Farm Management Clubs
(marketing and production clubs)
Also known as production clubs and marketing clubs, farm clubs exist in many different forms and address and focus on a vast number of subject areas relevant to club members. The clubs usually consist of 15 to 50 members who share experiences and knowledge on various subjects. Speakers, including industry specialists are often called upon to present information on key issues and developments in a variety of areas of interest to the club. Regular meetings, clear goals and active members are key to the success of these clubs.
Quebec
Farm clubs are extremely popular in Quebec. Numerous clubs have been created and operate under the "Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA)". Members have access to a wide array of specialized services in various commodities and regions of the province. For more in-depth information on farm clubs in the province follow the links in the Quebec section of this site.
Ontario (site in French only)
A farm management group is an independent group of agricultural producers working together to find ways to enhance their technical and financial management capabilities. The group accomplishes this by retaining the services of one or many professional agrologists specializing in farm management. Affiliated with the Fédération des Groupes Conseil Agricole du Québec (FGCAQ), these farm management groups emerged in Ontario in 1989. Two farm management groups are located in Eastern Ontario and one in the Temiskaming region. (Prescott Farm Management Group, André-Demers Farm Management Group, Temiskaming Farm Management Group)
All three management groups are served by a single office in partnership with l'Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens.
Interested in establishing a farm club? The following documents provide valuable information to help you get started.
"Farm Management Clubs - A Road Map". This 28-page booklet is aimed at providing farm management stakeholders in Canada with a simplified practical guide (road map) on the steps to follow in forming a management club. Download a free copy online from the Canadian Farm Business Management Council.
"Structure in a Marketing or Production Club . . .Establishing the Framework for Success". Alberta Agriculture in conjunction with the University of Alberta provides analysis and indicators of successful marketing and production clubs.
Saskatchewan Agriculture has published an excellent guide to setting up a dairy management club. The document can be found on their website.
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