Skip to content
  • Home
  • Meet The Makers
  • Recipes
  • Gift Guide
logo-meetminnesota
  • Maker Services
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Work With Me
logo-meetminnesota
  • Home
  • Meet The Makers
  • Recipes
  • Gift Guide
  • Maker Services
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Work With Me

Small Town Store

Most popular

  • A Passion for Pie: Fruit & Grain Bakery Serves Both Savory and Sweet

    December, 8

  • Nourish the World: Bridget O’Boyle’s Oh Soup!

    February, 2

  • Meet Minnesota’s Cottage Food Community: Breaking Down Barriers to Building a Registered Food Business

    October, 16

  • From Kitchen Saucepan to Main Street Tasting Room: Sweet Haven Tonics’ Elevated Cocktail Adventure

    November, 29

  • Pettit Pastures: Regenerative Agriculture Becomes A Family Farming Tradition

    December, 13

  • One Pot Fresh Tomato Pasta

    September, 11

  • A Hustle of Love: X2 Pastries Bakes Their Favorites for You

    February, 15

Nothing Found

Partners

Nashke Games Logo
Keepsake
inbound studio
Rural Innovation
Fives Pines Candle Co.
Fives Pines Candle Co.

Meet the Minnesota Makers

@meettheminnesotamakers

meettheminnesotamakers

*Connects you with MN businesses
*Gift guide, maker features, product reviews
*Website & Social Content Creator
michelle@meettheminnesotamakers.com
Know your Neighbors. It’s always shop local month Know your Neighbors. It’s always shop local month at Meet the Minnesota Makers. Our Shop Local month 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: The Olberding Family of Rustic Roots Farm Where: Alexandria What: Direct-to-Consumer Farm cultivating prize-winning Garlic, Maple Syrup, Asparagus, log- grown Mushrooms and herb blends from on farm crops *Family-run farm built around the values that Julie and Chad want to pass on to their kids *Regenerative practices with a mission to reduce food waste allows them to restore soil and water health at their farm and create unique products like a smoked garlic powder *MN Garlic Festival Best in Show in 2023. With 35,000 garlic bulbs sending up their early shoots this April, it could be another big year for Rustic Roots *Destination for u-pick flowers and fun photo ops for all ages How You Get Involved: Save your seat for the Alexandria Road Trip Taste Makers Class on Saturday, April 18 at the MN Landscape Arboretum to sample some of their signature products and hear their story (Link in bio) *Visit https://www.rusticrootsfarmmn.com to order powdered garlic (shippable!), browse their items available for pick up, and read their blog for their Farm Aid moment of fame *Sign up for their newsletter to be in the know for when this year’s maple syrup is ready or when the farm stand is open for visitors. *Make a plan to visit for u-pick dahlias this summer *Learn about these first-generation family farmers at https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/best-in-show-first-generation-family-farm-rustic-roots-is-mn-garlic-festival-winner *Follow @rusticrootsfarmmn to see what’s literally popping up on the farm. *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.
Community building is the heart of @localfeast T Community building is the heart of @localfeast The Cannon Falls trade show each March has become one of my favorite events of the year that supports our local food space. A dynamic environment brings food and beverage makers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa in dialogue with buyers and support services from the same region. This supportive and education-forward space educates and informs makers about buyers’ needs and buyers about makers’ challenges. It’s a lively space. People arrive open to possibilities and ready for connection. The energy hums along as sips and samples are shared and conversations begin in real time between real people. After all, isn’t positively impacting people supposed to be the point of building a brand? In this space, local ingredients and the people who shape them into products that nourish and delight are the heroes. This celebration of values is why I’m delighted to be moving forward as a part of the Local Feast! team. Three and a half years ago Elena Gutierrez Byrne invited me to Feast—contacting me to share why attending the event would be worth my time. She couldn’t have been more right. My connection with Local Feast continues to grow as I undertake some of their marketing and outreach work. I’ll be sorry not to work with Elena in Local Feast and @renewingthecountryside I trust that our paths will continue to intersect as we support our local makers, growers, and doers. Special shout out to Nicole of @coffeewompleroastery and Jennifer from MDA being a part of the event (@womenwhoreallycook out and about in Cannon Falls!). Event highlight shoutout to @kate.labrosse for her thoughtful professional development session after the trade show. Kate is a literal treasure trove of wisdom, which she shares in an accessible and engaging way. Thank you to the Local Feast planning commitee and the amazing team at Renewing the Countryside for your work in making these events reality. Your next opportunity to get involved is at the Local Feast Marketplace on November 7 in Rochester. We’ll see you there!
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.
Follow on Instagram

Sign up to receive Subscriber Discounts in the Meet the Minnesota Makers Newsletter!

Thank you for your message. It has been sent.
There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later.

Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Page load link
Go to Top