Ah, Minnesota!

One of our state representatives sends out a weekly update -- these are usually pretty neat to read as he has a trivia question as well as a summary of new legislation, both passed and items coming up for vote. Last week, Representative Howes had some fun facts about Minnesota. Did you know....

We're number one in child well-being, home ownership, and access to health insurance.
-Minnesota is ranked first in the nation in child-well being in 2007
-Minnesota is ranked first in the nation in home ownership in 2006
-Minnesota has the lowest rate of people without health insurance

We're number one in voter turnout, Fortune 500 companies per capita, and production of medical devices.
-Minnesota is ranked first in voter turnout for the 2006 election
-Minnesota is ranked first in Fortune 500 companies per capita
-Minnesota is ranked first in production of medical devices according to a study by the University of Massachusetts.

We're number one in sugar beets, sweet corn, green peas, and turkeys.
-Minnesota ranks number one in production of sugar beets, sweet corn, green peas and turkeys

We're number one in ACT scores, the percentage of adults with a high school diploma, and number two in the country in eighth grade math scores.
-Minnesota has the highest average ACT test scores in the nation at 22.5, of states where substantial numbers of students take the ACT test
-Minnesota ranks first in percentage of residents over age 25 with high school diplomas at 93%

We're near the top in E-85 pumps, wind energy, renewable energy, and recycling.
-Minnesota is ranked first with 320 E-85 fuel stations
-Minnesota ranks third in wind energy installed capacity
-Minnesota ranks fourth in ethanol capacity with a 2005 production of nearly 496 million gallons
-Minnesota ranks second in recycling at 43.2 percent

We've been judged the most livable, the healthiest, the most generous, and the hardest working state in the nation.
-Minnesota ranked as America's second most livable state in 2007 and has ranked first or second every year since 1996
-Minnesota ranked second in the nation in 2007 for the healthiest population and has ranked first or second every year since (oops...he didn't fill in the year!)
-Minnesota ranks among the most generous states as a percentage of those who give to charity
-With 74.6% of eligible workers in the labor force in 2004, Minnesota had the highest labor force participation rate among all states

Pretty cool information, hm? While in town today, I picked up a postcard that has signs one is from Minnesota. I found myself laughing at and relating to most all of them!

*The weather is usually 80% of your conversation (well, my kids are my main topic!)
*When you say "down south" you're referring to Iowa.
*Snow tires come standard on your car
*"Perkins" was the only hangout option in high school (okay, so I didn't go to high school here...and we don't have Perkins in PR...but they are ALL OVER the state!)
*You assume when you say "The Cities" people know where you're talking about (Minneapolis/St. Paul for those of you scratching your head)
*Your town has an equal number of bars and churches (I think it was the same in Newton Falls, too...)
* People from other states love to hear you say words with "o"s in them
*You have gone trick or treating in 3 feet of snow
* You've not only walked across a lake, you've driven across one
*You get mad at people who think Fargo is in Minnesota


So, there you have it. Probably more than you've ever known or wanted to know about Minnesota. But doesn't it make you want to come visit? Especially knowing we also have the BEST quality and tasting produce grown anywhere...right here at Carter's Red Wagon Farm? Well....not right now...give us a few more months!