Early 1800s- Johnny Appleseed begins planting apple orchards from seed, laying the foundation for ‘American” apples.

Mid 1800s- Apples trickle into the state with European settlers. Success with these imports is spotty at best.

1858- Minnesota becomes a state.

1860- Horace Greeley’s “I would not live in Minnesota because you cannot grow apples there," quote sparks competitive rage among Minnesota gardeners (MSHS).

1865- Some 150 Russian apple varieties are imported for breeding stock, with minimal results.

1866- 20 apple Minnesota grown apple varieties are entered at the state fair. Several of the growers join together at the fair to found what will become the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS).

1878-1889- Minnesota’s first experimental farm opens in Excelsior with the specific goal of developing apples, but is abandoned after eleven years with no new introductions.

1908- The University of Minnesota’s fruit breeding farm is established on 78 acres between Chanhassen and Victoria.

1920-1922- The first products of the fruit breeding farm are released to the public. These include the Haralson apple (1922), the Minnehaha apple (1920) and several plumb and cherry varieties. The apples, especially the Haralson, become a major success.

1944- The fruit breeding farm releases its first table grape cultivars; Moonbeam, Blue Jay, Red Amber and Bluebell. Bluebell is the only one still readily available.

1940s-1960s- The UofM fruit breeding program continues to introduce more successful apple varieties including the Prairie Spy, the Fireside, and the Regent.

1967- The fruit breeding farm changes its name to the Horticultural Research Center, and expands it’s focus to include ornamental plants, vegetables, and woody plant propagation.

1976- The Minnesota Grape Growers Association forms. Its goal is to foster the development of Minnesota wine production (MGGA).

1977- Elmer Swenson and the University of Minnesota co-release two mildly successful wine grape varieties (Hoover and Hemstad).

1978- The HRC merges with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

1997- Minnesota’s first truly hardy wine grape, Frontenac, is released, within a few years half a dozen wineries are doing business in Minnesota, and the grape can be found being grown across the country.

2002 and 2004- Two white wine grapes, Frontenac Gris and La Crescent are put on the market.