AURI’s support for Minnesota-grown crops is highlighted at the University of Minnesota’s 175th anniversary celebration through a new Golden Gopher ice cream flavor featuring aronia berries from Wright Farms.
Paul Wright and his family see this as a major opportunity to expand awareness and markets for aronia. When developing the flavor, Wright paired aronia with apples, oats, and dairy to reflect Minnesota agriculture and the University’s agricultural research legacy.
“We put it all together and gave it the name North Star Apple Crisp, and then we won out of 500 entries.”
North Star Apple Crisp will be featured throughout the anniversary events, including the Minnesota State Fair. The exposure may help grow interest in aronia as a Minnesota crop.
Wright Farms’ relationship with AURI began years before planting their orchard. Wright previously worked with AURI while exploring other value‑added agricultural ideas.
“AURI has just been a fantastic ally… I truly believe that AURI is such an essential part of continuing to keep agriculture moving forward in the state of Minnesota.”
