Vol. 12, No. 3
This edition of Ag Innovation News was originally published in approximately July of 2003.
Ag Innovation News
There is nothing quite like the feeling that comes from a job well done. The satisfaction from putting sweat and effort into a successful
St. Paul, Minn. – AURI, along with many other state initiatives, received a major funding reduction by the Minnesota State Legislature this session. A
Due to budget reductions, AURI is implementing some cost-saving measures for Ag Innovation News. While we will continue to offer interesting and informative news
Cold Spring, Minn. – Like any cook, Brad Matuska knows the secret to great cooking is quality ingredients – even if the final product
Meat is big business in Minnesota – a $3 billion industry. Minnesota leads the country in turkey production, is number three in pork, and
St. Paul, Minn. – A patented rinse and chill technology reduces harmful bacteria in ground beef, according to tests sponsored by AURI and the
Fergus Falls, Minn. – Dennis Tuel, Sr., has started nine successful companies in the last 40 years, including ShoreMaster, a $22-million maker of waterfront
Country Meadow Farms, a marketing group formed in 2000 with help from AURI, supplies lamb year-round to Metro-area natural foods stores, including Mississippi Markets
Hutchinson, Minn. – When her customers kept asking for gyros meat, Hutchinson lamb producer Connie Karstens decided it was time to go Greek. She
Marshall, Minn. – Randy Brandt’s seasoned beef sticks aren’t just slim, they’re lean. R & P Smoky Meat Sticks are made of Piedmontese crossbred
Stillwater, Minn – George Ghanem has been marketing ethnic and gourmet meats to Midwest consumers for 10 years. His food company, Papa George, now
The tastiest tofu in Taiwan could soon be coming from Minnesota. Soybean varieties developed from Japanese and Chinese stock and adapted to grow in
Midwest states with significant agricultural industries have recognized the role value-added agriculture plays in keeping a state economy strong. Advancing new opportunities for producers
The hottest value-added opportunities emerging today may come in the tiniest packages. Little seeds from the cuphea plant, for example, encapsulate valuable oils that
A close relative of pigweed, amaranth has been valued since ancient times for its nutritional and ornamental qualities. This hardy broad-leaf plant is easy
Canola, an edible rapeseed of the mustard family, is grown primarily for its oil. Lowest in saturated fat of all vegetable oils, canola is
Flax, also known as linseed, is one of the oldest domesticated crops, used by ancient Egyptians to make linen wraps for mummies. It is
Cuphea (KOO-fee-uh), a sticky plant with colorful, showy flowers, originated in Central America and was domesticated a few years ago by Oregon State University
In spite of its name, buckwheat is not a wheat, nor is it related to any small grains. Its gray-black seeds, similar in size
Bismarck, N. D. – Last year, Minnesota growers planted about 40,000 acres of sunflowers, many of which were NuSunª varieties. For those growers, the
AURI clients, like the rest of the Internet world, are evolving to keep up with Web technology. To get you browsing and shopping our
Waconia, Minn. – Sandy Karstens has a knack for waiting patiently through life’s trials. As president of RK Marketing Enterprises, Karstens produces and promotes