Meet the Minnesota Makers

06/18/2026

Great opportunity!

FEAST! VENDOR MEETING 7/30

This is an invitation to food and beverage producers and direct-to-consumer farms in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin!

If you or another food/bev/ag founder you know is interested in joining FEAST! Marketplace this Nov, we’re having a Vendor Info Meeting on July 30 at 1PM (link below).

Already registered?

You’ll get to meet some of the FEAST! Local Foods Network and learn how they can support your business, plus get an overview of the upcoming festival. We’re here to provide resources and answer any questions.

Registration to exhibit is open!

https://www.local-feast.org/registration

06/18/2026

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: Tasya Kelen of Isadore Nut Co

Where: Maplewood, MN

What: Producer of delectable nut mixes with bright flavor profiles that are dairy free and non-GMO

*Employer of people of all abilities addressing the employment crisis within the disability community

*Curator of gift boxes, corporate gifting solutions, and real food snacks that recipients will savor

*Leader of a social enterprise, mission-driven business choosing sustainable sourcing, fair trade, and short ingredient lists to make good-for-you snacks that make the world a little more fair

*Supporter of Moms Demand Action working to end gun violence in her global community

How You Get Involved: Visit Isadore Nut Co at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival in the Culinary Arts area this Saturday and Sunday

*Try a bag of the National Good Food Foundation award-winning Lemon Rosemary Mix

*Explore all the flavor profiles at www.isadorenutco.com

*Look for Isadore Nut Co snacks at the Minneapolis Four Seasons hotel

*Learn about Isadore Nut Co’s sustainable journey at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/snacking-with-a-purpose-isadore-nut-companys-path-to-sustainability/

*Follow Isadore Nut Company for upcoming events and new gift boxes

*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.

06/05/2026

Local Vibes Only: Shop Minnesota All Summer Long

The Meet the Minnesota Makers “Shop Minnesota” gift guide has fresh updates for all the dads, grads, newlyweds, and summer birthdays on your list.

Visit our curated list of Minnesota small businesses. These businesses are all based in Minnesota. When you support one of these businesses, you uplift of web of local entrepreneurs.

Swipe through for a preview of fresh local finds for spring. Choose among experience gifts, yummy treats, little luxuries, and the wonders of Minnesota summer goodness.

Explore the full guide at meettheminnesotamakers.com. Search by category or the type of business you want to support.

Share the news with a friend. Drop a hint for a loved one. Save a list of your favorite makers on our website to customize a gift list.

Newsletter subscribers have access to exclusive discount codes for these summer treats. Sign up at http://meettheminnesotamakers.com or comment gift guide below and we’ll add you to the list.

Already on the MTMM newsletter list? Check your inbox—discount codes will be waiting for you first thing Friday morning .

Follow along Meet the Minnesota Makers for more local suggestions for Father’s Day and all year long.

06/03/2026

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always time to look locally 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: Jenna Gorman of the Land of 10,000 Recipes

💕Where: Eagan, MN

🥣What: Recipe blogger, Twin Cities Live Guest Chef, Instructional Cooking Video Creator

*Former General Mills food chemist and high school chemistry teacher who makes cooking fun for families of all ages and stages

*Candid content about balancing real life and all its (mis)adventures with her husband and two active boys

*Regular guest chef demonstrating recipes on Twin Cities Live with fun-to-eat and easy-to-prepare dishes that won’t leave you slowly stirring over the stove

*Dedicated supporter and fundraiser of Children’s Hospital, community volunteer, and avid traveler

🍳How You Get Involved: Visit landof10000recipes.com for meal time inspiration such as Jenna’s clever Sweet Potato Toast to mix up your breakfast routine or summer-friendly crock pot options like Greek Chicken Bowls

*Follow Land of 10,000 Recipes for sideline snacks, what’s waiting in her freezer, or her favorite Twin Cities restaurants

*Read Jenna’s story at meettheminnesotamakers.com/land-of-10000-recipes-cooking-for-the-whole-family

*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.

05/25/2026

and the The Okee Dokee Brothers know how to throw a party!

The inaugural Jamboree held at the Ski Area was a day packed full of art, discovery, exploration, and great music.

Meticulous planning meant that there truly was something for attendees of all ages.

Our group especially enjoyed the hilltop wind chime trail, the food trucks ranging from boba tea and momos to ice cream and Thai bowls, and exploring the displays from the diverse community groups and local vendors.

Above all, it was a day to celebrate great toe-tapping, circle-jumping, arm-waving music with 1700 of our closest friends.

The venue made for great viewing. There wasn’t a bad seat to be had on the hill.

This was a thoughtful event that celebrates the act of neighboring and the goodness of simply gathering together in shared experience.

Kudos to the many people who worked to make the possible.

We can’t wait until next year.

05/20/2026

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always shop local month 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: Kelli and Paul Kaufer of Smith + Trade Mercantile

💙Where: Crosby, Red Wing, and Stillwater, MN

💚What: Artisan shop, In-person classes, Artisanal demos

*Main Street stores offering an immersive shopping experience of one-of-a-kind goods

*Shop local is the entire store mission with 100% of the products being locally made and much of the store decor being upcycled items that Kelli and Paul DIYed

*Three stores showcasing local talent that enriches each community

*Partnerships with artisans at all stages, collaborations with Pathways (Stillwater High School), and a new outdoor market in Stillwater

💙How You Get Involved: Visit smithandtrade.com for store locations, hours, and opportunities to connect with the artists and artisans.

