President's Report:
Jon Bell
Fall is supposed to be that quiet time of year when the garlic is planted, the fields are tilled and there are just a few chores left to do, but no, this fall has been incredibly busy for your BCAFM executive. The Association is taking on new challenges in the area of promoting Farmers' Markets to politicians and working with the political process. If you remember, last year in Whistler, Elizabeth and I did a presentation to a group of MLAs, the BC Provincial Finance Standing Committee. The result was a recommendation that municipalities assist their local markets in finding permanent locations. This year we presented again to the same committee. They have taken our suggestion of re establishing the BuyBC program of a few years ago, and made it into one of the Provincial recommendations. Hopefully, if the BuyBC Program returns market venders across the province will benefit from provincial support for encouraging consumers to buy local.
Our next event was the annual review of the MarketSafe program, chaired by Toni Burton of Camosum College. Of concern was the low uptake of the program and we discussed ways of making the program more available to all parts of the province. If you are not aware of the program or need more information please contact us or your local EHO (that is responsible for your market). Georgia Stanley, the BCAFM's Administrative Coordinator, has written a great summary of our next event...... presenting to the Growing Forward 2, Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food Canada in Ottawa. The committee allocates funds to such groups as the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, which in turn provides grants to support many of our programs. It was quite a difficult task to create the report, but even more challenging to do a presentation to a group of MPs and to work through an English/French translation in an earpiece. It was daunting but we have learned a great deal about operating at that level. The trip was funded by Ottawa. Hopefully I can pass along lots of helpful information to others who are now scheduled to go before the committee, such as market vendors Kevin and Annamarie Klippenstein of Cawston, who were just chosen "Outstanding Young Farmers of Canada" — congratulations!
BCAFM Board Planning Meeting, from left to right: Donna Anaka (BC Ministry of Agriculture), Georgia Stanley (BCAFM Admin Coordinator), Kate Sutherlnad (Facilitator), Elizabeth Quinn (BCAFM Manager) and Cat Majors (BCAFM Board — Armstrong Farmers' Market) On November 11-13, the BCAFM Board met in Vancouver to discuss objectives and priorities for the 2012 season. The list is long as we have many tasks ahead of us, such as maintaining our core funding, ongoing projects and new initiatives to assist your markets in being more productive and more valued by your community.
Here's to a restful winter holiday to you and your families.
All the best
— Jon
Jon Bell, President BCAFM
president@bcfarmersmarket.org
www.bcfarmersmarket.org
Manager's Report:
Elizabeth Quinn
The 100 km/h winds have subsided, the sun is shining and my front yard has just barely escaped flooding. Living on the river in Ladner has made me much more aware of how the climate and weather influence my well being. Will the river flood its banks this time? The weather also affects my life because my husband makes his living as an organic farmer and he worries when the weather is terrible. Then the fall comes along and he wonders what to do with the unbelievable abundance. Needless to say we are eating lots of squash.
December is a time of planning for the New Year and reflecting upon the one that has passed. We have had a very busy past 12 months, developing a five year strategic plan, changing Presidents twice, securing $75,000 in funding from the BC Ministry of Agriculture, completing the Farmers' Market Nutrition & Coupon Program resource kit CD and wrapping up the Selling at BC Farmers' Markets Case Study.
Research from the Case Study, which was lead by Dr. David Connell revealed that farmers' markets are only one of up to five other marketing channels used by farmers and that farmer vendors are earning anywhere between $2,500 and $200,000 selling at markets. If you would like to read more about the findings of this study, you can download the full report at www.bcfarmersmarket.org/ind/bizcase.htm.
BCAFM Manager, Elizabeth Quinn (left) at the Urban Farmers Forum in Vancouver with Joyce Murray (centre) Liberal MP for Vancouver Quadra and Moira Teevan (right) Vancity — who is a Gold Ribbon Sponsor of our 2012 Conference in Courtenay. This past year the BCAFM Board and Staff hosted our annual conference in Richmond with over 26 speakers including Joel Salatin, an internationally acclaimed local food advocate. Hosting Joel Salatin allowed us to attract an incredible amount of publicity, including a half page article in the Vancouver Sun. This move raised the profile of markets in the Lower Mainland and reached up to 2 million people.
