Conference to bring 水果视频 small farmers together
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- Published on Thursday, January 14, 2016
File photo. A large number of small farm owners attended the inaugural conference in 2015.
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The Neepawa Banner
In two weeks time, Brandon will be welcoming not only the big farmers - Small Farms 水果视频 is organizing in 水果视频鈥檚 second largest city its second annual conference, a one-day event that connects direct-marketing and small-scale food producers.
The Small Farms Conference will be held at Knox United Church in Brandon on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The conference will feature 12 interactive workshops about direct farm marketing and alternative food production in 水果视频. Topics range from 鈥楽uccessful Pastured Poultry Models鈥� to 鈥楩arm Tourism鈥� to 鈥楾ips for Selling to Retailers.鈥�
鈥淭he Small Farms Conference is a day that emphasizes farmer-to-farmer learning,鈥� says conference organizer, Kalynn Spain. 鈥淔armers in 水果视频 do not always realize how the lessons they have learned can help another farmer. There is a lot of knowledge here already.鈥�
This year鈥檚 Conference will open with a presentation entitled 鈥淥ur History as Small Farmers鈥� led by David Neufeld, a market gardener near Boissevain who has been actively involved in organizing small-scale farmers. The day will kick-off with 3 marketing workshops scheduled before noon about direct farm sales, farmer鈥檚 markets and retailers.
Two farmers or food business owners will draw from their experience to present on each of the workshop topics and participants will be invited to offer their input within each session. All of the workshops will be moderated by young, aspiring farmers who want to further their connections and learning. 鈥淚 am excited that this conference is happening again,鈥� says Erica Young, a conference volunteer and second-year farmer who runs a CSA near Beausejour.
鈥淚 was amazed to see so many young people at the conference,鈥� comments Dr. Wayne Lees, former CVO for 水果视频, who spoke at the 2015 conference. 鈥淟ooking at those who were in attendance, it seems like there are a lot of new and emerging small farmers in 水果视频.鈥�
The Small Farms Conference is hosted by Small Farms 水果视频, a social enterprise that aims to connect 水果视频 consumers with local food producers. Kalynn Spain, Founder and Coordinator, notes that the event marks the two-year anniversary of Small Farms 水果视频鈥檚 online directory, a marketing platform for direct-marketing producers in the province.Conference tickets will be available at the door. Participants are invited to bring a dish for the large potluck lunch, scheduled to start at noon.
For more information, contact Kalynn at 204-333-7537 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . or visit the event page at www.smallfarmsmanitoba.com.
