Scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, at the Best Western Doublewood Inn, 1400 E. Interchange Ave., Bismarck, the event combines educational and networking opportunities to help you better use Pride of Dakota programs to grow your business.

This year’s speakers include:

Michelle Wall: A certified Dale Carnegie business coach, Michelle works with organizations, teams, and individuals to boost performance and develop strategies to execute and drive business results.

Katie Pinke: Marketing and information division director in North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Katie brings extensive expertise in digital communication tools and social media. She was previously director of business development and strategic lead across AdFarm’s six North American offices.

Glenn Muske: A rural and agribusinesss enterprise development specialist for North Dakota State University, Glenn supports entrepreneurs and small-business owners through educational programming.

Marv Dorner: Marv has spent most of the past 15 years working in technology and the internet. Marv is currently a video conferencing specialist for AVI Systems, one of the country’s leading audio/video integrators.

Eric Piela: A digital marketing strategist with Flint Communications, Eric’s “offl ine” and “online” marketing experience helps his audience better understand both traditional and new-age marketing efforts.

Kari Warberg Block: CEO of Earthkind and a North Dakota Women in Business Champion of the Year, Kari’s inventions, which are nationwide, include FRESH CAB rodent repellent, and Prairie Aire air freshener.

Dan Hofland: With 22 years at Red River Commodities, Dan developed and now markets SunButter,sold in all 50 states plus Canada, Australia and South Korea.

Beverly Flaten: Beverly consults internationally in organizational leadership and forming professional learning teams. Her work for JM Grain of Garrison, ND, has led to business in more than 20 countries.

Carol Brunnert: As activity coordinator with Food Export- Midwest and Food Export-Northeast, Carol brings extensive experience in project management and support services to agri-trade associations and their members.

New this year is a four-hour session, “Why Export.” If you have ever wondered what exporting is all about and if it’s a good fit for your company, this learning session – with no technical talk or jargon – could answer your question. Learn from POD members who have grown their companies by exporting, and see if exporting is in the near future for your company. This session, brought to you by Pride of Dakota, Food Export – Midwest and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, is for both food and non-food businesses.

The fun starts Tuesday evening with The Wild Trivia Tour! The Wild Trivia Tour is a team trivia contest that competes tables teams against each other for fun, prizes and of course bragging rights! This fun networking event starts at 6 p.m. and is included with your registration to the Annual Meeting.

Don’t miss this important opportunity for your business. Registration will be mailed out soon! If you have questions on this event, please contact Sara at 701-328-4766 or sakelsch@nd.gov.

Ingredients: Lard, Olive Oil, Beer, Lye, Honey, Vanilla, Skin Safe Color

It all started  one weekend when the ‘widows’ decided to get together and make scrubs and lip balms they found in Martha Stewart Living. They loved it so much they went on to create their own. They went on to attend a Handcrafted Soapmaker’s Guild convention in Denver in 2009, where they were able to learn new techniques, labeling restrictions and tricks of the trade that they’ve used to expand their business.

The ladies describe their product as, “unique, handcrafted soaps and body products made from the finest ingredients.” They have something for everyone including custom soaps for bridal showers, baby showers and weddings. The beautiful designs and scents can be tailored to the season and they can even feature love quotes, holiday greetings, or I Heart Fargo messages. 

So, you’re probably wondering why two women named Jennifer and Laura would start a company named AnnaKate. Well, according to them, naming the company was the most difficult part. However, the origin is simple really. Ann is Jennifer’s middle name, and Katherine is Laura’s. “We thought AnnaKate seemed like a fun, clean name,” they said.

Then, why soap? Jennifer and Laura both love baking and, according to them, “making soap is like baking a beautiful cake, without the calories!” That’s probably why the creative process is their favorite part of their business. They said that seeing an idea come to life is great, but “the best part is when our customers love it.” Favorite customer products include the Breakfast Bar, Milk and Honey, Clay Savon and Escape to the Sea. Jennifer and Laura are always open to suggestions too, though!

AnnaKate Soaps just joined Pride of Dakota in July, but they’ve already gotten to know some of their fellow companies and say that the helpful tips and advice are invaluable. They now truly believe that “North Dakota Nice” is real!

