The Farmers' Alliance in Minnesota thrived from 1886 to 1892. During this time, the organization achieved the most progress toward its political goals in the state. These included greater regulation of the railroad industry as it impacted the wheat market, elimination of irregularities in the grading of wheat, and minimization or elimination of the middleman in the wheat trade.

The Wealthy apple was the first apple to thrive in Minnesota's humid continental climate. Horticulturalist Peter Gideon grew it first in 1868, after years of trial and error with various apple varieties.