Become a Member

Members of the Minnesota Cider Guild are cider producers, orchard owners, allied trade professionals, and cider enthusiasts working together to promote and develop a market for cider. We work to advance cider’s contribution to our food culture and strengthen our community’s role as an engine for agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism across Minnesota. Our ultimate goal is to help our cider earn recognition as a distinctive, world-class beverage.

Levels and Benefits

Whether you’re a cidery, industry associate, or enthusiast, membership to the Minnesota Cider Guild comes with tremendous benefits. See which level fits you best and join us today

CIDERY MEMBER

Individuals and businesses licensed to produce cider in Minnesota and who produce at least 500 gallons per year of cider from fresh-pressed apples or pears in Minnesota are encouraged to join us. To be eligible to join as a “Minnesota Cidery Member,” which is the only voting membership level, your organization must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be a licensed Minnesota winery

  • You must produce a minimum of 500 gallons of cider per year (cider as defined by the TTB)

  • Your cider must be made in Minnesota from fresh-pressed apples or pears

  • You must hold a valid TTB winery permit

Note that there is one vote per member cidery. If there is more than one organization involved in a cider production facility, the one holding a majority interest is eligible for Minnesota Cidery membership.

Annual dues are based off of your previous year’s production volume.

  • 500 - 5,000 gallons: $100.00

  • 5001 - 25,000 gallons: $200.00

  • 25,001 - 75,000 gallons: $400.00

  • 75,001 gallons or more: $600.00

Dues Process:

All memberships will end/renew on July 1

  • Members will be notified one month before the renewal is due (June 1)

  • Any membership renewals not received by Aug 1 in a given year will be considered lapsed.

    • Lapsed members will be removed the the MNCG website

    • Lapsed members are not eligible to vote in board elections

By joining the MNCG as a “Minnesota Cidery Member,” you are certifying that your organization is eligible for voting membership according to the criteria listed above. Applications are accepted when approved by the Guild Board of Directors. Applicants will be contacted regarding their status in a timely manner.

Benefits:

• Minnesota Cider Guild voting privileges
• Participation in Minnesota Cider Guild organized promotional events
• Inclusion in collective marketing materials
• Invitation to annual meetings, networking and industry events and showcases
• Regular communications, including updates on industry data, state and federal advisories, and grant opportunities
• Board of Directors eligibility
• Active support of the cider industry generally and in Minnesota.

CIDERY-In-planning member

Individuals and businesses preparing to enter the cider industry. While Cidery-In-Planning members do not have voting rights, we are extremely excited to have you join the Minnesota Cider community!
• Participation in Minnesota Cider Guild organized promotional events
• Invitation to annual meetings, networking and industry events and showcases
• Regular communications, including updates on industry data, state and federal advisories, and grant opportunities
• Board of Directors eligibility
• Active support of the cider industry generally and in Minnesota

Orchard Member

We welcome all individuals and businesses that produce apples in Minnesota. Orchard Members do not have voting privileges.

• Participation in Minnesota Cider Guild organized promotional events
• Invitation to annual meetings, networking and industry events and showcases
• Regular communications, including updates on industry data, state and federal advisories, and grant opportunities
• Access to members-only online library of information and research
• Active support of the cider industry generally and in Minnesota.
• Orchard Memberships are available to orchards in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. Other orchards are welcome to join as Allied Trade Members.

Allied trade member:

We welcome all individuals and businesses that produce apples or are involved in any way in the Cider industry locally or nationally. Allied Trade Members do not have voting privileges.

• Participation in Minnesota Cider Guild organized promotional events
• Inclusion in collective marketing materials
• Invitation to annual meetings, networking and industry events and showcases
• Active support of the cider industry generally and in Minnesota.

cider ENTHUSIAST MEMBER: (Not currently available)

Any individual 21 years of age or older may become an Cider Enthusiast Member. While Enthusiast Members do not have voting privileges and are not eligible to be Officers or Directors, there are still benefits to membership.

Benefits:

• Participation in Minnesota Cider Guild Promotional Events
• Exclusive offers from Minnesota Cideries
• Automatic upgrade to VIP status when purchasing general admission tickets for MCG events.
• Invitation to annual meetings, networking and industry events and showcases
• Active support of the cider industry generally and in Minnesota.
• Exclusive Cider Enthusiast Member T-Shirt