Development of robust farmers’ markets is vital to sustainable agriculture across the United States. Farmers’ markets promote nutrition education, healthy eating, and purchase of locally grown products. Markets showcase local growers’ freshest products and provide healthy and nutritious options for local communities.

The Arkansas Farmers’ Market Association (AFMA) links growers,market managers and consumers, acting as an umbrella under which Arkansas farmers’ markets thrive, expand, and educate.

Monday, January 10, 2011

AFMA CONFERENCE SCHEDULED
Arkansas Farmers Market Associations has partnered with Certified Arkansas Farmers' and the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show for a three-day educational conference February 25- 27, 2011 in Little Rock. The Conference will be the state's premier gathering of small farmers, agricultural students, farmers’ market managers and others involved in the small farm industry. The three-day educational conference includes day-long short courses; focused workshops; engaging keynote addresses and numerous networking opportunities.


AFMA Conference Is Friday, February 25
When: February 25, 2011
            8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Statehouse Convention Center
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 21, 2011
Agenda: Topics/Highlights
  • Building a Community Farmers' Market
  • WIC/EBT/Senior Program
  • Food Safety
  • Farmers' Market Promotion Program
  • AFMA Business Meeting
    ....and more!
Cost:
AFMA Conference: $35 
Registering with a credit card payment: You will be given the opportunity to register for all of the conferences or only the ones you would like to attend. If you will only be coming to AFMA, click "Individual Registration (Friday AFMA) - $35.00" To register online with a credit card, click here. See prices for 3-day and 2-day tickets below.


To register with a check payment, click here.
If you can not download the PDF and print, contact us via email and we will send a WORD format to you.


For more information, contact Stephanie Buckley at arkansasfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call 870.983.2443.

Three Day Confernce Individual
Three Day Conference Fee: $90 (includes Friday & Saturday lunch, parking and tickets to Flower & Garden Show)
Friday and Saturday Only     $70 (includes lunch)
You may attend either Friday AFMA or Saturday CAFM single day for $35 (lunch included)
Arkansas Flower & Garden Show   $6  for 3-Day   or $4 for single day
Parking $5 per day

Three Day Conference Couple
Three Day Conference Fee  $125 (includes Friday & Saturday lunch)
Friday and Saturday Only    $90   (includes lunch)
Any Single Day                    $70   (includes lunch)
Arkansas Flower & Garden Show  $12  for 3-Day   or $8 for single day 
Parking $5 per day

Arkansas Flavors Farm to Table Dinner - 5:30 - 8:00 p.m., Peabody Ballroom

The event opens at 5:30 p.m. with an hourlong meet-and-greet and book signing by Deborah Madison. Cash bar available. After dinner, Madison will talk about "Why Farm to Table is a Great Idea."
Tickets are $60 per person and must be purchased in advance through the Arkansas Flower & Garden show website at http://www.arflowerandgardenshow.org/show_event_arkansas_flavors.htm 
           Special Events ticket needed- $60 per person- order in advance
SOLD OUT!

For more information on CAFM Conference, click here.
For more information on the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, click here.


Keynote Presentation: Deborah Madison
Former farmers market manager and the founding chef of San Francisco’s Greens restaurant, Deborah Madison is also the author of eleven books, including Local Flavors, Cooking and Eating from Americas Farmers’ Markets, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and What We Eat When We Eat Alone. Her most recent book, Seasonal Fruit Desserts from Orchard, Farm and Market, looks at what makes good fruit good and the many ways to use it along with other good foods from farmers markets to make a perfect ending to a seasonal meal. Her bestselling books have won numerous awards, including 4 James Beard awards, the MFK Fisher Mid-Career Award, the Andre Simon Prize, and twice, the Julia Child Cookbook of the Year. In addition to writing books, Deborah also contributes to numerous national magazines on food and gardening as well as to Culinate.com, Zester Daily, and Gourmet.com.  She is on the board of the Seed Savers Exchange and for the past two years was co- director of the Monte del Sol School Garden and Kitchen project. She lives in Galisteo, New Mexico, with her Arkansan husband, painter Patrick McFarlin.