Outstanding Perennial Vendor Award
This award recognizes the diversity of the talents of AFMA’s long term Make it, Bake it, Grow it vendors. Products have to be local and unique. Characteristics of excellence and uniqueness include: packaging, labeling, marketing, popularity and customer impact for the market. These vendors have products that have stood the test of time, have a loyal customer base, and attract customers to the market.
Nominees:
- Java Chef
- Sweet Mezza
- Au Chocolat
- Lucky Mutt
- Township 27
Winner: Township 27
Eric has been invested in bringing top quality spices to our Farmers Market (Crossfield) for years. He has a very good reputation for freshness, unique blends and has exceptional customer service. He is a staple at the Crossfield Farmers Market and we have used his spices in our last 3 long table dinners. Every market he seems to top his sales from the last. Eric’s company is the real deal when it comes to quality, local and trustworthy.
So very knowledgeable about spices and cooking in general. Always willing to chat – never rushed and treats every customer with the upmost respect.
Outstanding New Vendor Award
This award also recognizes the diversity of the talents of AFMA’s new Make it, Bake it, Grow it vendors. This time for vendors who have been selling three years or less. The products have to be local and unique. Characteristics of excellence and uniqueness include: packaging, labeling, marketing, popularity and customer impact for the market.
Winner: Mister Grow It All
DJ is a passionate entrepreneur sharing his love for everything mushroom! He is a wealth of knowledge and always happy to share the knowledge with customers, fellow vendors and managers.
Dj is always pleasant and over the moon to be at the market each Saturday. He is engaging, friendly and ALWAYS has a smile on his face. He is sure to be one of the first to thank you for putting on the market and including his small business in it.
He offers a variety of Gourmet Mushrooms (fresh, dried, mushroom coffee, mushroom grow kits, mushroom seasonings, infused honey), Fermented Tea – Jun (Champagne) Kombucha – various flavours, Ginger Beer, Field Greens, Personal Gourmet Salads, Greenhouse Greens, Aquaponics’ greens, Herbs, Gluten Free and / or fermented baked goods. DJ started this venture through exploring a thriving food culture in the Calgary area and discovering how he could support that. He has recently gained much recognition in the market world and has been featured in many local magazine articles. We were lucky to have Mister Grow It all as part of the Millarville Farmers’ Market family, and hope to have him join us for many years to come!
Outstanding Market Manager of the Year
This award recognizes market managers who have shown innovation in administration techniques, events, community involvement and promotions to improve their market. Candidates have strong communication skills including the ability to communicate with vendors, board members, customers, media, surrounding businesses, and potential partners. They have proven ability to stay on top of social media and spread the word about the market but also to quickly and effectively deal with complaints before they become a problem.
Candidates strive for continuous improvement. They are teachers, visionaries, and big picture thinkers. They are in tune with what customers want and with what vendors need. They show creative thinking, creative problem solving, and integrity.
We are very proud of the wonderful market managers we have in our province and would like to acknowledge all of our nominees.
