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Continuing a Legacy of Partnership
Continuing a Legacy of Partnership
Minnesota growers have been central to the University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program since 1878, helping bring cold-hardy apple varieties to market and building their reputation with consumers. Licensing provisions for First Kiss® and SweeTango® give Minnesota growers access to these varieties, recognizing the important role local orchards, farm stands, and wholesale fruit producers play in Minnesota agriculture. As a land-grant university, UMN remains committed to supporting growers of all sizes and strengthening rural communities. With the launch of Superior Fruit Innovations (SFI), this partnership continues through a more streamlined system designed to better serve growers and advance future innovation.
Complimentary SFI Membership
Complimentary SFI Membership
– Exclusively for MN Growers –
– Exclusively for MN Growers –
To support adoption of the new program, all Minnesota growers will receive a complimentary 10-year SFI membership for those joining during the first two years of the program. This membership provides:
Access to all current SFI varieties
Rights to future University of Minnesota releases
A single, streamlined licensing platform
Email superiorfruit@umn.edu for the free membership link for MN growers!
Transitioning to the SFI Program
Transitioning to the SFI Program
Minnesota First Kiss® and SweeTango® programs will be transitioned to SFI management.
New Minnesota growers (operating orchards within MN) that have not been previously licensed for First Kiss and SweeTango will be able to access licenses for these varieties. For more information please contact superiorfruit@umn.edu.
Legacy growers with existing licenses will be transitioned into the SFI program.
This transition will include:
Termination of existing variety licenses
Enrollment in SFI with a free 10 year membership
Issuance of new SFI licenses with reduced royalties
Importantly, the new licenses will include a reduced royalty rate of $1 per tree, per year for:
First Kiss® (‘MN55’)
SweeTango® (‘Minneiska’)
This change reflects both the importance of Minnesota growers and the University’s commitment to supporting your long-term success.
All impacted growers will be contacted directly with instructions to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. Please reach out to superiorfruit@umn.edu with questions or to get started.
First Kiss®
First Kiss®
Minnesota growers in the program will continue to receive:
Access to the First Kiss™ trademark for fruit grown in MN by a MN resident
Marketing rights under the established First Kiss brand
This ensures consistency in the marketplace while strengthening the overall value of the variety.
SweeTango®
SweeTango®
SweeTango® remains a unique Minnesota-only direct market opportunity, recognizing the state’s foundational role in its development and commercialization.
Under the SFI program:
Minnesota growers will retain exclusive access to SweeTango® trees
Express SFI licenses will be introduced soon for new growers to sign up
Existing growers will have their licenses incorporated into the new SFI system
Why Minnesota Growers Are Unique
Why Minnesota Growers Are Unique
Minnesota growers are not just license holders - they are essential collaborators in innovation.
As a land-grant research institution, the University of Minnesota's mission is to:
Deliver research-based solutions that directly benefit the public
Support local agriculture and rural economies
Ensure that innovations developed in Minnesota create value within the state
This mission is reflected in the SFI program through:
Preferential access
Streamlined licensing
Long-term investment in grower success
The role of MN growers in trialing, producing, and promoting these varieties has been critical - and will continue to shape the future of apple innovation.
Learn More
Learn More
If you have questions about your license transition or SFI membership, please reach out directly at superiorfruit@umn.edu. We are committed to making this transition clear, simple, and beneficial for all Minnesota growers.
Building on decades of success, we look forward to the next chapter - together.
Building on decades of success, we look forward to the next chapter - together.
Sign up for the SFI Newsletter
Sign up for the SFI Newsletter
Sign up to hear from a lively group of growers and fruit enthusiasts! You will receive updates about new fruit varieties, hear from growers in the network, and keep up with all the fruit happenings at SFI and the University of Minnesota.
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