NAFDMA members on Youtube

NAFDMA members are one creative bunch.

Bonnie and Dick Swank from Swank Farms in California have a new commercial out to advertise their fall season. Enjoy!

Spotlighting NAFDMA's next generation: John Mills

Spotlight on John Mills - Bowden SunMaze.
John is one of the many younger NAFDMA farmers that came back to their family farms to diversify into farm direct marketing and ag tourism.

The Bowden SunMaze can be found at http://www.sunmaze.ca/

At the Bowden Sunmaze John has tried to develop activities for the whole family to create a unique attraction within the Alberta Ag tourism industry.

The Farm hosts the only Sunflower Maze in Western Canada, along side a traditional corn Maze, U-pick flower farm and New this year - U-pick Vegetable Garden.

During the August Long Weekend they showcase thier u-pick flowers. They have developed a Lily Festival which in 2008 accounted for 1/5th our yearly attendance.

Exciting for the farm in 2009:is the launch of our new campaign the "U-pick Dinner".

"We are kicking off our U-pick Vegetable Garden with focus on Eat Fresh, Eat Local and Eat Seasonal," shares John. "Visitors will be able to choose from a collection of recipes made from ingredients which are available from our U-pick vegetable Fields."

This is the Bowden SunMaze's 4th season in operation and will their 4th year of membership with NAFDMA

"It was through conversations at the 2008 NAFDMA conference which opened my eyes to the potential of Farm Based Events," tells John. "This led to the begining of the Lily Festival and a Fall Pumpkin Festival in 2008 which resulted in a double in farm attendance that year."

John's most unforgettable NAFDMA memory...."I remember as being a 1st time member of NAFDMA I was a little uncertain of how I would be received and of what others would share with me at my first conference. After the first couple days I realized that we "NAFDMA Members" were not in competition with one an other and everyone was welcome to share and help assist in any problems I had encountered the year before."

Thank you John and we will see you in Lancaster!

NAFDMA members sharing and learning at Huber's Orchard July 2009

Rob Leeds reports on the NAFDMA Advanced Learning Retreat 2009

Rob Leeds with Leeds Farm was fortunate enough to attend NAFDMA's Advanced Learning Retreat (ALR) this past July at Huber's Orchard and Winery in Starlight Indiana.

Rob is a long time NAFDMA member who has spent many years on the NAFDMA board. Rob has assisted in the planning and execution of many NAFDMA events. He has seen it all. Well almost all....

Q: Rob, what stood out for you at this year's ALR?

Rob: There were several highlights this year.

• The session on hosting weddings and events- it was great to see how it was done. The lesson covered everything from what brides/event planners look for in a location, the booking procedure, kitchen prep to the delivery of the product. The session had a lot of practical advice, of trying out ideas before investing dollars, what inside information to tell people, contracts used and handling billing. It was a complete lesson in how to develop a business to host events and weddings
• The school tour session. This was a good overview of how the Huber's ran school tours. We picked up some great ideas during the discussion on sound systems. Jan gave us copies of her teacher letters and marketing material. This type of information really helps farms as they are trying to improve there school tours.

Q: What types of operations took part this year?

Rob: We had very different types of operations attending, from small farmer's market vendors to farms looking to branch outside of the fall season to large farms doing year round food sales

Q: What three things were the hot-topics this summer?

Rob:

• The Recession. The discussion was how were farm markets going to take advantage or minimized the impact of less disposable income. Several of the discussion revolved around the reduced ability to travel during this summer's vacation season. This was seen as an opportunity.
• Liability of the play areas- Someone had an issue with the jumping pillow. This once again brought up the issues of how much risk an individual operator is willing to take.
• Next Generation- Several of the farms sent their next generation family members. It was great to see! There was a lot of discussion with them about how they became interested in the farm and if they were going to stay on.

Q:In your mind, how do NAFDMA members, like the Hubers exemplify the NAFDMA spirit?

Rob: The NAFDMA spirt is about sharing. I always had a lot of respect or Jan and Greg but the amount of information they shared at the workshop was more than anyone could expect. The sharing of Teacher letters, marketing material, sample contracts and behind the seans looks is why being part of NAFDMA is so important. The quality of the Huber operation and the willingness of Greg, Jan and the rest of the Huber family and staff to share is what the NAFDMA is all about. Truly a NAFDMA WOW!

NAFDMA Member Spotlight: Wood Orchard Market

Wood Orchard Market is run by Janice and Steve Wood, and Jeff Wood.
They have been apple growers in Door County , Wisconsin since 1955.

About 15 years ago the Woods started planting a new apple variety that they felt had marketing promise. In 1996 they built a retail outlet in the County to be ready to sell these new apples.

Since that time they have expanded their operation by adding a bakery and more sales area. They now get about 25% of thier sales from each of the following 4 categories: gifts, specialty foods, bakery items, and fruit (that they grow).

Wood Orchard Market is open daily May thru October for the summer tourist season in Door County .

"All winter we worried that the current economic environment would not be conducive to our retail business. So to enhance our curb appeal and first impression of people driving by, we designed new landscaping for the front yard of the market", shares Janice.

The new landscaping will include apple shaped pedal cart tracks, and an 8’ high fiberglass apple. (Both the pedal carts and the fiberglass apple were ideas we came away from NAFDMA conferences over the years).

The Wood's have been members of NAFDMA since the St Charles , Illinois conference (1994).

They have had lots of good NAFDMA memories over the years. But I think what stands out is the opportunity for Steve’s sister from Phoenix and Steve and me to travel together to beautiful cities in North America . Traveling and learning in Boston , Victoria and most recently beautiful Savannah.

Visit the Woods at www.woodorchard.com