- Tracy Hamilton: Strathmore Farmers’ Market
- Tracey Richter: Lacombe Farmers’ Market
- Shannon Noirot: Innisfail Farmers’ Market
- Corinne Olson: Old Stathcona Farmers’ Market
- Melonie McKee: Millarville Farmers Market
- Michelle Ronnenkamp: Carvel Station Farmers Market
- Darice Rach: Grande Prairie Farmers’ Market
- Jocelyn Fraser: Callingwood Farmers’ Market
- Jessica Wood: Morinville Farmers’ Market
- Cheryl Shea: Crossfield Farmers’ Market
- Roxanne Ross: Brooks Farmers’ Market
- Stan Morrow: Wetaskiwin Farmers’ Market
Winner is Stan and wife Val Morrow: Wetaskiwin Farmers’ Market
I am proud and honoured to nominate Stan Morrow and his wife Val as Farmers Market Manager of the Year for 2024. I have known Stan and Val for many years and recently in the last 5 years as a vendor at the Wetaskiwin Farmers Market. Stan has been manager for longer than I have been a vendor, not sure how many years. Wetaskiwin’s market is a year round market on Wednesday’s from 3-6pm at the Wetaskiwin Agricultural Grounds. I do not have the official numbers but we have between 25 – 50 vendors coming each week through out the year. In the summer we have outdoor vendors from June – October. Then most vendor move inside to the hall the last week of October. Due to financial reasons Stan has gone back to work full time, but that has not stopped him from doing his manager duties, every Wednesday before he goes to work he is at the hall with his helper (Jim) setting up tables and chairs for the days market. Then once work is done he goes back to the hall to take down tables and chairs and signs with his daughter, (Maddie)who also comes after her job is done. Val (Stan’s wife) is an un amazing asset to this market. Val is at the hall by 12;15 every Wednesday to put names on tables for the vendors to know where they are to setup. Val does not drive so I pick her up and we are at the market all day, even helps with take down. Val takes care of all of our vendors and advertising through FACEBOOK, Instagram, door hangers on residents doors, local paper and special events. Val has also gone back to work part time to help the family. But even though she is exhausted and in pain a lot of time (health issues) that does not stop her from being an amazing assistant to Stan. Tuesday night and all week long she is busy making the vendor list for the following market as well as handling new vendor applications, as well as doing posts for our customers to see. We have a waiting list of vendors eager to be apart of our great market. Each week we have anywhere from 150-400 customers come and see us throughout the year. We often hear from customers saying they love this market and all of the diversity of the vendors and they come back each and every week. Our vendors are amazing, so helpful, creative and innovative in their products. We have a number of vendors who say they prefer coming to Wetaskwin Market rather than other markets just because of Stan and Val. If there are any issues Stan and Val deals with them professionally and diligently. Val continues to communicate with the vendors each and every week at the market by visiting each and every vendor to make sure everything is okay and to answer any questions they may have. We also have a Wetaskiwin Farmers Market vendor page on FACEBOOK where a lot of communication takes place. At this time of year we are planning our annual December to Remember Christmas Market. Each year it continues to grow. This year we are setting up 2 extra large tents outside with heaters to accommodate more vendors. We are also having hayrides, candy bags for kids, hot drinks in an outdoor grain bin used for special occasions plus vendor sponsored gift baskets and many more. Val and Stan are amazing with special events, they are so invested in bringing new ideas to the community. The community responds by coming out each and every week and for special events. I see how hard Stan and Val work every week. I am a vendor who learns from them and watches what they go through. When they need relief to take a few days off they know that they can trust me to handle everything because they have taught me everything I know and the vendors know nothing will change while they are gone. They are great mentors, and it is a family affair which they take on very seriously.
These reasons are why I am so PROUD and HONOURED to nominate STAN and VAL MORROW for Alberta Farmers Market Manager of the year 2024.
The Community Builder Award
The Community Builder Award was previously given to recognize those who have shown innovation in administration techniques, events, community involvement or promotions to improve their market. We brought back this very special award to honor a very special market manager.
Roxanne Ross: Brooks Farmers’ Market
Roxanne is an amazing individual. We are proud to have her as the Manager for the Brooks Farmer’s Market. Roxanne had the vision to create a Food Money Program to address food insecurity in our Community (putting food into hungry bellies) that supports farmers’ markets (bringing people to the market) and strengthens food security (keeping farmers farming). This program is funded fully by grants & local cash donations.
With a one-time grant of $25,000, Brooks launched a trial coupon program. The results? Not only did it support local vendors, but it also provided for 100 individuals.
Program information from Rosemary Ag Society:
The Brooks Farmers’ Market FOOD Money Program is a food insecurity initiative (putting food into hungry bellies) that supports farmers’ markets (bringing people to the market) and strengthens food security (keeping farmers farming). This program was first made possible by Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta Community Impact Award. Since then Brooks Alliance Church, EcoBrooks and the Newell Christian Community have donated funds enabling us to continue this impactful program in our community.