BC Association of Farmers' Markets - Grow With Us!

Market Matters

Winter 2008  Vol.3
BCAFM

What's in
This Issue:

  • President's Report
  • 2008 Conference Announcement
  • BC 150 Years Program
  • Membership Renewal
  • Market Photos Wanted
  • BCAFM Contacts
  • Introducing Sher Hackwell — 150 Years Market Coordinator

President's Report

Mary Forstbauer, President BCAFM

Happy New Year! 2007 has been an exciting and successful year for BCAFM. We started the year in debt and unsure of how we were going to pay off the bills. We had a dedicated board that chose not to walk away and give up. We had over 60 markets that also trusted and had faith by paying their memberships. We also had a record number of associate memberships. We received some government grants for special projects because people like Donna Anaka and Brent Warner believe in the BCAFM. To all I say thank you for the support you have given your board of directors.

We move into 2008 with money in the bank both for the society and for special projects. Our AGM/conference will be held in Abbotsford at the same time as the Pacific Ag Show (Feb 14-16). Please come and hear exactly what our successes were and the exciting events planned for 2008. The board of directors is elected to look after the work that needs to be done for the members but Remember BCAFM is YOU!

I look forward to reacquainting with some of you and meeting others for the first time.

"Come grow with us"

— Mary Forstbauer, President BCAFM

2008 Conference Announcement

The BC Association of Farmers' Markets (BCAFM) is pleased to announce its 2008 BC Farmers' Market Conference and Annual General Meeting. This year's conference will be held on February 14th, 15th and 16th at Peardonville Hall, just around the corner from TRADEX, and at same time as the Pacific Agriculture Show*! Don't miss this opportunity to learn and network with other farmers' market managers, vendors, chefs and more!

Whether you are a market manager, a vendor or someone who would like to learn and participate in the development of BC farmers' markets, we welcome and encourage you to attend our 2008 conference. Delegates at this year's conference will receive updates on important issues such as insurance, health regulations and funding, and will also learn from peer success stories. If that's not enough, delegates who attend this year's conference will also learn how they can take advantage of great BCAFM member programs like the BC food and nutrition coupon program, the BC 150 years celebration, the chef friendly farmers' market program and EAT BC!

Watch for your conference information package and registration form in the mail next week. Registration for this year's conference is only $100, which includes Friday's traveler's supper and all Friday and Saturday conference sessions and workshops. Friday and Saturday's conference package includes breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks. One day conference registration is $50. Markets are encouraged to send more than one representative to attend this year's conference.

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE 2007 BCAFM BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The BCAFM is your society. We have board of directors seats available for 2008. If you would like to apply for a 2008 BCAFM Board of Directors position, please e-mail Mary Forstbauer at info@bcfarmersmarket.org or phone 604-794-3999 before February 1st, 2008. We appreciate your continued support and participation.

*Pacific Agriculture Show

Please note that to attend courses at the Pacific Ag Show you must register. Day passes are $9 at the door but only allow you to attend the Trade show not the Speakers. More information about the Pacific Ag show and the Growers Short course can be found at: www.agricultureshow.net and www.agricultureshow.net/pdf/Growers_Short_Course_layout.pdf.

Registration for LMHIA can be found at: www.agricultureshow.net/pdf/2008_LMHIA_web_reg_form.pdf. Registration for the short course is only $60 and must be paid in full by Feb 1, 2008. (If you have paid the $100 for the BCAFM you can slip over to the Peardonville Hall for your meals or you are able to purchase them with the course.)

For more information, or to register, please visit www.bcfarmersmarket.org or phone Jaclyn at 604-575-4944.

BC 150 Years BC 150 YEARS Program
To Honour the Past … Celebrate the Future of Farmers' Markets in British Columbia

You are invited to Participate!

In 2008, British Columbia will be celebrating 150 years of cultural diversity, community strength and personal achievements since the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858.

BC150 Years is about tapping into something bigger than all of us.
We have a lot to celebrate — our people, our history and our achievements.

Each Farmers' Market in every community in BC is unique and we are inviting you to use your imagination to create a legacy for BC Farmers' Markets in 2008.

potatoes

You are encouraged to create your own memorable event that ties in with the theme of honouring the past and celebrating the future at your Farmers' Market.

A BC150 Years 'Feastival' — a word deliberately chosen to describe event(s) that will create an experience that showcases your Farmers' Market and/or its involvement in the community:

  • Celebrate the food, people and culture of your local area
  • Highlight local foods grown or processed by farmers
  • Showcase products and recipes of years gone by

All activities must tie into the theme of celebrating 150 years of achievement in British Columbia and should focus on the market.

Your market is encouraged to work with other industry partners such as local restaurants, wineries, museums, arts centres, Chambers of Commerce, Spirit of BC Committees or other associations and businesses to increase the profile of your BC150 Years celebrations.

Paid in full members of the BCAFM by January 31, 2008 will:

  • automatically receive the Guidelines and Application form for the BC 150 Years Program
  • be invited to apply for limited funding to the BCAFM
  • receive accompanying materials needed to plan, organize and carry out your own 2008 Farmers' Market celebration
  • have the opportunity to work with Sher Hackwell, the BC 150 Years Market Coordinator, who will work with you on ideas for events, marketing and sponsorship possibilities
  • receive numerous event ideas to get the creative juices flowing

Benefits from Participating:

  • Create greater profile
  • Increase community awareness
  • Create closer community ties
  • Sell more products
  • Create excitement among vendors
  • Increase in communication among participating markets
  • Receive some financial assistance for creating a BC150 Years celebration at your Farmers' Market
  • Affiliation Programs

Opportunities for Awareness:

There are significant opportunities to promote your event and help you connect with a much wider audience. We want to know how you plan to celebrate this milestone and we'll help promote your event — throughout the province, across the country and around the globe. Not only will we list your event on the BCAFM website, when you register your event with the BC 150 Years website, they'll feature it on the BC150 Years calendar of events and promote it on the Tourism BC website. B.C. residents and visitors will be able to search these events by community, date and event type.

BCAFM Website www.bcfarmersmarket.org
BC 150 Years website www.bc150.gov.bc.ca

Stay tuned for more BC 150 YEARS information and we look forward to working with you on this exciting Farmers' Markets opportunity!