University of Minnesota expands fruit licensing to all US growers
Growers can now access the University of Minnesota’s apple and grape varieties through Superior Fruit Innovations (SFI), the university's new licensing program offering direct-market growers access to the patented fruits for a fee.
Its current varieties, including rave, big flirt, and super snap apples, as well as a list of seedless grapes, were previously only available to larger growers and distributors. Now, through SFI, all US growers can license existing and future University of Minnesota table grape and apple varieties for a decade by paying a $100 membership fee.
The university stated that the program will charge members a $1.00 royalty per tree or vine, plus an annual royalty of $1.00 per plant beginning in the fourth year of growth, and will also provide marketing tools, a grower network, and additional resources.
Matt Clark, associate professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science, said the program is designed to help growers “diversify their offerings, attract more visitors, and potentially command a premium price” for their fruit.
“Not only that, some of these varieties are ideal for local markets, which reduces the challenges of storing or shipping fruit long distances,” he added.
While currently limited to US growers, the university is working to expand access to Canada.
*Photos courtesy of University of Minnesota
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