North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Convention
v. (grÖ west) a direct marketing journey of innovation and inspiration through Alberta's historic Cowboy Trail
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For more information: Charlie Touchette, NAFDMA, 413/529-0386
Note: Digital images of the conference logo are available in 2-color or black and white versions. Please e-mail Kelly@WhiteLoafRidge.com to request a logo or photos.
Sonia Meyer, former market manager of the Millarville Farmers’ Market and a regional director of the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association, has been named Farmers’ Market Manager of the Year by the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA). This award is one of the most eagerly anticipated awards each year. Meyer, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was honored at NAFDMA’s annual convention, which was held in February in Calgary, Alberta.
The other two finalists were Larry Johnson, manager of the Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison, Wis., and Ann Louhela, president of the Nevada Certified Farmers Market Association.
The three finalists participated in a special session at NAFDMA’s annual conference, the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference. NAFDMA members nominated their peers for the award, and NAFDMA members and a panel of judges voted for their favorites. Voting was based on the finalists’ presentation during a special general session, a tabletop display and a handout. The winner was announced at the Awards Banquet during the conference.
Farmers’ markets are an important part of NAFDMA, and the Farmers’ Market Manager of the Year Award is one way that NAFDMA recognizes and encourages excellence in the industry.
Although Sonia is young, and a relatively new member of NAFDMA, she demonstrated her skill and knowledge to her NAFDMA peers. She also appreciates the learning opportunities at NAFDMA’s annual conventions.
“The experience and wealth of valuable information gained last year in Texas was amazing,” she says. “The pre-conference bus tour was a must, from discussions on the buses to the many people I met along the way.”
Sonia was most recently the general manager and farmers’ market manager at the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society, the first time the Ag Society combined both positions. Under Sonia’s management, vendor sales and market revenue saw significant increases.
During her years of management at both the Millarville Farmers’ Market and Lethbridge Exhibition Park Farmers’ Market, Sonia implemented many creative marketing ideas. She encouraged and rewarded vendors for excellence in booth design with a Vendor of the Month Program. She also implemented marketing ideas such as the farmers’ market coupon book, door prizes of vendor products, advertising on the backs of city buses, meet the vendor newsletter for customers, children’s activities and special events.
Sonia was previously honored in 2004 as the first winner of Alberta’s Outstanding Farmers’ Market Manager of the Year Award.
Larry Johnson
As manager of the Dane County Farmers’ Market, Johnson manages one of the top farmers’ markets in the country, and it’s said to be the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. All products sold at the market must be grown and/or produced by the vendor in Wisconsin. A typical Saturday draws 20,000 people to the market, which is located on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol in downtown Madison.
“Membership in NAFDMA has helped to develop and maintain connections with other people with similar issues and ideas,” says Johnson, who has been market manager since 2003. “It’s fun and exciting to hear NAFDMA pop up in many conversations and presentations.”
In addition to the Saturday outdoor market, there’s also a Wednesday outdoor market, and the market moves to the nearby Monona Terrace Convention Center in November and December. From January to mid April, the market is held at the Madison Senior Center.
“We believe that it’s important to create vending opportunities for growers and to promote local food to customers in the community,” says Johnson. “We gladly share our rules, bylaws, forms and experiences with other farmers’ markets, both locally and around the country, in support of their own farmers’ markets.”
The Dane County Farmers’ Market was also recently honored with a Best of Madison Business Award 2007.
Ann Louhela
Louhela became manager of the Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market in 2003 and served in that capacity for three years. The market is the largest in Nevada and has a weekly attendance of more than 15,000 people.
“Fresh, healthy food is important to our community, and local farms are the best place to find it,” says Louhela. “I credit NAFDMA with so much of what I’ve learned about protecting our state agriculture. It was an honor to present on the progress we’re making in Nevada.”
As president of the Nevada Certified Farmers Market Association, Louhela partners with farmers, market managers, local businesses and government agencies to preserve Nevada agriculture. She co-founded and manages Nevada's first and only indoor farmers market, extending the market season to coincide with the harvest of Nevada produce. She is also co-founder of the Local Food System Network, an organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of locally grown food. Her current project is the development of a year-round farmers market facility that will also house small, independently owned businesses. It is a cooperative project involving Nevada and regional farmers, local businesses and local government.
The North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is the leading farm direct marketing association in the world. It promotes and fosters the growth of farm direct marketing throughout North America. Its members support their family farms by selling millions of dollars worth of farm-grown produce directly to consumers at farm stands, farmers' markets, pick-your-own farms, consumer-supported agriculture, agritourism venues, and other ever-growing innovations in direct producer-to-consumer agricultural marketing methods. NAFDMA’s 2008 convention will be held in Wisconsin. Find out more about the organization at www.nafdma.com.
Join us for all or any part of our convention.
Each component is priced separately.
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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Feb. 12, 2007 |
Feb. 13, 2007 |
Feb. 14, 2007 |
Feb. 15, 2007 |
Feb. 16, 2007 |
Feb. 17, 2007 |
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Bus Tour |
All-Day Workshops |
Conference Sessions | |||
62 White Loaf Road
Southampton, MA 01073