BCMAL Industry Specialist
August 2005
What is the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA)?
The North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association (www.nafdma.com) is a trade association dedicated to nurturing the farm direct marketing industry. Its actions are driven by those whose daily lives are dedicated to this way of life. Its members support their family farms by selling millions of dollars worth of farm-grown produce directly to consumers at farm stands, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own farms, consumer-supported agriculture, agritourism venues, and other ever-growing innovations in direct producer-to-consumer agricultural marketing methods
What Association is in BC?
In BC there are two large direct marketing associations run by producers. One is on Vancouver Island (www.islandfarmfresh.com), and the other in the Fraser Valley (http://www.bcfarmfresh.com) outside of Vancouver. These two organizations represent about two hundred farms of all types that retail their products at the farm gate.
How is BC associated with NAFDMA?
BC was the first Canadian Province to host the NAFDMA Annual conference in 1998 and the conference was a huge benefit to the BC industry. Since then every year a number of BC operations send delegates to the NAFDMA conference to share in the information exchanges that occur at this annual event. This year with the conference being in Texas it is expected a large number of BC delegates will head south for education and relaxation with old friends. I am the secretary of NAFDMA and the longest serving board member, first elected to the board in 1993.
What survey is currently being conducted?
The NAFDMA is helping sponsor and strongly endorses the most comprehensive survey that has ever been commissioned relating to the continental farm direct marketing and agritourism industry. Please take the time to participate. The survey is designed to help the operators who are currently engaged in farm direct marketing and agritourism enterprises.
What is the purpose of the current survey being conducted?
The North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association is engaged in an extensive survey of farm direct marketers and agritourism operators. We are partnered with Ed Mahoney and his survey team at Michigan State University to accomplish this.
The results of this survey will:
What role do you play in this survey?
As the secretary of the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (www.nafdma.com), I am working with NAFDMA and Dr. Ed Mahoney to develop an economic impact study for your industry across North America. It is confidential and all of your personal information will be destroyed as required by the law in both the US and Canada. There is a huge incentive for you to complete this form as described and it is either a draw for $1,000 us or a free NAFDMA conference in Texas for 2 ($1900 value) for 1 out of 777 folks to complete the study.
Who should participate in this survey?
It's important that we include your region in the makeup of the farm direct marketing and agritourism analysis of North America. We are asking associations inform their members and invite them to participate in this survey. Any farmer or rancher on this continent who sells at farmers markets, operates an agritourism destination, does PYO, has a farm stand or does any related activity on their farm or ranch should be counted!!!
Please be sure your region is represented. Inform your association decision maker or do whatever else it takes to ultimately get this survey into the hands of farm direct marketers everywhere.
Why is this survey important for BC’s agritourism Industry?
It is important for all of you and the entire North American Direct Marketing and Agritourism Industries. If we get enough responses from BC we will be able to generate a specific profile for the BC industry which is very important in regards to approaching authorities when we want access to regulations changes and assistance. We invite you to help make this the most comprehensive survey our industry has ever seen.
All information is confidential and it is a data base driven survey. So if we get enough responses from any given region to provide critical mass, we can sort stats by your state or region and compare them to the results of the entire continent. The power of this tool to help us all is nearly endless.
What are the incentives to complete this survey?
This can’t be accomplished successfully without your participation! We’re so serious about this we are providing an incentive. The first 777 completed surveys will be entered into a drawing to win your choice either of a $1900+ US value to attend the NAFDMA Convention in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, or $1000 US cash.
How do I complete the survey?
To complete the survey, go to http://www.farmmarketresearch.com. You will need to register first by providing your email, zip/postal code and name of the ranch/farm.
Please, click the link provided below to complete the Farm Market Annual Survey.
http://www.farmmarketresearch.com/
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact:
Brent Warner
BCMAL Industry Specialist
AgriTourism Direct Marketing
808 Douglas Street, Victoria BC.
V8W 2Z7 tel.
office:250-356-1704
cell: 250-889-0466
fax: 250-356-2949
email: Brent.Warner@gov.bc.ca
Charlie Touchette, Executive Director
North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association
62 White Loaf Road
Southampton, MA 01073
email: nafdma@map.com
http://www.nafdma.com
