| | Agripreneur scholarship opportunities for 2006-2007 are being offered by the rural development sector of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the renewal chapter of the Ag Policy Framework. As in previous years, the Agripreneur Scholarship supports continuous learning and innovative educational opportunities for agripreneurs to attend educational out-of-province, national and international conferences, tours or workshops. This scholarship is open to Alberta farm direct marketers, ag tourism operators, farmers’ market managers and staff or board members of appropriate industry associations.
Doug and Elna Edgar, with Edgar Farms near Innisfail, received a scholarship to attend the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) convention in Texas in January, 2006. Having attended previous NAFDMA conventions, the Edgars knew the information sharing and business pointers in Texas would be incredible. As Elna Edgar says, “You tend not to talk to your neighbors about some of the things you are doing because they could be your direct competition. But when you go to something like the NAFDMA convention, the networking with other producers is amazing. People share a lot.”
The Edgars are passionate about the farm direct portion of their farm. After trying a full range of garden vegetables when they first started in the early 1980s, they now specialize in peas, beans and asparagus. The Edgars use a variety of marketing channels to get their fresh produce to their customers. During peak season, their vegetables can be found at almost 20 farmers’ markets throughout the province under both the Innisfail Growers and Edgar Farms banners. They sell direct from their on-farm store and into local grocery stores and restaurants. The Edgars also offer u-pick peas and beans by appointment.
Along with vegetables, the Edgars also raise cattle and are starting to sell their beef direct as well. “We deliberately talked to people at the NAFDMA convention who sell beef and got some great ideas on different cuts, and how to sell more of the animal.”
“The Edgars felt the three-day bus tour was the best part of the convention,” says Eileen Kotowich, with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development’s Alberta approved farmers’ market program, Vermilion. “Much of the learning at this convention was through the informal conversations participants have with other producers on the bus.”
“As you visit with the people on the bus, you learn so much about other operations and often pick up some intriguing ideas you can incorporate into your own business,” says Elna Edgar. “We came home with another year’s worth of enthusiasm to charge forth, plus the added confidence of knowing that marketing our products direct to the customer is the way to survive in today’s farm economy.”
The Agripreneur Scholarship has been awarded to 16 Alberta agripreneurs during the past two years. These individuals attended a variety of learning events in both Canada and the United States. All recipients returned home with new ideas, expanded networks and renewed energy for their businesses.
The first deadline for applications for this year’s scholarship is November 1, 2006. for application information and additional program deadlines, contact Marian Williams with the Farm Direct Marketing Initiative at (780) 679-5168.
Contact: Eileen Kotowich (780) 853-8223 |
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