North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Convention
v. (grÖ west) a direct marketing journey of innovation and inspiration through Alberta's historic Cowboy Trail
| REGISTRATION |
Francis and Colleen Cyr’s Bloomin Inn Ranch and Country Inn is a
homestead farm in Pincher Creek. Their children, Joseph and Jenni, represent the 4th
generation on the farm. At 640 acres, the ranch is smaller than the
average 970-acre Alberta farm. The Cyrs will tell you that
diversification saved this family farm.
Marketing their farm products at farmers’ markets, customers were
inspired to come to the farm. Once there, they were moved by the 
sheer
beauty of the location to stay. That spurred the Cyrs to build onto
the house and open the country inn. Honoring their farmers’ market
roots, the Cyrs still vend at Millarville Christmas market.
The Frontier Town built ‘in-house’ by this very creative family will
inspire you. Positioned in the scenic hills of Alberta’s Rocky
Mountains, the Country Inn sleeps 35.
A retreat center and scrapbooking store complement the Inn. The meat,
antique & Christmas shops along with the ‘all natural’ cattle,
sheep, chicken and turkeys work together to create a truly unique ranch
two hours from Calgary.
The retreat center can hold workshops for 40 scrapbookers. “Hookers,
scrappers and stitchers” – rug hookers, scrapbookers, quilters - are
the most common retreat bookings. Weekends are booked two years in
advance all year around.
Boundary Ranch
Located
in the midst of the beautiful Kananaskis Valley, Boundary Ranch with
its western entertainment centre and restaurant provides the perfect
setting for some grass roots NAFDMA learning. Rick
and Denise Guinn pride themselves on their three-generation ranching
and ag tourism history. We will experience a true Canadian Rockies
ranch in one of Alberta’s most visually beautiful places. You’ll leave
with a clearer understanding of how to create pageantry in a rustic yet
classy manner.
Broxburn Vegetables
Classic farm direct! Building on their two acre greenhouse business in Lethbridge, Paul and Hilda deJonge exemplify farm direct marketing diversification.
From the conversion of an existing barn into a
retail outlet to the addition of a café they are meticulous with a keen
attention to detail. Their clean and inviting facility supports their
farm fresh image and endorses their local inspired cuisine. A
modern kitchen and a journeyman Red Seal trained chef allows Broxburn
to offer a variety of value-added and signature products, all created
from Broxburn vegetables. 
The deJonges started with a u-pick and farmers’ market sales. They
still vend vegetables and baked goods at the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market and Millarville Farmers’ Market. Paul is a member of the
Lethbridge Farmers’ Market Association. He believes their presence at
the markets keeps them connected to the community and is another
marketing tool that draws customers to the farm.
The Chinook Honey Company is an apiary sitting in the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rockies. As owners of a small family operation, Cherie and Art Andrews have created a diversified farm direct business moving from wholesale into processing, ag tourism and farm retail sales. Construction for their upcoming Mead production facility should be complete by the time we visit. We will buzz into their honey bee interpretive center and gift store near Okotoks and are guaranteed to leave a whole lot sweeter.
CVC Farms
It’s
only been 5 years since Cindy Sinnott turned her open fronted sheep
barn into a quaint retail building using reclaimed materials. The farm,
with its focus on birds and bird supplies, is a result of much research
and travel. After identifying a bird opportunity, Cindy pursued her
dream and CVC Farm was hatched in Pincher Creek. The target audience is the
‘Birder’, the 50+ Albertan, nearly retired, dedicated to feeding birds
(using 50 lbs every two weeks) and landscaping for our feathered
friends.CVC has several profit centers: a bird-themed retail center; group functions areas; workshop space; Tipi B&B (located across the creek on Peigan camp winter historical site) and garlic production.
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