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ALBERTA FARM FRESH LOCAL FOOD SHORT COURSE
March 1st and 2nd, 2012 at the Black Knight Inn in Red Deer, Alberta, the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development will be hosting the ALBERTA FARM FRESH LOCAL FOOD SHORT COURSE, formerly named Berry & Vegetable School. The new name was chosen to help recognize that a full protein stream containing various sessions will be offered this year, as well as the introductory and advanced fruit and vegetable sessions as presented in the past.
This Short Course is open to both members and non-members of the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association. There will be sessions for new or potential producers, as well as established producers. L
Fees for registration are $120 for 1 day or $200 for 2 days for AFFPA members, and $160 for 1 day and $240 for 2 days for non members.
For more information please contact Krista at 1-800-661-2642 or
Email Krista
Good for Health, Healthy for Business
A seminar for food processors, producers, researchers, industry associations and retailers:
Tina Stewart, R&D dietitian with Loblaw Companies Ltd., is sure to spark conversation at the Good for Health, Healthy for Business seminar on January 11, 2012.
40% of Loblaw stores sourced locally last year. Discover how you can become a part of their goal to expand their assortment of locally source products.
Pilots for a consumer 'nutrition score-card' system, diabetes awareness program, and in-store dietitians position; Loblaw stores to have a key role for improving the health and well-being of Canadians. Learn if there is a place for Alberta processors and ingredient suppliers in these programs.
According to Galen G. Weston, Executive Chair with Loblaw Companies Ltd., Loblaw has established a health and wellness team.They are ramping up emphasis on nutrition by building their Blue Menu product line, reducing the amount of sodium in their control brands, eliminating trans fats, and increasing the fiber, vitamins and other healthier elements in a wide range of products.
On January 11, Alberta's food and ag industries can learn how they can be a part of this transition. Call today to learn how retailers and local processors are responding to increasing consumer demand for healthy food products.
The Good for Health program was developed by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development's Food and Health Unit and is supported by Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Other partners include:
We need your knowledge of: Local food issues and successful approaches from all sectors of the food network including farmers, ranchers, processors, distributors, brokers, retailers and all areas of food service.
Deadline for registration is 2 weeks prior to session date.
Applications are supported on a cost-share basis. Grants cover 75 per cent of eligible expenses for approved activities and applicants cover 25 per cent; with grants awarded up to a maximum of $30,000 per applicant. To apply, please contact a new venture coach 310-FARM (3276) or download an application at www.GrowingForward.Alberta.ca Growing Forward is a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. E-Book is now available! Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association gratefully acknowledges the Province of Alberta, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for providing funding for the production of this manual. A special thanks to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development for materials and staff members for their insight and additions to this manual and to the producers who took the time to be interviewed and shared their stories.  Get to know the new AFFPA Administrative Assistant, Krista Miller Krista Miller of Longview, AB is the new administrative assistant for Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association. She owns and operates Willowbank Ranch along with her husband Robert. They farm direct market Angus beef and Saskatoon berries, as well as owning and operating Miller Supply Ltd. Krista graduated from Olds College in 2002 with a diploma in Agriculture Business. Krista is excited to be a part of Alberta Farm Fresh, and believes in farm direct marketing as a financially and environmentally sustainable practice that provides customers in Alberta with healthy, wholesome food. The local food industry is dynamic and growing, and Krista is so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the movement! Krista looks forward to working with everyone involved with AFFPA, from growers to consumers. Please don't hesitate to contact her. Contact Krista: Email or at 1-800-661-2642. Strawberry Production If you are looking for information about strawberry production, here's the reference book for you! Commercial Strawberry Production on the Prairies Specialists from each of the Prairie provinces contributed their expertise to Commercial Strawberry Production on the Prairies. This book provides recommendations, considerations and information about how to start and maintain a commercial June-bearing and Day-neutral strawberry planting. It includes an overview of commonly available cultivars, equipment needs, irrigation considerations, plus what food safety guidelines may be implemented. There is an extensive section outlining common diseases and pests that could affect your commercial strawberry crop, complete with colour photos. There is also an extensive resource section to point you to a wealth of information about strawberry production. Available from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Publications 1-800-292-5697 | Agdex 232/20-1 | Cost per copy: $20.00
Web Page Corrections Attention members: If you have a few minutes, please look over the content on your AFFPA web pages and let us know if any changes are necessary. The web pages provide consumers with necessary information. Help us help them! If there is anything you would like to see added to the web site, please call us at 1-800-661-2642. Direct Currents
2012 Schedule: Interested in becoming a farmers' market vendor?
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