We also held the 2nd annual Farmers' Appreciation week in August — with 25 farmers' markets hosting events across the province. Each celebration was unique and paid tribute to the community's local farmers.
In the fall we secured $7,000 in funding from Growing Forward to host three workshops in three regions of the province to assist markets in increasing their capacity. You'll hear more about these workshops to be held in the late winter. We have also begun work on a new website and vendor marketing tool with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, which will host a searchable database of farmers' markets, vendors and products.
2011 also marked the second year of our partnership with the Overwaitea Food Group (OFG). Determining whether the partnership serves our respective goals and values is a year-to-year process for both the BCAFM and OFG. The purpose of the partnership has been to work together to raise awareness of farming and farmers in BC. Although people shop weekly at grocery stores and farmers' markets they may not be conscious of the farmers who grow the food. The BCAFM and OFG share the goal of wanting to have a strong and vibrant local agricultural sector. We may seem like unlikely bedfellows but partnering with OFG has made all the projects mentioned in the previous paragraphs possible. I am grateful to them for making this leap to support us because it was definitely a stretch for the OFG executive to see how two groups who compete for shoppers could work together. I view this partnership as a way of reaching out to mainstream shoppers and raising their awareness of where their food comes from. That being said, findings from the Selling at BC Farmers' Markets Case Study highlighted the fact that farmers' markets participate in the direct farm marketing sector: we do not and cannot compete with retail grocery chains. Of course, once again the BCAFM board and OFG executive will need to reflect on this past year and discuss whether the partnership is serving both of our respective goals and values.
Another promising note came to us in a recent report from the Bank of Montreal, which stated that the growth in the farmers' market sector is here to stay, as consumer concerns about health, the environment and food safety are some of the drivers that will stimulate future growth in the Canadian agricultural sector. BMO's Director of agricultural banking in BC, Dave Dieleman said, " The consumer move toward locally grown produce is playing a small, but increasingly significant role in that growth. It's promoting value-added activity throughout the food supply chain, and the growth of local farmers markets."
Over the last year we have been able to leverage each one of your market's $200 – $300 membership fees to create projects and benefits worth nearly $200,000. And as some farmers' markets thrive, we are also very aware of others who are struggling, to attract new farmers and customers and struggling against the challenges of a short growing season or ongoing inclement weather. At the BCAFM the Board of Directors and staff continue to ask ourselves: what can we do for our member markets? What can we do to improve the capacity of markets? What can we do to raise the profile of markets? And how can we insure that farmers' markets are truly farmers' markets and maintaining a high degree of integrity and transparency? We are looking ahead to 2012 with these driving questions in mind.
As we look forward into 2012 we will be working on many projects including:
- Hosting the annual conference — "For the Love of Farmers' Markets" in Courtney on March 2nd – 4th
- Launching two new research projects funded by the Investment Agriculture Foundation and the Government of Canada — a Best Practices Guide and a proposed new provincial Economic Impact Study,
- Expanding Farmers' Appreciation Week across the province
- Organizing three regional workshops
- And launching a partnership with Vancity and more.
Thank you for all of your incredible work this year — together we continue to provide British Columbians with fresh, healthy local food direct from the source. And with each market day that passes awareness of "where our food comes from" is growing.
From everyone here at the BCAFM — Jon, Tabitha, Bob, Patrick, Rachelle, Cat, Denise, Kandace, Hillary, Georgia and me — we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. Here's to local food and farmers' markets!
BCAFM Conference Keynote on Integrity at the Market
by Georgia Stanley
At times of growth, like we've experienced in the farmers market sector in the last 10 years, its important to revisit your values and make sure that you are growing in the right direction. We wanted this idea of integrity to be central at our 2012 Conference, as it has been a re-emerging theme over the last year and was also a key part of the Farmers' Market Industry Strategic Plan for 2011 – 2016. That's why we've invited Stacy Miller, the Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) in the States to be the Keynote Speaker at our 2012 Conference in Courtenay.
