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Work With Me

RecipesMeet the MN Makers2023-02-01T12:05:22-06:00

Recipes

Michelle Sharp
Mixed Green Salad with Mango
May 29, 2022

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michelle@meettheminnesotamakers.com

Breaking the Frame A powerful guiding principle f

Breaking the Frame

A powerful guiding principle for the 15th Annual Women’s Leadership Forum hosted by the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce @dcrchamber .

I had the privilege to spend the morning in the same room as 300 (mostly) women as we awarded student scholarships, envisioned leadership directions, and talked about past lessons and future aspirations. It was a vibrant and dynamic environment that offered both inspiration and clear plans of action.

My thanks to the organizers for their thoughtful planning from the round table seating to the intentional breaks to give attendees the opportunity to process with their peers and explore the marketplace full of local businesses and civic organizations. The planning committee created a supportive environment that engaged participants and speakers regardless of this experience. There truly was something for everyone at this event.

It was my great honor to be a part of the Power Panel along with three other local leaders and founders to share our experience. It was a provocative exercise to reflect on the leadership lessons and challenges that shaped me. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do the work I do today. It’s not often that I create intentional space to consider where I’ve been and how I’ve come to serve the community in this role. I enjoyed learning from my other panelists and appreciated the positive energy in the room as people candidly shared their journeys.

This annual event brings together leaders across multiple disciplines throughout Dakota County. I appreciate having the chance to be a part of this conversation.

Know your Neighbors. It’s always shop local month

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always shop local month at Meet the Minnesota Makers. We’re continuing our Shop Local month series into March to introduce more of 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: Jeff Roslund and Ryan Boudreau of Dapper Barons

🌳Where: Brooklyn Park and Eagan

🍸What: Minnesota Grown Low Sugar Liqueurs available at liquor stores and restaurants throughout Minnesota

*Two friends building a business together that allows them to directly support charitable causes and sponsorships in their communities

*A creative outlet of flavor-forward beverages without the hidden sugar common in many brands

*MN Cup finalists and medal winners at the Distilled Spirits Council USA Innovation Showcase

💕How You Get Involved: Visit https://www.dapperbarons.com/where-to-buy to find in store locations or order for shipping (Look for the derby hat topper.)

*Try a low sugar Ready-To-Drink cocktail (Old Fashioned, Amaretto Sour, Espresso Martini) to make hosting your next event easy and tasty for all

*Enjoy an Irish Coffee on St Patrick’s Day with Dapper Barons Spirits (Irish Coffee: 1 oz Dapper Barons Coffee Liqueur, 1.5 oz Irish whiskey, 4-6 oz coffee, whipped cream)☘️

*Ask your local liquor store what local brands they carry on their shelves

*Read about Jeff and Ryan at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/recrafting-premium-cocktails-dapper-barons-develops-local-low-carb-liqueurs

*Follow @dapper_barons for recipes and pop up events

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow @meettheminnesotamakers 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.

Know your Neighbors. It’s always shop local month

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always shop local month at Meet the Minnesota Makers. We’re continuing our Shop Local month series into March to introduce more of 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: Gallery 24 Artist Collaborative

🖌️ Where: Rochester

🖼️ What: An artist-owned and run gallery and community art hub.

*A gathering space for classes (both for kids and adults), artist shows, and pop up markets.

*Open six days a week, Gallery 24 offers a convenient way to shop locally among unique finds.

*A collaboration among artists of diverse backgrounds and mediums to create a space that supports each other’s creative endeavors while engaging with the greater Rochester community.

💕 How You Get Involved: Stop by Gallery 24 at 120 Elton Hills Dr. NW to browse, pick up a birthday card, and learn about upcoming events.

*Visit www.gallery24new.org to sign up for their newsletter, learn about their summer camps, or explore adult class offerings.

*Consider sharing your art as a guest artist and learn about becoming an artist member.

*Book an art party or work with the Gallery 24 team to set up an event for your work and school.

*Make a plan to visit the gallery to take in their monthly show themes (March’s theme is local student art and April offers an Earth Day theme of recycling).

*Follow @gallery24org for class highlights and new gallery finds.

*Read about Gallery 24’s community art mission at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/gallery-24-artist-led-gallery-engages-with-its-rochester-community

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow @meettheminnesotamakers 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.

Know your Neighbors. It’s always shop local month

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always shop local month at Meet the Minnesota Makers. We’re continuing our Shop Local month series into March to introduce more of 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: Jenny Casper of Fiddlesticks Gluten Free Bakery

🌳Where: Eagan

🍞What: A Cottage Bakery that produces only celiac-safe, gluten-free cinnamon rolls, breads, and cookies (a number of items are dairy free as well!)

