Education & Resources

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CFIA Regulations on Interprovincially Traded Produce

To avoid fines follow proper regulation procedures. Read CFIA's Industry Notice. AFMA has put together an overview of CFIA's regulations.

Educational Opportunities

Canadian Agricultural Training and Educational Resouces

This bilingual database provides concise listings of training and learning programs in agriculture offered across Canada. It was developed for producers, farm managers and other workers in the agriculture sector, as well as those without any experience seeking learning opportunities. Visit their website.

University of Guelph - BSc (Agr) Organic Agriculture

"It's all about preparing younger generations for a different kind of future." Interested? Check out their website.

Gaia College

Gaia designs programs, both online and in-class, to facilitate the shift towards holistic land management and practices and the use of environmentally sustainable technologies. Visit their website here.

Agri-Food Leadership Program

The Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta and the University of Alberta's School of Business Executive Education are collaborating to offer an opportunity for emerging and seasoned leaders to learn and cultivate skills to further develop their style of leadership. Learn more here.

Lakeland College - Agricultural Sciences

Visit their website to see the wide variety of programs they offer from agribusiness and crop technology to dairy and livestock production.

The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm - Sowing Seeds

For more information on this hands-on, season-long apprenticeship-style course in sustainable agriculture visit their website.

Organic Master Gardener Course

Individuals interested in organic gardening and food production are encouraged to participate in the only Organic Master Gardener Program in Alberta.

Fleming College - Sustainable Agriculture Program

One year program starting in January 2010. Designed for beginner farmers.

For more information contact Helen Knibb 866-353-6464 ext. 1342 or hknibb@flemingc.on.ca

St. Lawrence College - Sustainable Local Food for All Canadian Certificate

Distance education certificate program designed to meet the rising interest in local food system development.

For more information visit the website.

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada

Take a look at their website to see the course being offered in Alberta and across Canada. You can also obtain a Certificate of Specializaiton in Organic Agriculture through web based courses. Courses are offered in everything from transition to organic soil fertilization to organic marketing.

Olds College

Check out their website to see the diverse range of programs focused on agriculture and horticulture.

University of Alberta - Faculty of Life, Agriculture and Environmental Science

Sustainable Agriculture Systems (BSc)

Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (Graduate)

How to be a Farmers' Market Vendor

Are you a small business looking to become a vendor? Or perhaps you are already a vendor looking for some helpful tips on being a successful vendor.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Alberta Farmers' Market Association have created an information sheet with some vendor considerations, marketing tips and helpful resources. Check it out here.

Farmers' Market Coalition Resource Library

The Farmers' Market Coalition has an extensive list of resources for farmers' markets. Check it out at www.farmersmarketcoalition.org

GFunds Online

GFunds Online is a SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) community toolkit that allows you to quickly and simply navigate all 530 Federal and Provincial technology funding support programs, and connect with other SMEs, Support Service Providers, and Program Funding Providers

Tools For Rapid Market Assessment

Thinking about evaluation? Want to do some easy surveying of either your customers or your vendors? Check out this Oregon Small Farms Technical report on doing Rapid Market Assessments.

Food Labels Made Easy

Check out this article with great information about creating food labels.

How to Become A Farmers' Market Vendor

You can download a presentation on everything you need to know to become a farmers' market vendor.

Do you have the Entrepreneurial Spirit?

Ropin the Web has Frequently Asked Questions and multiple resources on starting up a new business. Visit their website to gain access to all the great resources.

Edmonton City Market in Canadian Geographic Magazine

Edmonton's City Market is listed as one of the ten best markets across the country. Read more...

Buy Local on Route 49

Read this great article featuring two farmers' market vendors up in the Peace Country who also own local product stores. Ann Toderian is also a director of Alberta Farmers Market Association. Download article.

GO - A Culinary Community

This new book by Going Organic network is exploding with information about organic and local food. 55 profiles and more recipes from GO members-farmers to eaters "With its new book, Going Organic reminds us of this connection with the earth, with food and with each other." Brenda Frick, The Western Producer. A very special celebration of Alberta food and community $20 includes GST. Books can be ordered at www.goingorganic.ca at GO Culinary Book button

Alberta Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship Program (ASAAP)

ASAAP's Mission is to support people interested in getting into sustainable agriculture by providing on-farm experience and training through an apprenticeship style program. ASAAP also supports farmers providing training in order to contribute towards a positive and successful experience for both the apprentice and the farmer.

Download the program and farm descriptions to find out more.

Alternative Agriculture Markets in Alberta 2008

A new report has been released from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development about Farmer's Markets, Farm Direct Sales and Agtourism in the province which compares against figures from a study done in 2004. Read the executive summary or the full report and learn about how people are spending more at Farmers Markets. Farmers' Markets sales have increased in the province from $233 Million in 2004 to $388 Million in 2008 1/3 of Albertans say they will buy more locally grown food in the coming year.

Farmers Market Canada

The are roaring there way out of the gate! Check out the new national organization and all the amazing work that they are working on at www.farmersmarketscanada.ca You can also read about the IMPACT OF FARMERS MARKETS in their new research findings brochure.

Events

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Upcoming Events

Setting a Profitable Price

Interested in a practical road map for costing and pricing product? In this workshop, producers, small scale processors and agripreneurs will learn the basics of costing and pricing products and how to set a profitable price point for farm direct marketing channels.

February 3 in Leduc

March 10 in Airdrie

Marketing – What Every Rural Business Needs to Know

Whether you are a novice or experienced marketer this workshop will determine why marketing needs to be the first and foremost thing to consider when developing or diversifying your business plan. Learn to choose and implement essential marketing tactics and see how other agribusinesses use these techniques to boost their sales and profitability.

When: March 9

Where: Airdrie Agricultural Centre

Click here for more information and registration.

Buyer Aware Part III: Understanding and Engaging Consumers and Markets in Agri-Food

To confirm your attendance, email Rachel Peterson at communications@agfoodcouncil.com or call 1.866.955.3714 ext 226.

When: March 10

Where: Leduc

Capturing Opportunities in Organic Agriculture: Initiatives & Trends

Andrew Hammermeister will discuss initiatives and trends in organic agriculture.

When: 2pm March 15

To register visit CFBMC's website

Board Leadership Workshop

Get on Board, is a day-long program of engaging and informative workshops focused on board members of voluntary and non-for-profit organizations. This event will provide a variety of sessions and networking opportunities addressing not-for-profit board fundamentals and new trends. Visit the website for registration and more information.

When: March 20

Where: Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton

Funding/Grant & Proposal Writing Workshop

Community Futures and Brazeau County invite you to their Funder's Forum workshop where you will have the opportunity to meet 12 members of the Government and Private Sector. Learn about funding available for community enhancement, bursary programs, arts, agriculture, and more, as well as a 30 minute session dedicated to "writing winning proposals". Click here for agenda and registration form.

When: April 27 5-9pm

Where: Drayton Valley Rocky Rapids

The Market Express

Check out our great magazine!

View Summer 2008 - the Going Green Issue