Stacy and her Board of Directors at the FMC are in the process of exploring various models for maintaining integrity and transparency at farmers' markets across the US. At this years' conference Stacy will share the FMC's findings on the various mechanisms and governance structures that farmers' market association around the US are using to uphold their vision of farmers markets.
The goal of maintaining integrity as we at the BCAFM see it is really about ensuring transparency at the market level. Enforcement of province-wide policies is not only unrealistic but also, not really effective, as it wouldn't take into consideration the diverse qualities of markets around BC — their size, available resources, region, climate etc. For this reason, the BCAFM is more interested in cultivating a strong sense of trust between farmers' market boards, managers, vendors and consumers. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this theme at the Conference in Courtenay!
More About Stacy Miller: BCAFM Conference Keynote
As the Keynote Speaker at our 2012 Conference, Stacy Miller brings a wealth of experience in the farmers' market sector. She is an experienced farmers' market vendor, manager and researcher and has produced everything from asian mustards to zinnias. She works with managers, farmers, economic developers, and other members of the farmers' market sphere towards what she and the FMC call their triple bottom line:
- Farmers earn fair prices for the fruits of their labour by selling directly to consumers.
- Consumers gain access to fresh, nutritious, local produce.
- Communities regain a figurative "town square," experiencing the many positive outcomes of foot traffic and animated public space.
The Farmers Market Coalition, as you many know is an incredible source of information and I encourage you to explore their website and youtube channel for great articles and free webinars http://farmersmarketcoalition.org
BCAFM Influences Recommendation to Renew BuyBC Program
by Georgia Stanley
This is the second year that the BCAFM has been granted the opportunity to make recommendations on the provincial budget. With the theme of this year's budget being "Families First", we wanted to share how farmers' markets benefit families and the BC economy by:
- Supporting food security by creating a demand for locally grown food
- Providing fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to 175,000 families and contributing to healthy communities.
- Generating economic benefits to rural and remote communities
- Providing over 1000 farmers with a venue to make direct sales to consumers
- Providing markets for 2,000 small business owners, in addition to over 1000 farmers.
In addition to this we highlighted the importance of farmers' markets as education and health hubs, where the public can gain awareness of local agriculture, seasonality and gain access to fresh fruits, vegetables, farm fresh meat and cheeses. In order to leverage and grow the benefits of farmers' markets in BC, we made the following recommendations to the committee:
- Allocate funding towards a Farmers' Market Nutrition and Coupon program to increase the consumption of BC fruits and vegetables by low-income families in BC.
- Allocate funding towards providing coupons to school age children to encourage them to take their parents to shop at farmers' markets.
- Renew a Buy BC program to encourage the consumption of BC products.
We are pleased to report that our recommendation to renew a Buy BC program was included in the Final Report on the Budget 2012 Consultations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. See the excerpts from the Report below and be sure to leverage these recommendations when starting up a Farmers' Market Nutrition and Coupon Program in your community, setting up a farm to school program or looking to fund another project to promote the consumption of provincially grown food.
Direct from the Report on the Budget 2012 Consultations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (PDF, 590 KB)
Branding Program for BC Products
Some submissions stated that additional investment in domestic market development and promotion will help to increase the market share of provincially grown food. The Committee also heard how the creation of a BC brand was recommended in the government's 2008 report, British Columbia Agriculture Plan: Growing a Healthy Future for BC Families.
Buy BC and BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program
The Committee heard other suggestions on ways to expand the market for BC farm products. In addition to calling for the implementation of the Buy BC program, the BC Fruit Growers' Association urged the Committee to recommend funding so that the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program is applied to all schools throughout the province. Currently 1,266 public and First Nations schools participate in the program.