Look for some new products, such as a lotion bar, body scrubs and maybe even lip scrubs to fight the harsh winters, coming out for Valentine’s Day. You can find AnnaKate Soaps at their website www.annakatesoaps.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnnaKateSoaps, or at the airport gift shop in Fargo.

 Eagleson got her start in 1977 by making various jelly products and marketing them through the Jamestown Farmer’s Market. Nearly 20 years later, she bought the supplies and equipment from the former Ashley Berry Co., and Berry Dakota was born.

“With a degree in family and consumer science from South Dakota State University, a licensed facility available and an interest in making jelly, I decided it would be a good venture,” she says.

Today, Berry Dakota produces a wide variety of quality jelly, jam, syrup and other products. It is the only company that produces its entire line of jelly products from native fruits and berries, such as chokecherries, juneberries, buffalo berries and wild plums. The company also makes flavored mustards, barbecue sauces and other condiments. Right now, a rhubarb chipotle barbecue sauce is being tested.

“We’re small enough to maintain personal relationships with our customers but big enough to provided larger customers with product needed,” says Eagleson.”All of our products are produced in small batches that make it more like grandma’s homemade jelly.”

In 2004, Eagleson was looking for new ideas to add to the Berry Dakota line.

“I had been at several trade shows with other North Dakota companies and had been networking with other Pride of Dakota companies,” she says. “At one show, someone pointed out wine jelly.”

Eagleson returned to Jamestown, researched the product, contacted some local wineries and Nature’s Arbor Wine Jelly was the result. Because of the support of another Pride of Dakota company, Maple River Winery, Berry Dakota now uses Maple River wines almost exclusively for the wine jelly.

“Pride of Dakota has been a big part of my business over the years,” she says. “The Holiday Showcases have been a major source of income, as well as a means of providing broad product exposure for North Dakota companies. I’ve also benefitted from the support offered for attending wholesale trade shows and annual meetings with educational opportunities.”

Eagleson says Pride of Dakota is truly a symbol of pride for companies involved in the program.

“I have been told by other companies in other states that they wished their states had an organization that had the commitment to small companies that our Pride of Dakota has.”

For more information check out our web site: www.perfectlynuts.net

To order visit: www.perfectlynuts.net/ordering.php

To learn more about this company, visit their Pride of Dakota member profile.

If you would like to contact this company directly you can reach them at:

My Sunshine Shoppe
7510 Hightop Ln
Bismarck, ND 58503-6868
(701) 371-1288
ellebe80@gmail.com
www.mysunshineshoppe.com

If you would like to become a featured Pride of Dakota member on a future podcast, send an email to prideofdakota@gmail.com

Thanks for listening!

Held in conjunction with the North Dakota Farmers Market Association Annual Meeting, the conference is open to growers, farmers market vendors, processors, educators, civic leaders and local food enthusiasts interested in hearing what is happening in the region and those wishing to learn more about value added agriculture.

The agenda will be filled with informative sessions, including presentations on production, marketing, rural community revitalization, small equipment options and agri-tourism opportunities. 

For more information on this conference, contact Dana Pritschet at 701-328-4763 or email pritschet@nd.gov.

Let your walls tell your home’s story by choosing one of the many varieties of hand painted cabinet door wall hangings. Each wall hanging is hand painted in a 5 step process to add to your home or make the perfect gift.

After the North Dakota Legislature approved legislation to allow small distilleries to operate in North Dakota similar to wineries, they received federal approval in August 2009 and had their first product out in November that same year. Then, after their Rhubarb Cordial won the 2010 gold medal for the Fruit Blend portion of the Indy International Wine Competition, Maple River Distillery started introducing new products including Apricot Cordial, Strawberry Cordial, and Chokecherry Brandy.

The distillery is able to ship to any address in North Dakota, is available at any local retailer, and also has tasting rooms open Monday through Saturday in historic downtown Casselton from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sunday’s and evenings by appointment.

To view a complete description of their products or to order a bottle of your favorite drink, visit their website at www.northdakotawinery.com