Pam Girard

Pam Girard fulfilled her passion for cooking when she was asked to start a cooking class in her home in the early ‘90s. Since then, she’s been publishing cookbooks on easy cooking.

Her books combine all of the things she loves: writing, family, travel and religious thought. If it Tastes Good, Who Cares? Vol. III features family stories of how food kept them together and created many memories. The recipes gathered while traveling abroad have been adapted to use foods more commonly found in a North Dakotan’s pantry.

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Flax USA

If you’re in search of a healthy, North Dakota-grown addition to your diet, Flax USA is worth a look.

Their cold milled flax has a shelf life of two years, and their Flaxmilk™ – which is produced only by Flax USA – is packed full of nutrients with 1,200 mg of omega-3 and your total daily calcium needs all in just one serving. It’s also dairy, soy, gluten and lactose free.

To order your flax products, visit www.flaxusa.com or www.amazone.com, or stop by a Costco, Marshall’s, Sam’s Club, SuperValu, or TJ Maxx location.

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North Star Farms

North Star Farms is passionate about growing certified organic produce for the health of the community and the earth and strives to provide excellent service. One hundred percent of what is grown is certified as USDA organic and Canada Organic Regime certified.

By operating the only passive solar certified organic greenhouse in the state, Marvin and Ilene Baker are able to grow foods that most claim “can’t be grown in North Dakota.”

The Bakers’ organic foods can be purchased at their North Star Farms CSA in Minot and the North Prairie Farms Market also in Minot.

Their best-selling item, garlic, is bursting with flavor and comes in a variety of types from mild to very hot.

Check out North Star Farms online at www.northstarorganic.com or by visiting www.facebook.com/pages/North-Star-Farms/108881405800679.

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Sara’s Beanies

If you’re looking for handmade items to spice up your day, look no further Sara’s Beanies.

 Sara Frank got started crocheting and knitting to pass the time while on bedrest during her pregnancy. After her daughter’s birth, she continued with this hobby and began selling some of her creations to friends.

Frank’s full product line includes crochet and knit hats, scarves, blankets, and photography props, as well as scarves, bracelets, necklaces, pins and hair clips made of t-shirts, and girls’ sundresses for infants and toddlers.

As a mother of two, her goal is to make everything fun, functional and build-to-last. They are cute enough for photos but will hold up for winter fun and daily wear. The hats are all single crochet with accent pieces sewn on.

Frank’s supplies are purchased locally, and the crochet and knit items are made mostly of natural fibers. Focused on efficiency, even the buttons and beads used to decorate the items are reused from other articles.

You can find Sara’s beanies and other items at Hey Ocean in Bismarck, Euphoria Salon & Spa in Dickinson, and ACORN eco-boutique in Lumsden, Saskatchewan.

Visit www.sarasbeanies.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SarasBeanies to see her variety of products.

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Live Out Loud Designs

If you’re looking for “junk” turned to treasures, Shawna Davidson is your go-to.

Davidson has a love for junk. Not her own, the junk of others. In 2003, she started collecting antique items from auction sales and repurposing them to create new treasures, and Uptown Cottage was born. Davidson considers herself a “green artist” and lives by the motto “Reuse, Recycle, Reinvent!

Handmade, unique pieces of jewelry were added to Davidson’s product line in 2005 and the company took on a new name in 2008 as Live Out Loud Designs. These jewelry items each have their own individual flair, just like the women wearing them.

Her most popular jewelry items are word stick soldered pendants that contain phrases like “live the life you love” and “love.” She also makes glittery message in a bottle pendants. Her mixed media art combines vintage bits of history with special messages.

To find your unique design, visit artfire.com, www.facebook.com/liveoutlouddesigns, Bismarck and Fargo Holiday Showcases and street fairs, or Island Park Craft Show in Fargo.

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Social Media Training Scheduled

NDSU Extension, United Tribes Technical College and Pride of Dakota are excited to announce an two-day online marketing workshop coming to Bismarck on June 5-6.  The workshop will be limited to 50 participants and will allow hands-on training in computer labs at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. 

The program is specialized to help small business looking to jump into online marketing and for those looking for a refresher course.  There will be information for all levels available throughout the workshop.

Topics covered include: Website, Marketing Your Brand, Using Analytics, Twitter, Video, Facebook and more.  The cost for the two-day workshop is $40 and includes lunch each day. 

Online Marketing Registration Form

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Williston Showcase a Success

Pride of Dakota made it’s way back to Williston for the 2nd Annual Pride of Dakota Spring Showcase! 

More than 80 vendors and 1,500 customers filled the Raymond Family Community Center for the first-ever Spring Showcase. This event saw a few changes this year including moving downstairs to thelarge room on the ground floor of the Community Center.  This proved easier for both customers and companies alike!  In addition, the show was extended to a two day event and opened Friday evening from 4-9 pm and again on Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm.

Companies reported strong sales and customers were appreciate that the show was back in Williston.

