Fresh From North Dakota Webisode Series Showcases Recipes Using Local Specialty Crops
In partnership with: North Dakota Department of Agriculture
North Dakota is known as a major producer of crops like wheat and soybeans. But the state produces a diverse range of specialty crops as well. Everything from fresh vegetables to honey to lentils and beans can easily be found at farmers markets across the state.
To help promote these crops and give consumers easy ways to use them, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture developed the Fresh From North Dakota webisode series, which launched in August 2023.
“We wanted a fun way to promote specialty crops, and this idea fit the bill,” says Michelle Mielke, public information officer for NDDA. “Some people are unaware of how to prepare certain specialty crops. The video recipe series, along with having recipe cards available, is the perfect way to do that.”
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Calling in the Locals
The webisode series kicked off with four episodes, all hosted by prominent North Dakota chefs who are familiar with the state’s agricultural industry.
Each video includes digital recipe cards available for the dishes made in the video, and the website features a map with farmers market and specialty crop locations. Printed recipe cards were also available at farmers markets and by request from NDDA.
Stephanie Miller owns Butterhorn restaurant in Bismarck with her husband, Shane. They’re both featured in two Fresh From North Dakota episodes, showcasing how to make a fresh charcuterie board, honey-carrot mocktail, carrot top pesto, pea pasta salad and more – all with local ingredients. As someone who grew up on the farm, Miller says she jumped at the opportunity to be part of the campaign.
“I was extremely excited when they called me,” Miller says. “I only needed to hear about one sentence, and I was in. Videos are a really great way to show the public what they can do with North Dakota products.”
She adds that using local ingredients, like local wheat for fresh pasta, in her restaurant is extremely important, and she loves sharing it with others.
“It’s showcasing just how important our farmers in North Dakota are, and I think they’re a little underappreciated in today’s society,” she says. “If we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t have food on our tables.”
Jeff Benda is another North Dakota native who has been an outdoor writer and recipe creator for more than 20 years. He’s featured in two episodes: one focused on pickling fresh vegetables and another showcasing how to make a Spanish bean soup with local game and produce.
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A Successful Start
NDDA worked with a Midwest advertising agency, LEVEL Mpls, to launch the series. Kim Thelen, LEVEL Mpls president and chief client officer, says Fresh From North Dakota became more than just a video series.
“There was a bigger vision to it,” she says. “We knew we had to brand the series as something more that demonstrated a commitment to North Dakota producers and connect with consumers.”
With just four videos in the first wave of the series, it’s already received a tremendous amount of positive response and engagement.
“Having the recipe cards available with the videos and the food personalities who are well known locally has really gotten a lot of people engaging,” Thelen says.
Mielke adds that website and social media traffic for NDDA has increased as well.
Production has already started on the second set of webisodes featuring new North Dakota chefs.
“We’ll be releasing four more webisodes next August and are looking to continue the program beyond that,” Mielke says.
Watch the current webisodes and learn more at ndda.nd.gov/fresh-north-dakota.
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