About Us

I spent almost four years running the St. Albert Farmers’ Market, proudly sponsored by the St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce. Recently, I made the switch to a new role within the Chamber as Finance Manager, which fits perfectly with my role as Treasurer for AFMA. I’m happy to stay on with the Chamber so I can continue being part of the amazing St. Albert Farmers’ Market and support the new Market Manager when needed. With my Saturdays now free, I enjoy spending more time with my family and visiting farmers’ markets around the area.

I have worked as an Event Planner/Manager for the past 10 years working mostly for not-for-profit organizations including The Fort Edmonton Foundation, The Art Gallery of Alberta and The Pioneers Cabin, now renamed The Bison Lodge in Edmonton. My work with the Southwest Edmonton Farmers Market (SWEFM) as the Market Manager brings me great joy to see such an amazing community of local vendors and the tremendous support the market has from the surrounding neighbourhood. I am also a vendor and understand the amount of work, effort and love that it takes to bring a product successfully to market.

I love to share my experience in Event Management and as a market vendor with those who are starting out in this industry and may need a bit of a helping hand to reach their goals. I feel being involved with the AFMA board will give me the opportunity to help others and help the industry grow in a thoughtful manner.

Steve Souto was born and raised on his family orchard in Oliver, BC, where his parents taught him everything about growing fruit and running a sustainable business. 11 years ago, Steve and his brother Daniel moved to Alberta to start Steve & Dan’s Fresh BC Fruit, which has grown into a trusted source of BC fruit at Alberta farmers’ markets. Steve is passionate about running an honest, transparent business that is bigger than selling fruit. He understands the importance of building the connection between ourselves and what we eat. Steve has a beautiful little family of his own, wife Sabrina and son Matthew turning 5 this summer. In the summer, you can find Steve at a few farmers’ markets throughout the week.

Marie Bernard Isaak is an entrepreneur, maker, and food producer based in Calgary. With a background in operations, engineering, and business strategy, she brings both creativity and strong operational expertise to the local food and artisan community. Marie holds an Executive MBA from INSEAD and is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), but she has always balanced her professional career with a passion for craftsmanship, food, and local markets.
Her connection to farmers’ markets has developed through several ventures. She is the founder of Savory Spoon Foods, a small-batch sauce company focused on high-quality ingredients and simple, Mediterranean-inspired flavors. She is also the artist behind Marie Bernard Pottery, where she creates functional handmade ceramics. In addition, she supports Café du Parc, her husband’s business located at the Calgary Farmers’ Market West.
Through these businesses, Marie has worked closely with multiple markets across Calgary and the surrounding region. This experience has given her a strong appreciation for the diversity of farmers’ markets—from producer-focused markets to curated artisan environments—each with its own structure, community, and operational complexity. She values farmers’ markets as vital spaces that connect local producers, makers, and customers while strengthening the local food economy.

Over the past decade, Melissah has developed extensive experience within Alberta’s farmers’ market community, beginning with vendor work in 2014 before transitioning into market operations and administration. Participation in the Market Manager Training through the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association has also helped foster a collaborative mindset, connecting with fellow market managers and strengthening the sense of community within Alberta’s farmers’ market network.

Her career progressed through multiple roles at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, including Market Assistant, Office Administrator, Vendor & Special Events Administrator, Market Store Associate and Vendor Coordinator, providing extensive experience in vendor relations, operations, and organizational processes.

With experience on both the vendor and operational sides, Melissah brings a collaborative, solutions focused approach and a strong belief that farmers’ markets succeed through shared knowledge, cooperation, and collective advocacy that supports vendors, markets, and local communities across Alberta.

I have been a vendor with several Farmers Markets since 1994. I have also been the Manager of several Farmers Markets in that same period. I am currently the Manager of the Westlock Thursday Community Farmers Market.

I started with the Farmers Market straight out of Olds College where I got a degree in Greenhouse Management. I operated a greenhouse bedding plant operation for 20 years, taking a small 5 year break to get married and settled into a new routine. 

I expanded toe greenhouse season into Farmers Market to reach new customers and after the greenhouse season, we added a market garden to extend our season.  Wanting to support our local Farmers Market on a more permanent basis, we added hand crafts and baking to our line up. We now attend 2 markets full time throughout the year.

We retired the greenhouse in 2016 and added a yarn and fabric shop. We still do the market garden, hand crafts and the baking. This is my full-time job.

I am looking forward to seeing and experiencing how the Alberta Farmers Market Association works on the back end of operations. I am always looking for ways to help other vendors and markets to improve their tables and experiences.

We’re excited to welcome Tylene as AFMA’s new Engagement and Operations Coordinator. With a deep passion for local agriculture, community events, and streamlined operations, Tylene brings extensive experience in market administration, vendor relations, and event coordination to Alberta’s vibrant farmers’ market community.

Growing up in small-town Alberta, Tylene’s fond memories of summer markets, countryside drives, and fresh-baked bread inspired her lifelong dedication to supporting local businesses and celebrating rural life.

In her previous roles, Tylene spearheaded membership database improvements, redesigned award-winning newsletters, and enhanced facility rentals through targeted outreach and improved guest experiences. She also contributed to seasonal market operations, vendor communications, and marketing strategies that boosted attendance and social media engagement.

Before entering the farmers’ market world, Tylene spent nearly two decades as a professional dog trainer and education manager, developing enrichment programs and mentoring new trainers. Her focus on positive reinforcement and clear communication now guides her work with teams and community partners. In addition, her background in early childhood education equips her to create inclusive, engaging environments for families and children.

Tylene looks forward to connecting with vendors, managers, and community members across Alberta, supporting the incredible work that brings locally made, baked, and grown goods to our neighborhoods. Together, she believes we’ll continue cultivating something wonderful.

Alberta Agriculture and Irrrigation 
Non-voting Ex Officio Advisor

I began my career with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation in 1999, and since 2004 have been dedicated to the Farmers’ Market Program, where I had the privilege of learning from mentor Penny Wilkes. Since stepping into the Farmers’ Market Specialist role in 2008, I’ve focused on supporting market managers and vendors through training programs like Market Manager Training Level I and a wide range of practical resources.

 As a non-voting ex officio member of the AFMA board, I provide guidance on governance, collaboration opportunities, and educational initiatives. My work with the government allows me to visit more than 50 markets each season, building strong relationships with managers and vendors across the province while gaining insight into the challenges they face.

 Supporting these front-line clients in finding practical solutions—and witnessing their success—is the most rewarding part of my work. It truly is the best job in the world.

I have been fortunate to serve with the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association for the past six years, completing three consecutive two-year terms, including two years as Vice President and three years as President. During that time, our board navigated significant challenges and change, while continuing to advocate for and represent our members with integrity and care.

As I transition from this role, I remain committed to supporting and guiding the new board, while returning my focus to the spaces where I can make the most direct impact. My purpose lies in strengthening connections between people, families, and communities—work I continue through facilitating AFMA programming, coaching both within the market community and our food production facility, and growing our family business, Cian’s Mustard.

Since 2013, I’ve had the privilege of building Cian’s Mustard alongside my husband, son, and my late dad. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a sustainable, full-time venture rooted in resilience, community, and a belief that challenges can be transformed into opportunity—a vision that we continue to honour.

With a background in child, family, and community care—as well as life coaching—I am deeply driven by seeing others succeed. I’m a strong advocate for what I believe in, and nothing inspires me more than watching people pursue their dreams. This belief has led us to open our production facility to others, sharing our knowledge and experience to help support fellow entrepreneurs on their journeys.