Outstanding Young Farmers of Canada Award Goes to One of Our Own
Congratulations to Annamarie and Kevin Klippenstein of Cawston BC!
British Columbian organic produce farmers and Nova Scotian dairy farmers are Canada's 2011 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). Annamarie and Kevin Klippenstein of Cawston, British Columbia and Geoff and Jennifer Bishop of Round Hill, Nova Scotia were chosen at the OYF annual national event held recently in Brandon, Manitoba.
The Bishops and Klippensteins were chosen from the seven 2011 regional finalists. The Klippenstein's farm 40 acres in Cawston BC and sell at 6 farmers' markets in BC.
It all began when Kevin and Annamarie Klippenstein fell instantly in love with a five-acre property in Cawston, British Columbia, which became the foundation of Klippers Organic Acres. In 2001, while both working in the hospitality industry, the Klippenstein's knew they wanted to produce certified organic produce. Annamarie was raised on a farm (she is the daughter of past BCAFM President, Mary Forstbauer), and Kevin had no farming background, but that didn't slow them down.
To find a market for their produce that paid well, the Klippenstein's began selling direct to consumers at Vancouver-area farmers markets. Based on customer feedback, they expanded their orchard operation to include vegetables and free-range chickens. Production of storage crops such as garlic, squash, onions, carrots and beets has increased off-season sales through Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) boxes. Social media has helped the Klippensteins promote the farm and their products.
Their farm has grown to 40 acres of organic production. Cover crops protect the soil from erosion and build soil structure, and predator bugs provide pest management. Solar panels have been installed on their drying facility and for hot water in the apprentice building - home to their on-farm apprenticeship program that every season teaches 4-10 students the techniques of organic farming.
Kevin is chair of the Organic Farming Institute. They are both very involved with the Vancouver Farmers Markets, their community and the activities of their four children, aged 6-13. Kevin and Annamarie's goals for the future are to continue farming sustainably, educate consumers on food and pass their knowledge to young, aspiring farmers.
Completing its 31st year, Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers' program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year.
The BCAFM Goes to Ottawa
by Georgia Stanley
In October we received a call from the office of Alex Atamanenko, the MP for BC Southern Interior. The call was regarding an opportunity to appear in Ottawa before the Growing Forward 2, Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to speak on the theme of "Innovation". On October 25th we received a second call at the office asking if we would like to appear before the Committee on November 2nd in Ottawa. Jon Bell, the BCAFM President agreed to go despite the incredibly short notice, saying "How could I turn down such an opportunity to address over a dozen Members of Parliament to promote Farmers Markets in BC." Needless to say Elizabeth and Jon worked tirelessly the week before to prepare the presentation.
November 2nd arrived and off Jon went to Ottawa, where he sat at the witness table beside the Quebec Dairy Farmers and CropLife (a biotech funding agency), both of whom had multiple people present to answer questions from all ten MPs (Jon recommends bringing a second person to help answer questions if we ever get this opportunity again).
The BCAFM's presentation to the Federal Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-food Canada included the following five recommendations:
- To support the establishment of permanent farmers' markets.
- To focus on strengthening Canadian domestic Markets by educating consumers.
- Improve information technology and access to training in rural areas.
- Scientific research that is scaleable and leads to readily useable and adaptable products and technologies for farmers
- Enhance domestic farm production in coastal BC to assist farmers with growing year round and then selling at farmers markets year round or exporting to other areas within Canada.
Overall the presentation was well received. And despite feeling somewhat small compared to the other presenters, Jon reflects, "was going the correct thing to do? From my view point......absolutely! And if the opportunity comes again we have to grab it. This is working at a different level and if we want our association to influence the future of farmers' markets we need to be at the table."
I have attached the full presentation if you would like to read it over. We'll also be sure to let you know when the Committee's Final Recommendations have been released.
