FARMED Membership

Benefits include:

• Networking
• Monthly Meetings
• Cooperative Marketing Website links
• Event posting
• Product listings
• Tour listings
• Agri-webinars

FARMED Membership Form

FARMED Newsletter
March 2009

FARMED Newsletter

FARMED UPDATE
Presented at Farmers H Institute AGM

Date:            October 29, 2007
Presented by:            Heloise Dixon-Warren (Moose Meadows Farm)
            FARMED President

FARMED Facts

1. “FARMED” had its first meeting in May, 2006. 
2. Incorporated as a Non-Profit Society in May, 2007
3. Legal name = “North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association”
4. “FARMED” = Farming, Agriculture, Rural, Marketing, Eco, Diversification;
5. Current membership = approximately 20 agri-businesses and organisations; family operated, small, non-commodity based farms
6. Membership is as diverse as are the agri-businesses in area.

Goals of FARMED

1. To cultivate sustainable, progressive and diverse agricultural endeavors in the North Cariboo;
2. To promote North Cariboo products and experiences associated with rural living through tourism and other marketing opportunities;
3. To support the local agricultural sector through shared educational, marketing and networking opportunities and other initiatives; and
4. To foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture in the North Cariboo with consumers and tourists.

Membership Requirements

To become a member of “FARMED”, a person and / or organisation has to be:

1. a primary or secondary agricultural producer or have an interest in supporting the agricultural sector,
2. ecologically and socially conscious in terms of the environment and the humane treatment of all living things,
3. willing to meet and adhere to the “FARMED” Code of Standards,  and
4. Interested in enhancing the diversification of agriculture in the North Cariboo Region.

2006 – 2007 Projects

Project 1: Marketing Caravan

1. Hosted a Canadian Farm Business Management Council Marketing Caravan Workshop – March, 2007; Keynote Speakers: Brent Warner (Ministry of Agriculture and Lands) and Charlie Touchette (North America Direct Farmers Market Assoc.)
2. Quesnel was 1 of 5 venues across Canada; second highest registrants
3. Partnered with Community Futures and BC Agri-tourism Alliance / BCATA
4. 90 people attended – persons traveled up to 8 hours to attend; it was an incredible day!!

Project 2: Farm Tour Brochure

1. 25,000 printed; Brochure for 2007 – 08;
2. 12 Participants – Primary & Secondary Agri- Businesses (e.g. farms, farmers market, caterers);
3. 11” * 17” brochure- includes a map and description / contact information of each participant;
4. Accessed funding through Investment Agriculture Foundation (BC AgriTourism Initiative);
5. Sold sponsorship space and corporate advertising to compatible organisations & businesses to obtain matching funds;
6. Created a template for use in other areas.

Project 3: Agritourism Circle Tour

1. Agritourism Circle Tour - “Field and Forest to Fork” June 26, 2007, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
2. Bus tour to 4 “FARMED” member sites, a luncheon with keynote speaker (Brent Warner, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands);
3. Partnered with Quesnel Visitor Info. Centre 
4. Funding accessed through Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC and Cariboo Regional District;
5. 45 participants on tour including:  agricultural producers, municipal, regional and provincial representatives, tourism, agriculture and economic diversification agencies.

Current Board Members

Heloise Dixon-Warren, Moose Meadows Farm, President
Monika Robert, Walkabout Homestead, Vice President
Lynda Atkinson(Sisters Creek Simmentals), Secretary/Treasurer
Lori Fogarty, Cottonwood House Historic Site
Christine Piltz, Kirby Hill Farm
Mary Rossman, M/M Ranch
Lenore Yorston (Australian Ranch)

** if you are interested in becoming involved with FARMED, please let us know