Conferences
AFMA 2010 Conference, AGM, and Awards Luncheon
The Alberta Farmers' Market Association annual general meeting and conference will be held on February 18, 2010 in Calgary. For more information
click here and to register
click here.
The AFMA Awards Luncheon will be held at noon on February 18, 2010. For details about the award categories and to nominate someone or yourself,
click here.
The Board of Directors has three positions available for election. For information about nomination criteria and how to nominate someone or yourself,
click here.
Take a look at our agenda and get excited about our speakers!
CONFERENCE AGENDA
8:00 am Meet & Greet & Registration
8:30 – 10:30 Donald Cooper, Keynote
About Donald Cooper, MBA, CSP, HoF.
Donald doesn't just talk about it; he has actually done it...and done it well! He has been both a world-class manufacturer (Cooper Sporting Goods) and an award-winning retailer. Over the past 18 years he has helped thousands of businesses around the world to add more real value to their customers' lives...and more dollars to their bottom line.
For his unique ability to inform, challenge and inspire even the most cynical business audience, he has been inducted into the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame and been awarded the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation. This is the highest international designation in professional speaking.
“Farmer's Markets...The Next Generation” by Donald Cooper
There is more interest in fresh food, nutrition and buying locally today than ever before. More and more, people want a “relationship” with the food that they eat and the people who produce it...and people want an experience.
Well run Farmer’s Markets are flourishing all over North America and around the world. So, how do we create the experience, the relationships, the desire to buy and the delighted repeat customers that will make our markets even more successful?
Donald Cooper, one of Canada’s leading retail and business coaches, will share his clear insights and best practices from around the world as he guides us all into the next generation of excellence and prosperity.
If you grew up playing sports in Canada, you’ve had Donald’s last name on some part of your body. His family business, Cooper Sporting Goods, became a world leader and a Canadian brand icon. Now, Donald works with business people like us around the world to create compelling customer value and extraordinary experiences.
BONUS: Following this program Donald has agreed to be available for an additional hour for round-table discussion with our members to help them to re-think, refocus and re-energize their business to create compelling customer value and bottom-line effectiveness.
10:45 Annual General Meeting
12:00 pm Awards Luncheon
1:30 – 2:45 Donald Cooper, Keynote
3:00 Up to Date News – Panel
· Farmers’ Market Guidelines
· Labeling
· Funding Opportunities
3:30 – 4:30 Round Table Discussions
Dinner on your own
7:00 pm FOOD TODAY, TOMORROW, TOGETHER
Red & White Club, McMahon Stadium (included in full registration)
“Food...The Next Oil?” by Wendy Holm
Food Today Tomorrow Together
As Canadian communities stretch to equip themselves for a rapidly changing world, concerns with food security, food sustainability and food sovereignty are suddenly "on the table". Consumers want assurances that their food is safe.
Shoppers who only a short time ago thought of food as coming from the store increasingly want to know where and how it was produced. There is a growing segment of consumers who now want to feel some sort of "relationship" with the farmer who grew it. Canadians who eat for a living are finally waking up to the fact that farmers are important. Can good public policy be far behind?
Come listen to Canadian Agrologist and farm columnist Wendy Holm talk about why emerging public focus on food is happening "just in time" and what communities can do to support it... For more information download the
poster.
About Wendy Holm
An Agrologist and award winning farm journalist, Wendy has covered stories at the forefront of Canadian policy since the early 1990’s, picking up four national journalism awards since 2003.
The 2007 wimmer of an International Cooperation Award for sustainability work inCuba that brings together Canadian and Cuban dairy farmers, Holm also teaches a Cuba-based University of British Columbia course to Canadian students on sustainability. For the past two years, she has been Vancouver-based NGO Sustainable Cities’ Senior Project Associate for Cuba.
A twice-honoured Queens Medalist (1993, 2002) and BC agrologist of the Year 2000, Holm is a strong and provocative speaker who will challenge our perceptions of sustainability and, through stories and fact, passion and humour, leave the audience empowered and wanting more.
Friday, February 19th
8:30 am – 4:30 Market Manager Training
8:30 am – 12:30 Business Planning Session
Past Conferences
Step It Up...today for tomorrow!
Wednesday and Thursday
February 18 -19, 2009
Black Knight Inn, Red Deer, Alberta
Co-hosted by:
Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association
& Alberta Farmers' Market Association
Step it Up 2009 will be two days packed with enthusiasm and information which will tickle your senses, gear you up for the exciting season ahead and plant some seeds for the future! Conference sessions have been developed for farm direct marketers, farmers' market managers, vendors and supporters. If you are an old hand, a newcomer or considering opportunities, Step It Up is for you!
