility/

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow Meet the Minnesota Makers to discover small business owners building community through their everyday missions.

Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.

08/22/2026

Celebrate our local flavors and flair by supporting local artists, artisans, farmers, and food and beverage producers. There are so many festivals and fairs throughout the state to enjoy!

Find the makers from our gift guide and maker features across the state this weekend. Visit our gift guide to find out where your favorite makers will be.

Farmers markets, of course, are a win right now. We’re in prime summer abundance. Stop by before you hit the grocery store to get some seasonal inspiration for your table. Bonus points if you bring your own bag or basket (it makes the hauling easier, saves resources, and looks chic too).

Thank you for looking locally.

What event is on your calendar this weekend? Tag it in the comments so we can add it to our list.

P.S. Did you spot our new logo? We’re excited to share more about that with you soon.

08/18/2026

I can’t stop thinking about Stephanie March — specifically her “Which Came First” column in the July 2026 issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine .

The article doesn’t appear to be online. You’ll have to check your eye doctor’s waiting area or the magazine rack where you get your hair cut if you pass through periodicals in a more timely fashion than I do.

In this installment of her regular column in the magazine March addresses the thorny issue of pricing. She refers to a pair of NYC chicken dishes that top $70 and $80 on their menus. These articles kicked off a debate “about why a chicken could, in fact, cost so much: sourcing good birds, the costs of paying a living wage, tariffs, inflation, rising rents, gentrification, balancing lost bar costs, the insane hunger for protein, all the things.”

March’s article sets off alarm bells about the precarious position of those in the middle as we settle into a K-shaped economy.

The middle is where many of our makers, growers, artists, producers, and innovators live. The squeeze of their bottom line, their narrow margins, and the challenge to compete against the sprawling behemoth promising same day delivery has consequences.

There’s a conversation to be had about the actual cost of non-subsidized food grown by people in a real farm.

There’s a conversation to be had about the pressures small businesses balance to keep their account sheets in the black.

There’s a conversation to be had about the notion that you can find “it” cheaper on line.

The middle is a place of ingenuity. It’s a space of neighborhood restaurants, the cottage baker you call for your kids’ birthdays, the artist you look for each summer at the fair to stock up on greeting cards.

As March states in this article, “Costs matter no matter what shape the economy takes.” Your small business colleagues feel this squeeze. It drives them as they wear all the hats from chief marketing officer to customer support to make their business move forward.

Maintaining the middle is a group effort. This is why I keep bringing the spotlight to our state’s makers, growers, and doers.

I hope you’ll be there too.

08/16/2026

We cordially invite you to join us at the Taste Makers Fair Faire at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Saturday, August 29 from 10am-12:30pm.

Gather around to hear the makers’ stories, ask them your questions, and taste the results of their creative culinary delights.

Lutunji’s Palate from Minneapolis, MTRY & Co from Mankato and Red Wing’s own Sturdiwheat will gather together for one morning only to share their stories.

This is the 12th class that Beth Fisher and Michelle Sharp have dreamed up to celebrate our local bites and sips and the people who make them possible. Each class literally has its own flavor. Whether this is your first class or your twelfth, you’ll learn something new and maybe find a new favorite dish to make at home.

We’ll do our best to fill your cup. This is a unique way to gather in community. Invite a friend, spend a morning with us, and learn more about our regional food system.

Registration includes daily admission to the arboretum and a chance to explore the Farm at the Arb and the gorgeous demo kitchen.

Register through the Arboretum’s website: https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-fair

It will definitely be chic!

08/11/2026

Thank you to KSTP’s Minnesota Live for inviting me to share a State Fair preview of a few local makers and growers you’ll find at the Fair.

Chris was happy to discover that Nashke Native Games, a past show guest, will be a part of the Indigenous People’s celebration on August 30.

Elizabeth was already a fan of Sebesta Apothecary’s soaps and Chris learned about the luxury of their wet shave.

We highlighted four unique corners to explore at the Minnesota State Fair .

A few highlights from the segment:

Elizabeth’s observation that Nashke Games brings a new dimension by serving as “a beautiful reminder of a joyful people” with what you’ll experience at Dan Patch Park and take home from Native Roots Trading Post in the West End.

Chris discovered the healing power of magnesium, available in a topical spray from Sebesta Apothecary who will be in the Grandstand as part of a collective of woman-owned businesses organized by Grandma Skills.

Celebrating the Clear Water text that brings Good Graces Paper Co. social justice exhibit to life in your hands. Find Melanie’s common ground art informed by her background in advertising to get us talking. Shop in the West End.

Sharing about the 20 year history of Renewing the Countryside the Countryside’s interactive exhibits in the EcoExperience building. This year’s exhibit highlights the beneficial relationships possible with Bird Friendly Farming. This Minnesota non-profit brings together chef demos, volunteer-led exhibit challenges, and daily sustainability-focused product sampling to bring the topic to life.

Sampling fresh mozzarella marinated in SmudeOil Tomato Basil sunflower seed oil. With their cold extraction process, this seed oil is a heart healthy diet swap recommended by St Cloud’s Hospital for its cardiovascular patients.

Watch the full segment and plan your fair stops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTMDv3lhsC8

Our makers’ stories, commitment to excellence, and unique approaches deserve to be shared. I’m grateful to Minnesota Live and their engaged audience for supporting our local businesses.

Meet the Minnesota Makers

09/10/2026

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08/27/2026

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

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08/11/2026

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