*A regular vendor at Eagan’s indoor market and outdoor Market Fest

*Weekly porch pick ups of baked-to-order items made to nourish and delight a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences

*A lifelong baker of bread who shuttered her previous bakery after a family medical diagnosis, completely reworked her recipes, and returned to baking for others once she developed flavor-forward gluten-free recipes that filled her desire for real bread

*A longtime volunteer at Eagan’s Dakota Woodlands shelter

💕How You Get Involved: Stop by Fiddlesticks’ table this week at the March 11 Eagan Indoor Market (4-7pm) for cinnamon rolls, granola, and perhaps a loaf of cranberry wild rice bread (if you get there early)

*Order cinnamon and chocolate rolls for a work meeting or packs of oatcakes for road trip snacks through https://www.fiddlesticksbakery.com

*Sign up for the Fiddlesticks Bakery newsletter at https://www.fiddlesticksbakery.com

*Read about Jenny’s journey into gluten free baking at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/sweet-release-fiddlesticks-bakery-makes-gluten-free-taste-so-good

*Follow @fiddlesticksbakery for pop ups and new item releases

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow @meettheminnesotamakers 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.

We’ve planned a little foodie-themed road trip tha

We’ve planned a little foodie-themed road trip that’s close to home.

Alexandria flavor is coming to the @mn_arboretum !

Join Chef Beth Fisher and Michelle Sharp of @meettheminnesotamakers as we introduce you to three local, innovative, small business owners from this beautiful area of west central Minnesota.

The Makers will provide demonstrations, prepare samples and share the passions that inspire their work.

Come on a culinary journey with @redheadcreamery, @rusticrootsfarmmn and @rollingforksvineyards . Meet their founders, learn their stories, and sample their gourmet fare.

In this class you will:
    •    Explore local flavor available just a short drive from the Twin Cities — discover the rich food and drink traditions of west central Minnesota.

    •    Sample Redhead Creamery’s world-class cheeses and discover their sustainable farmstead process, from crafting award-winning flavors to transforming leftover whey into distinctive spirits at their innovative “Cheesestillery.”

    •    Learn about Rustic Roots Farm’s award-winning specialty crops and regenerative practices, exploring their premium hardneck garlic, artisan seasonings and family-driven mission to produce sustainable, handcrafted food.

    •    Discover how Rolling Forks Vineyards crafts elegant, food-friendly wines by sampling intentional varieties, learning how vineyard-first quality — through precise pruning, crop levels and harvest timing creates balanced, expressive Minnesota wines.

    •    Taste a recipe from Chef Beth featuring ingredients from our Makers, while picking up expert kitchen tips to use at home.

Join us at the Myers Education Center Kitchen at the Farm at the Arb on Saturday, April 18 from 10-12:30.

Registration through the Arboretum website: https://arb.umn.edu/learn/taste-makers-alexandria

Ticket includes daily admission for the Arboretum. Make a day of it with lunch at Rootstock (if you have room for lunch after sampling throughout class), wander the grounds, and hunt for spring flowers.

These classes are community celebrations of Minnesota’s thriving food and beverage businesses. Meet, eat, and celebrate Minnesota’s unique food artisans together!

Know your Neighbors. It’s always shop local month

Know your Neighbors.

It’s always shop local month at Meet the Minnesota Makers. We’re continuing our Shop Local month series into March to introduce more of 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: Carrie and Jade of The Black Radish Urban Farm

💕Where: Minneapolis

🪏What: An urban farm converting individual yards into high-density planting sites for CSA and community outreach programs

*Artist-led farm following organic and regenerative agricultural practices

*Growers of specialty produce for local restaurants including @nixtampls, @north_star_deli @nicetimemarket and @standishcafe .

*Partners with @thesannehfoundation Foundation growing culturally-relevant products and through donations to ensure that The Black Radish operates as a zero waste farm

*Community partners who literally work their neighbors’ yards and depend on local volunteers to make their labor-intensive efforts possible.

*Builders of a non-traditional farm that want to feed hyperlocal produce to as many people as possible

🥗🥕🍅How You Get Involved: Sign up for a 2026 CSA at https://www.theblackradishmpls.com

*Visit https://www.theblackradishmpls.com to contribute to the farm’s effort to buy a contiguous quarter acre plot of land to double their growing capacity and establish educational programs

*Explore https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/urban-harvest-black-radish-farm-grows-community to learn about Carrie and Jade’s community building mission and their unique CSA model

*Follow @theblackradish_ to join the Wednesday rounds as they combat jumping worms and celebrate urban ag wins

*Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com and follow @meettheminnesotamakers 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.

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