Conference Agenda
Wednesday, February 18
9:00 am | Continental Breakfast & Registration
9:00 am - 4:30 pm | Exhibit Hours
10:00 am | Step It Up Conference Opens
10:30-11:30 am | Opening Keynote Address
Jane Eckert, Eckert Agri-Marketing, St Louis, MO
"Knowing the Direction You are Heading Will Grow Healthy Profits"
Most farmers and farmers’ market managers today are familiar with using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to lay out the farm fields or to reach an address by car.
Now, marketing consultant Jane Eckert realizes that there is also a GPS for laying out your business path to achieve healthy profits. In both cases, GPS is essential to tell you how to reach your desired destination.
Recognized with the Hall of Fame Award in 2008 by the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association for her knowledge of the industry, keynoter Jane Eckert will be talking about a different GPS system for direct farm marketing, and how you can use this technology to keep your business headed in the right direction!
11:30 am-12:30 pm | Lunch and Alberta Farmers' Market Association Annual General Meeting
1:00-2:30 pm | Sessions A & B
Session A - Jane Eckert "Today's Town Square - The Internet"
A website isn't just important, it's mandatory for a successful farm marketer. In today's world, this is the new "town square" for meeting your customers and telling them about your produce and activities on the farm. A well-designed site can make a big difference in cash flow, whether you use it to sell products or to promote on-farm events. Beginning with a specific identification of your target audience, this session will look at online examples that enable you to define step by step what elements successfully give your customers what they want to see. You'll also learn some of the most important writing and design tricks you should know to help your website place higher on search engine rankings.
Finally, Jane Eckert will share with you effective e-newsletters, and how you can target your messages to your loyal and best customers. This session is designed to put your business as the "talk of the town."
Session B - Brent Warner on Cross-Canada Farmers' Market Research
Brent Warner of Victoria, BC, Executive Director (Interim) with Farmers' Markets Canada, will share the results of the cross-Canada research conducted on farmers' markets and farmers' market customers. Brent will share how Alberta compares to the rest of Canada and will also talk about the trends and opportunities in farmers' markets as a result of this research.
2:30-3:00 pm | Coffee Break, Networking, Visit Exhibits
3:00-4:30 pm | Sessions C & D
Session C - Farmers' Markets: Issues & Briefs
Join a panel discussion on a variety of topics pertinent to farmers' market managers and vending. Marie Beliveau with Alberta Health and Wellness will talk about food safety in our farmers' markets from a public health perspective. Bill Zurawell from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will share the latest information on food labelling and nutrition guidelines. Brent Andressen, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, will talk about his Seed to Salad program. This program helps bridge the urban-rural divide with school children.
Session D - Communicate, Cooperate, Collaborate
This lively panel will certainly stimulate your imagination and pique your curiosity! We've tied together three different entrepreneurs from three distinctly different areas in Alberta! Each panel member will weave a key to success story focusing on communication, cooperation and collaboration. Panel members include:
Jessie Radies of Original Fare dot com and owner of The Blue Pear Restaurant, Edmonton. Original Fare is a select group of independent restaurants committed to promoting, preserving and protecting culinary diversity. Original Fare restaurants are avid supporters of regional cuisine and local products. Jessie will share thoughts about local foods, branding and the ins and outs of dealing with restaurants.
Heather Porrill, Bay Tree, AB is a founding member of Learn Agrifood Network, board member of the Branding the Peace Country Association, farm direct marketer and ag tourism operator. Heather owns and operates Star Bright Farm in Bay Tree. Old fashioned gourmet caramels are her specialty! Heather will share first hand collaborative experiences with the Peace Country branding initiative, how it has affected her business and keys to her personal success in branding her products and farm.
Colleen Cyr of The Bloomin' Inn Ranch in Pincher Creek, AB will share her unique farm direct marketing perspectives. Bloomin' Inn is an award winning Centennial Ranch which features 12 rooms, with accommodations for up to 43 guests. It's also the home of High Country Meats, selling meats naturally raised at Bloomin' Inn Ranch; The Pantry, an in-house farm store selling Alberta food products; Our Country Store and a Scrapbooking Store. This diverse operation communicates, cooperates and collaborates!
6:00 pm | Banquet and Evening Program
The Power of the Land features some of the Peace Country's finest visual artists, writers and musicians who combine narrative, poetry, music and visual imagery to create a story about the land that will touch you in ways that you may not expect.
Award Presentations: The Honourable George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has been invited to attend and present the Industry awards.
Thursday, February 19
8:00 am | Continental Breakfast, Networking, Visit Exhibits
8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Exhibit Hours
9:00 am | Step It Up Conference Opens
9:30-11:30 am | Round Table Discussion
Don't miss the opportunity to share ideas, network and learn from experts! These round table discussions promise to be a highlight of the conference, giving delegates the opportunity share success stories, make new friends, solve problems and take home scores of profitable ideas!
