Milk was designated the official state drink of Minnesota in 1984. All State Drinks
Minnesota produces 9.7 billion pounds of milk a year (6% of the nation’s total) and ranks sixth in dairy production among the states.
The pink and white lady slipper (Cypripedium reginae) was designated the official state flower of Minnesota in 1967. All State Flowers
Lady slippers (also called moccasin flower) can live up to 50 years but develop slowly, taking up to 16 years to produce their first flower. Since 1925 this rare wildflower has been protected by Minnesota state law (it is illegal to pick the flowers or to uproot or unearth the plants). Lady slippers are listed as threatened and endangered by many states.
Minnesota designated walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) as the official state fish in 1965. Walleyes are a popular game fish found throughout Minnesota's lakes and rivers. All State Fish
Walleyes are most at home in the large, clear, cool lakes of Minnesota’s northern forests. Their eyes are sensitive to light, so they go to deep, dark waters during the day and move to shallow areas at night. Minnesota’s record walleye weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces. They are called walleye because their eyes reflect light.
Minnesota adopted the lovely monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as the official state butterfly in 2000. The monarch was promoted by a fourth-grade class at Anderson Elementary School in Mahtomedi, MN. All State Insects
The name Minnesota is based on the Dakota Sioux word "Mnisota" (the native name for the Minnesota River) which means "cloudy water" or "sky-tinted water." All State Name Origins
Many counties and locations in Minnesota are derived from native American languages including Cree, Sioux and Dakota.
Minnesota designated wild rice as the official state grain in 1977. All State Foods & Agricultural Symbols
Wild rice (Zizania aquatica or Zizania palustris) is an aquatic grass not related to common rice.* Wild rice is native to North America and grows predominantly in the Great Lakes region. For many years, nearly all the wild rice produced in the world came from Minnesota, and most still does.
Minnesota designated the Honeycrisp™ apple (Malus pumila cultivar Honeycrisp) as the official state fruit in 2006 (suggested by a class of students from Andersen Elementary School in Bayport). All State Foods
The Honeycrisp™ is a cross of Macoun and Honeygold apples developed by the University of Minnesota's apple breeding program. Honeycrisp™ apples are now grown across the United States, Canada, and as far away as South Africa and New Zealand.
Minnesota designated "Grace" as the official state photograph in 2002 (Minnesota is the only state that has recognized a photograph as a state symbol). All Arts & Drama Symbols
The 1918 world-renowned photo depicts an elderly man bowing his head to give thanks. The photograph was taken in Bovey, Minnesota by Swedish immigrant Eric Enstrom.
Minnesota designated the blueberry muffin as the official state muffin in 1988. Wild blueberries are native to northeastern Minnesota, growing in bogs, on hillsides, and in cut-over forested areas. All State Foods
Minnesota formally adopted the French phrase "L'Etoile du Nord" (which means "The Star of the North") as the official state motto in 1861. All State Mottos