Abbotsford Farmers' Market to Investigate Income Enhancement Strategies For Farmers' Markets
By Bruce Fatkin, Abbotsford Farm & Country Market Manager
The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market is wrapping up our eighth season in downtown Abbotsford. In that time, we have been able to build a solid foundation for the market and create an environment where vendors and customers can interact and where local citizens can gather socially in a positive, upbeat setting. However Abbotsford wishes to be much more intentional about looking after the market, and the non-profit society that runs it as a business.
This fall we secured funding, which will be used to research income enhancement strategies employed by other markets around BC, Canada and the rest of North America. The dollars came from a joint Federal/Provincial fund set up to help farmers assess their businesses and plan for sustainability through better fiscal management, diversity, market development and other activities. To attract the $30,000.00 for this project, we had to convince ten farms involved with the market to apply as a group ($3,000.00 per farm). They knew from the outset that they would be applying for a project designed to strengthen the market by increasing it's stability and making it better equipped to perform its core function of providing a weekly outlet for their products as well as products from other farmers in BC. We were surprised at how eager they our farmer vendors were to assist in this way. We had no trouble finding ten willing participants.
After we've completed the research on possible income enhancement strategies, our Board of Directors will sit down and prioritize the list according to a strategy's: potential to turn a profit, fit with the market, and whether or not they will be manageable for market management, volunteers and society to undertake. The market will then bring in a contractor with business planning expertise to develop implementation plans for the top priority items.
The goal of the project is to increase our market's annual income by about 50% from its current level so that the society can fulfill desired management, marketing and infrastructure goals without reliance on outside funding, as is now the case.
The Abbotsford market is still in a strong growth stage; annually adding to our vendor and customer participation by about 25%. However, it will still be a number of years before we can rely on vendor fees, memberships and a few other small income sources to achieve our desired goals each year. We are hoping to accelerate this process by rolling out a few of the strategies identified by this project in time for the outdoor season next spring.
We will be happy to share the results of the research and business planning with all BCAFM member markets after the project is completed. And we may be on the agenda to talk about the project at the BCAFM Conference in Comox this March. We will be nearing the end of the planning work by then.
Meanwhile, we would appreciate any input into income sources that your market uses or ideas you've seen to add to the list. Contact Bruce Fatkin at fatkin@shaw.ca or 604-996-1542.
What are we legally required to do as non-profits in BC?
by Elizabeth Quinn
Do you and your Board ever wonder what you are legally required to do as a non-profit society in BC? Here are a few tips from Margaret Mason of Bull, Housser and Tupper, a lawyer with 25 years of experience specializing in Charities and Non-profits.
- With power comes responsibility Beyond electing a board of directors that represents their values and priorities, your members have very little responsibility within the organization and as a result, must leave decisions making up to the board directors.
- A board cannot make financial decisions and resolutions via email — you'll have to call a meeting in person or over the phone. All directors must be invited to participate in the meeting and attendees must be informed of what will be discussed beforehand.
- All meeting minutes and decisions made by the Board must be recorded, approved and signed by the President and Secretary and entered into a binder.
- Calling the question does not end the debate. It is a common misconception that debate on a motion must stop when a member calls the question. What calling the question really means is - are we ready to end the debate?
- The Board chair is allowed to vote just the same as all the other board members. It is sometimes believed that the Board Chair can only vote if a tiebreaker is needed, but this isn't the case.
- Board self assessment and group assessment tools are available FREE on the Charity Village website www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rbod52.html
- Non-profits are only required to audit financial statements if their by-laws state that they are a reporting society. Review your by-laws to see whether it says that you are a reporting society. That being said auditing financial statements is considered a good practice.
- A Special Resolution requires a 75% majority in order to be passed.
- Canada Revenue Agency forms to file each year: T2 Corporation Income Tax Return (even though you are not a corporation) and T1044 Non-Profit (if you end the year with more than $200,000 in the bank)
Helpful Policies to have:
- Conflict of interest — ie. Board Members and Market Managers who also sell at the market
- Board Conduct — What do you expect of your Board Members?
- Privacy policy — you might consider asking staff, volunteers and board members to sign a confidentiality waiver.
- Employment and Harassment Policy
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