North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Convention
v. (grÖ west) a direct marketing journey of innovation and inspiration through Alberta's historic Cowboy Trail
| REGISTRATION |
Doef’s Greenhouses
Doef’s
Greenhouses, Lacombe, is owned and operated by Joe and Helen Doef and
three of their five children. The Doefs grow peppers, cucumbers,
tomatoes and eggplant in 6 acres of greenhouses. In 2006 they began
year around production, a significant change given Alberta’s climate.
The Doefs are committed to environmentally friendly growing techniques
and food safety standards. They recently received HACCP certification
for their facility. Not only do they believe this is 
the way to do
business, their sales increase as they meet customer demands for higher
food safety protocols.
Doefs can be found at six farmers’ markets throughout the season and
the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market year-round. About 15% of their
production is marketed farm direct. The rest is sold through Alberta
grocery stores under the Pik-N-Pak and Sun Fresh Farms labels. The two
wholesale companies are owned in part by Doef. Learn why the Doefs
continue to market farm direct. See how they build mouth-watering
market displays that keep the customers coming back week after week for
their flavourful offerings.
Frontier Western Shop
Twenty-five years ago, Stuart and Brenda Derochie bought the western tack
inventory from a small 1,100-square-foot retail space in the mall. Today, they
operate more than 10,000 square feet of retail space with over
3,000 square feet of
tack and saddles in their shop in Claresholm. Their “western living” focus supplies the
western life style to its clients with everything from clothing to tack
to giftware.
With more than 35,000 catalogs printed and shipped globally once a year,
mail order is a big component of this business. Women account for
nearly 80% of their catalogue purchases. Lessons on customer
service and partnerships with local ranch vacation operations make this
a natural addition to the NAFDMA tour.
Grain Academy Museum
The Grain Academy Museum is an agriculture education center offering a unique bird’s eye view of the Canadian grain handling, storage and transportation system. We will learn how staff, retired Elevator Managers, conduct educational tours with hands-on activities and interactive displays. Watch a video on “The Way it Was.” See a working grain elevator demonstration and track an incredible model train as it journeys from the prairies through the Rocky Mountains to the terminals in Vancouver. NAFDMA train enthusiasts should get a thrill from this remarkable display.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Discover Napi, the Blackfoot icon sent to earth to show people how to
use resources on earth to survive on the land that was created. Sounds
like a great fit for a NAFDMA tour.
Cleverly camouflaged in the landscape, Head-Smashed-In is a designated
UNESCO World Heritage site. It's located in Fort Macleod. Here archeology leads us on a journey back
to the great prairie buffalo hunts. In addition to being entertained
and educated on the Blackfoot culture site, staff will introduce us to
their unique school tour programming. Simulated tipi presentations,
tipi camps and a new puppet theatre are just a few of the educational
techniques facility staff use. They incorporate history, learning,
theming and shopping to create a total experience.
Hutterite
colonies are an important part of many of the 110 approved farmers’
markets in Alberta. The High River Colony is a good example.
Established in 1982, the High River Colony is home to about 110 men,
women and children. The Colony farm direct markets vegetables through
farmers' markets and have been selling their fresh vegetables at the
Millarville Farmers’ Market almost since its inception. Their market
garden spans several acres. Careful planning and co-ordination are
required to ensure an ample supply of vegetables for the Colony as well
as farmers’ markets sales. Preparing for market day is an amazing sight
as most of the women on the Colony cooperatively harvest and prepare
the vegetables for market. Several of them also work the market. Millarville Farmers’ Market
Millarville Farmers’ Market is southern Alberta’s largest outdoor market, boasting more than 160 vendors. The Millarville Farmers' Market is renowned for its comfortable country atmosphere, original art, fine handcrafted
goods, exquisite baking and fresh produce. It is a seasonal market open from mid-June to the beginning of
October. Its three-day Christmas market is an Alberta
legend. 
Located about 20 minutes southwest of Calgary in Millarville, this country market
attracts nearly 100,000 visitors per year and is truly a destination
market. In 2005, Travelocity.ca selected Millarville Farmers’
Market as a Local Secrets, Big Finds 2005 winner.Shop at the mini-market and learn how Millarville grew from 5 vendors in 1981 into a destination market “in the middle of nowhere” today.
Join us for all or any part of our convention.
Each component is priced separately.
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
Feb. 12, 2007 |
Feb. 13, 2007 |
Feb. 14, 2007 |
Feb. 15, 2007 |
Feb. 16, 2007 |
Feb. 17, 2007 |
|
Bus Tour |
All-Day Workshops |
Conference Sessions | |||
62 White Loaf Road
Southampton, MA 01073