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!