11:30 am-12:30 pm | Lunch and Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association Annual General Meeting
1:00-1:45 pm | Keynote address
Jim Hole of Hole's Greehnouses and Gardens
"Building Customer Loyalty & Beyond"
Jim will share his thoughts on achieving top notch customer service, building customer loyalty and developing connections. He will also talk about the future of Hole's and their new facility.
Jim Hole is everyman’s gardener. He works nearby at his family’s greenhouse and garden centre in St. Albert, where he divides his time between writing about what he does and doing what he writes about. Explaining what makes plants tick is Jim’s specialty, and he does it without ever losing sight of the beauty and wonder that make gardening enjoyable. In addition to writing bestselling books, weekly newspaper columns and a twice-yearly magazine.
Jim’s current challenge is the relocation of Hole’s Greenhouses to a new state-of-the-art, environmentally sensitive facility next to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park—the first of its kind in North America. To read more from Jim Hole, visit www.enjoygardening.com.
1:45-2:00 pm | Coffee Break, Networking
2:00 pm | Closing remarks and Conference Wrap up
Delegates from last year said...
"All in all, I found the conference awesome!!
Great speakers, great people, great planning committee. Thank you for having me!
"Even if I have heard the messages before, I think a conference forces us to stop and analyze our business and even gives an opportunity to redirect, recharge. I find I 'hear' the message differently and respond differently depending on 'at what point we are in our business."
"Great to combine two associations for this conference."
"This year's conference was excellent!"
"Networking is so important, there could be more in a day!"
"Great time!"
NAFDMA 2009 conference
The 2009 Networking Association for Farm Direct Marketing and Agritourism (NAFDMA) Convention will meet February 1-7 in Historic Savannah, Georgia. Go to their website to find out more.
Awards
2009 Emerald Awards
The Alberta Emerald Foundation is currently seeking nominations for the 2009 Emerald Awards for environmental excellence. The Awards recognize excellence in preserving, protecting, enhancing and sustaining our environment and provinde an opportunity to share environmental successes so others can learn.
You are encouraged to submit a nomination to recognize a special volunteer, demonstrate leadership in your industry or honour your team for seting an example Organizations and individuals can nomiate themselves or someone they know.
The deadline for nomincations is February 27, 2009. All nominations are posted on the Emerald Foundation website, complete with contact information, in an efort to increase recongintion and the sharing of great environemtal stories to a broader audience.
To submit a nomination or search the list of past recipients please visit www.emeraldfoundation.ca
Best Practices Awards
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for the Best Practices Awards. Three customized business development packages valued at $10,000 each will be awarded to three applicants who submit their business plan for a new and innovative idea that will add value, diversify or strengthen their existing farm business. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on January 8, 2009.
In addition to a chance to win a Best Practices Award, all applicants will receive a free registration to the AgChoices 2009 Conference, where the three Grand Prize winners will be profiled. The conference will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at the Capri Centre in Red Deer. Be sure to attend the conference to experience big ideas and celebrate the spirit of innovation!
Go to www.agriculture.alberta.ca/renewal for more information or call the Ag-Info Centre at 1-800-387-6030 for an application and details.
This program is funded through the Agricultural Policy Framework, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that aims to make Canada the leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible agriculture production.
Market Motivator of the Year Award!
ENTER TO WIN!! If you currently publish a market or vendor newsletter, here’s your chance to be rewarded for this priceless market communication! Enter your market newsletter today to win the MARKET MOTIVATOR AWARD! The winner will be announced at the STEP IT UP CONFERENCE 2009. Send one copy of your newsletter to:
Darlene Cavanaugh
Alberta Farmers' Market Association
Room 201, 7000 - 113 Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Or by Fax: (780) 422-7755
Submission deadline: December 1st, 2008
Market Manager of the Year Award
Nominate your Manager Now!
In order to nominate your manager for the Manager of the Year award to be announced at the step it up conference in February, 2009, download the nomination form and send it in.
Nomination deadline is December 1st, 2008.
2007 Awards
Market Manager of the Year Award
We know that Alberta has some of the best farmers’ market managers to be found and thanks to the sponsorship of the Co-operators Leduc Branch, AFMA honoured the 4th Annual Award to not 1, but 2 Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Managers.
The 2008 Market Manager of the Year Award was awarded to two outstanding Managers - Ann Toderian of the Rycroft Farmers’ Market and Cornell Rusnak of the Beverly Towne Farmers’ Market in Edmonton
Market Motivator Award
We know that some of our Alberta Approved Farmers’ Markets use newsletters to communicate important information with their vendors. AFMA acknowledges the farmers’ markets that use this handy tool by running this annual contest.
Congratulations to Doreen Gunderson, Medicine Hat Farmers’ Market for creating a fantastic newsletter called “Vendor Vittles”