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Pride of Dakota Spring Showcase returning to Williston

 More than 90 North Dakota companies will be “rockin’ the Bakken,” Friday and Saturday, May 4-5, when the Pride of Dakota Spring Showcase returns to Williston.

“The first Spring Showcase last year attracted more than 1,400 visitors in a single day,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “With the new two-day format and with many more participating companies, we are expecting a considerably larger turnout of shoppers.”

Showcase hours are 4 to 9 p.m. (CDT) Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at the Raymond Family Community Center, 1102 11th St W.  Admission is $1 per person with children under 12 free.

“You will find an even better selection of gourmet foods and condiments, wine, books, jewelry, art and more,” Goehring said. “Many of the companies taking part are here for the first time, so shoppers will find new and exciting products for gifts and for their homes.”

The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases are scheduled for Nov. 3-4 in Grand Forks, Nov. 10-11 in Minot, Nov. 16-18 in Fargo, and Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Bismarck. The Harvest Showcase in Dickinson is scheduled for Sept. 15-16.

Now with more than 500 member companies, the Pride of Dakota program provides cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as Pride of Dakota Day, the Holiday Showcases and in-store demonstrations to its members. Pride of Dakota also provides educational opportunities for retailers and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions. The program is administered by the Marketing and Information Division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Check out the 2012 booth list for this year’s show!

 

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Dr. Mary’s Books

Dr. Mary Ellen Erickson began her writing career in 2004 when she published her first book, First Day of School, a children’s picture book.  Dr Mary writes her books but to teach people something about life, human nature, a certain period in history, value, positive character traits and more.  All of her works are written using the motto, “Building A Better Society.” 

Since 2004, Dr. Mary has published nine books that have received attention from many different audiences including picture books for children, juvenile fiction for older children and fiction and nonfiction for adults.  “The thing that makes my company unique from other independent book publishing companies is that I write all of my own books and I write a large variety of books,” said Dr. Mary. 

The picture books that Dr. Mary has designed for young children are First Day of School, Snowstorm, and Bonbon’s Special Christmas.  These books are infused with ideas about character building, values and work ethic that are tangible for early readers.  The juvenile fiction series is adventure and mystery stories that are built around the theme of friendship, decision making and responsibility.  The book titles are What Happened to the Deer and Who Jinxed the C & G Ranch.  The fiction books that Dr. Mary writes for adult readers, titled Otis and Geezettes, are built to entertain and to provoke thoughts about human relationships and family dynamics.  Otis addresses the life of women growing up in 1950s at the beginning of the feminist movement.  The adult nonfiction books share ideas about how to approach caregiving for elders and endurance through tough times.  The nonfiction books are inspired by Dr. Mary’s background and life experiences.

Dr. Mary advertises her books at Pride of Dakota shows, as well as books signings at stores, craft shows, school programs, charities and state conventions, to name a few.  She is thankful to be working with Pride of Dakota and the residents of North Dakota because they have been very supportive of her work in helping to “market and promote” her books throughout North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Florida.

To learn more about Dr. Mary’s books, or to shop online, visit www.drmarysbooks.com.  Books are also available in book stores around the country.

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Mikey’s Country Candy

Cindy Yale and Nyla Sorensen, co-owners of Mikey’s Country Candy, have many new and exciting things planned for the future of their company.

The business pair, who met through church over six years ago, complements each other well. Nyla, a former 4-H member enjoys making the candy, and Cindy, who has a long history of owning small businesses, works to promote and market their products.

Mikey’s Country Candy began over 20 years ago with the original owner, Mikey Wilkins. “Mikey created wonderful products-many of them we continue to make as she originally made them. Because she did a good job and had a great reputation, we walked into a great reputation,” said Cindy. Mikey’s first creation was the Dakota Crunch; a butter toffee dipped in milk chocolate and sprinkled with almonds. It remains their number one seller. “We have not changed one single ingredient in that recipe.”

In the future, Cindy and Nyla plan to increase the line of Mikey’s Country Candy. Currently, they’re working on Turtle and Crème Filled Candies as well as Pride of Dakota chocolate bars. The Pride of Dakota bars will be sold in white and milk chocolate with crispies and dark chocolate. The bar is 2.5 by 4 inches with the Pride of Dakota logo is imprinted into the chocolate. “We are honored that Pride of Dakota has entrusted us with this project. It’s amazing and we respect the program a lot,” said Cindy.

Candy bars with company logos stamped into them is a business adventure that Mikey’s has started to explore.  “We’re ready now to put our own twist on things. We’re taste testing on monthly intervals. We’re excited it looks good.”

Cindy and Nyla are working hard to promote their product throughout the state and the region. They’re always happy to hear their customers’ suggestions and comments, although, their favorite one was when a customer told them their candy was like heaven wrapped in chocolate-now that’s sweet!

For more information about Mikey’s Country Candy, visit their website: www.mikeyscountrycandy.com.

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