Upcoming webinar: NAFDMA 2009 highlights

Our own Charlie Touchette, NAFDMA's Executive Director, is this months guest presenter on the Canadian Farm Business Management Council's Ag-Webinar. Charlie's topic: Recent Revelations - The Best of NAFDMA 2009 February 23rd @ NOON EST.

Sign up now at http://www.agriwebinar.com/

The Ag-Webinar is free of charge. You will need to be at a computer to take part.

Highlights from the 2009 NAFDMA Awards Banquet and Participation Day.

NAFDMA award winners

This year the membership committee introduced a new award package. Thank you to all who entered and shared their products and ideas with us. We all learn by sharing- it's the NAFDMA way. Congratulations to all of our people's choice winners.

The 2009 Best of Show goes to the Kuipers Family Farm. Congrats!!!

Contest Winners:

1. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence web site contest is: Rosabella’s Gardens

2. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Television contest is Bowman Orchards

3. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Maze Design contest is Treinen Farms

4. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Printed Rack Card is
Robas Family Farm

5. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Employee Handbook is
The Apple Shed

6. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Promotional Innovation is
Apple Annies

7. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Printed Brochure is Kuipers Family Farm

8. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Specialty Printed Literature is
Kuipers Family Farm

9. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence School Tours is Mesilla Valley Maze

10. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Printed Newsletter is
Tanners Orchards

Outstanding NAFDMA Leadership award- Anne Holcomb

NAFDMA Hall of Fame award- Time & Jan Vala

Outstanding NAFDMA Participation Team member - Anna Lyles

Honorable Mentions
1. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence web site contest are
Dewberry Farms and Tanners Orchards

2. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Television contest are Tate Farms and Swank Farms

3. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Maze Design contest re Apple Annies and Swank Farms

4. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Printed Rack Card

are Tate Farms and AKL Maui

5. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Employee Handbook are Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard and Mesilla Valley Maze

6. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Promotional Innovation are Carolyn’s Country Cousins and Treinen Farms

7. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Printed Brochure are Gifford Barn and Hollabaugh Brothers Orchards

8. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Specialty Printed Literature are Vollmer Farm and The Rock Ranch

9. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence School Tours are
Carolyn’s Country Cousins and The Rock Ranch

10. The Honorable mention for the Celebrate Excellence Printed Newsletter is Alstede Orchards

Retailing basics

You need a signature item.

A viewing area that let's your customers watch production of your products boosts sales. People buy the process. It's food theatre!

Merchandizing with antiques and old farm products helps create a authentic experience in your store.

If you don't have an 'no-sugar' section. It's time to get one.

Tell your customers how to use your product.

Cooking demonstrations push product sales. High end appliances - Viking is the sponsor.

We all know sampling works. Try before you buy.

We played "pass the baby". The future of NAFDMA.

Experiencing culinary tourism

At Wolf Mountain Winery we learnt how to create a high-end food experience. Appeal to all the senses. Spectacular views and great food.