* “Meet at the Merc” this Memorial Day weekend or make a plan to visit their store for a day trip (or a longer stay)

*Read the in store placards to learn about the dozens of makers whose products shape the space with unique personal touches.

*Follow Follow Smith + Trade Mercantile (Stillwater Location) , (Crosby Location) (Red Wing Location) to be the first to know what’s new in store.

*Sign up for an artist-led class to try something new.

*Learn about Kelli and Paul’s mission at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/smithtrade-mercantile-a-fresh-celebration-of-minnesota-local-artisans

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow 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.

We are Minnesota strong.

05/18/2026

The Great Big Jamboree debuts this weekend!

Get your tickets at thegreatbigjamboree.com!

The Great Big Jamboree is a full, flexible, joy-filled day for families. Come for a few hours or stay all day.

Enjoy a full line up of musical artists, art experiences, open space for play (or rest), and hands-on activities for all.

Designed for kids and grown-ups alike, it’s a day of music, creativity, and connection.

Music starts this Saturday at 10am. Hope to see you there!

05/18/2026

Minnesota is full of incredibly talented makers, growers, and creators - and honestly? They deserve a spot at the top of every gift list. 🧡

We're big believers in shopping local, and we're so grateful to be part of a community of MN makers who put so much heart into what they make. When you shop local, you're not just buying a gift - you're supporting a real person, a small business, and a community.

That's why we love the Shop Minnesota Gift Guide. It makes it SO easy to find and shop unique, meaningful gifts from Minnesota-based businesses - all in one place, online. From food & beverage to handmade goods to one-of-a-kind experiences, there's something for everyone.

👉 Explore the full guide: meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift

Shop small. Shop MN. Give something with a story behind it. 💙

05/11/2026

The Great Big Jamboree Debuts May 23 with a Full Day of Family-Friendly Music

Something fun has been in the works that’s the perfect reason to gather, enjoy our Minnesota neighbors, and relish in some really great music.

The Great Big Jamboree is launching its very first year - and you’re invited!

Created in collaboration with the The Okee Dokee Brothers (one of our family’s absolute favorite singing duo), this new family music and arts festival brings live music, creativity, and outdoor fun together at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington on May 23rd!

This is an event for family’s of all ages and stages. A lineup of food trucks will be serving up kid-friendly favorites and grown-up fare, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to keep everyone fueled for the day.

The lineup features The Okee Dokee Brothers, Koo Koo, Sonia De Los Santos, Chastity Brown, and jeremy messersmith. Designed for kids and grown-ups alike, it’s a full day of music, creativity, and connection in a beautiful outdoor setting.

In addition to live music, families can enjoy interactive art experiences, artist vendors selling their work, community partners hosting hands-on activities, and plenty of open space for play and rest. The festival is intentionally designed to balance high-energy fun with calmer moments, including a dedicated listening and play area for kids.

Get your tickets now at http://thegreatbigjamboree.com!

The Great Big Jamboree is designed as a full, flexible, joy-filled day for families. Come for a few hours or stay all day. There’s no wrong way to Jamboree!

I’ll be there with my kiddos soaking in the local flavors, activities, sounds and (hopefully) sunshine. Join us there!

P.S. Buying your tickets in advance saves you money and helps the event organizers plan. This would be a great late Mother’s Day or early Father’s Day gift too.

05/08/2026

Thank you to KSTP’s Minnesota Live for inviting me to share about the Meet the Minnesota Makers “Shop Minnesota” guide for some Mother’s Day (and road trip) inspiration.

Megan and I agreed that finding experience gifts are one of the best ways to celebrate any holiday.

Chris appreciated that we focused on multigenerational family-owned businesses for our Mother’s Day highlights.

We highlighted four unique businesses based in Central Minnesota.

A few highlights from the piece:

Sampling Glenwood’s Rolling Forks Vineyards award-winning Allegros (a Dry Brianna wine that scored a 96/100 at the San Fransisco International Wine Competition) and their Ruby Rhubarb, which one best in show at MN Food and Wine.

Celebrating culinary possibilities of the sustainably-grown award-winning garlic turned into smoked powders and unctuous seasoning blends by Rustic Roots Farm - MN in Alexandria.

Trying Redhead Creamery LLC newest product—a drinkable yogurt that’s available in their Brooten cheese shop or on their delivery route (which spans from Fargo to the Twin Cities).

Admiring the rich detail in the hand-drawn stickers and magnets produced from the sketchbook observations of Grace of Little Rocks Design in Sauk Centre.

Watch the full segment and plan your road trip: https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnesota-live/mothers-day-gifts-from-minnesota-makers/

Explore the our Shop Minnesota guide for Mother’s Day, Graduations, Weddings (or yourself!): https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift/

Thank you to the 100 makers in our guide who make Minnesota’s entrepreneurial landscape so vibrant. Your 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.