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IS SANTA VISITING YOUR FARM?
Please let us know when Santa will be at your farm! We will promote this as a single event, with multiple connected members on our calendar. The event will also appear on our homepage and your detailed page. Please email Jessica the dates, times and photos for your Santa event!
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2017 RENEWAL UPDATES
By now, everyone should have received their renewal information in the mail. If you have not, please
email Jessica your name &/or business name.
Your renewal will have your 2016 information, your license number and your unique renewal pin. You can use this pin to renew your license and listing online here. If you are renewing by mail, please write any edits, updates or changes directly onto page 3 and/or 5 of the application.
This year we are offering
fun incentives to renew your license and Directory listing early. The earlier you renew, the more opportunities you have to win! The first drawing will be Nov 30th and the second Drawing will be Dec 15th. If you have your information in by Nov 30th, you will be entered in both drawings.
Click here to see the prizes.
We have a lot of changes, including index categories and new regions.
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NEW TAX DEDUCTION FOR GROWERS
From Heidie Coe, Second Harvest Heartland
The federal food donation tax deduction was expanded at the end of 2015 and now includes new provisions benefiting cash basis growers/donors beginning in 2016. This marks
the first time the deduction has been available for all donors large or small, with provisions allowing cash basis growers/donors to take the deduction.
Whether you are a new donor or an existing one, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of the new law and claim
deductions for donated produce that, for cash basis companies, you did not have before. This applies to those growers who have donated through the Farm to Food shelf grant as well.
We greatly appreciate your commitment to
nourishing communities in need. Our mission to feed the food insecure in Minnesota and beyond cannot be accomplished without your help.
If you would like to learn more about donating produce through the six Feeding America food banks serving Minnesota, or if you need receipts for previous donations, please call
(877) 547-0245,
email or
visit here.
Feeding America food banks cannot give tax advice. Our purpose is to make sure you are aware of the new law and give you an idea of the advantages that it offers to you. Please take the attached flyer to your accountant.
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OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN'T MISS
-
Transitioning to Organic Workshops - Register by Nov 22
. These FREE, one-day workshops are for both producers who are seeking more information about organic transitioning and certification, and farmers currently going through the process of transitioning to organic production. These workshops will be primarily directed to field crop producers, but all are welcome.
Dates and Locations: Mon, Dec 5
: Lamberton; Tue, Dec 6
: St. Cloud; Wed, Dec 7
: Rochester. An agenda and list of workshop topics and speakers is available for download.
Space is limited for these workshops. Registration is required by
November 22
. R
egister by clicking here.
- New Farmer Training Projects - Dec 8th deadline. USDA announced the availability of over $17 million in grant funds that will be invested into organizations to help launch new and expand existing programs to train beginning farmers. Click here to learn more.
- Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Projects - December 13th deadline. The program funds projects that demonstrate farming methods or systems that increase energy efficiency, reduce agricultural chemical usage, and show economic and environmental benefits. Click here for more details.
- At Large Position open on Minnesota Grown Advisory Committee - Respond by Jan 13th.
The Minnesota Grown Program has always valued input from members. One way we gather input is through our Advisory Committee. This committee consists of representatives from 13 producer associations and 5 at-large representatives. An at-large position was recently vacated and will be filled in late January. The role of the advisory committee is to provide feedback and suggestions to the Minnesota Grown Program staff. The committee meets four times per year. Interested members should email Paul for more information or to be considered.
- PoP Grant for Farmers Markets - Dec 30th Deadline. The Power of Produce (PoP) Club is a farmers market incentive program for children. This grant is intended to provide markets or partnering organizations with the resources, funds and technical assistance to implement the PoP Club at their respective market. Click here for more details and to apply.
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HELP GROW OUR PROGRAM
Not only is it time to renew your license, but it's the perfect time for new members to join our program. Don't keep us a secret! This year, more than ever, we need your help. Please share the Minnesota Grown Program's benefits through your networks. We can help provide language, flyers and more. Staff time is also available to attend market vendor meetings, networking events, conferences and association meetings. If you are attending something where other farmers will be-please bring a few Minnesota Grown brochures with you! Just
email Jessica to request brochures/applications.
Click the button below for a sample article that can be emailed to your network or published in association newsletters.
You may also share
this webpage on your Facebook and other social network accounts.
Thank you for your help in spreading the word!
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Please read this email each month. This is the primary way we communicate with you. We use this newsletter to let you know about new promotional items, changes to the website or Directory, and other opportunities for you.
Next month you will notice a slight change in the look and the "from" address of our newsletter. You will also no longer be able to hit "reply" to email us. You will see plenty of links throughout the newsletter and also by clicking on the Contact Us button below. Depending on your email provider and filters, you may find it in a different folder. If this is so, you should be able to "trust sender" and alter its location.
The new sender will be: MinnesotaGrown@public.govdelivery.com
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