AG TEAM UPDATE A lot of attention has been focused on the Avian Influenza outbreak that is happening in BC. Find the links you need to stay informed later in this issue. As well, get ready for the Farmers’ Market! Markets are opening up across the region in the coming weeks, so get excited and if you have never sold at a market before, we hope the information below will help you get started! If markets aren’t your thing, you can also connect with consumers through our online Connecting Consumers and Producers directory. Click here to get listed! | RDBN GO Podcast We hope you have been enjoying the GO Podcasts. We are nearing the end of our first podcast series already! New since the last newsletter, you can listen to Michelle talk with producers about vegetable market gardening, and then Megan shares insights into small-scale livestock farming. To end the series, Michelle will pull together all the tips and tricks around the various ways of marketing your farm products – whatever they may be (bees, veggies, protein, live animals, etc.). Find the podcasts… ► Direct from the RDBN Website, Buzzsprout, or Smithers Community Radio (CICK) Wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc.) | | | May 16, 2022 Small-scale Livestock Keeping Most producers in the RDBN keep animals such as chickens, milk goats, pigs, and sheep. This episode has producers share their experiences growing their herds, some tips on husbandry, and also great information on processing animals. Photo: Sheep farming in the RDBN. Listen Now! Cattle & Chickens & Goats, Oh My! | | | | MAY 30, 2022 Marketing Overview for Producers In this last podcast of the series we’ll look back and bring together all the different ways our previous guests, along with some new guests, market their products. From the tech savvy to direct person-to-person marketing, this podcast hopes to help you increase your reach and better help you connect to consumers to support your farm business. Photo: Fort St. James Farmers' Market. Listen Now! Marketing Your Farm | | | Avian Influenza To stay up to date with the Avian Influenza outbreak in BC, please go to: The RDBN has produced a biosecurity fact sheet, and added other helpful links regarding avian influenza to our website. | Farmers' Markets in the RDBN! | Farmers’ Markets are a beloved part of summer for many. Consumers flock to markets to get fresh vegetables, hand-made soaps and tinctures, locally raised meats, fresh baked goods, mushrooms and other forage foods, and much more! For a quick-view of each of the markets in the RDBN by going to our online guide – Farmers’ Markets Guide for the RDBN. | | | Fort St. James Farmers' Market Market contact email | | | Vanderhoof Farmers' Market Market contact email | | | | Fraser Lake Community Market Market contact email | | | Southside Farmers' Market Market contact email | | | | Burn's Lake Community Market Market contact email | | | Houston BC Farmers' Market Market contact email | | | | Bulkley Valley Farmers' Market Market contact email | | | Hazelton Farmers' Market Market contact email | | How do I SELL my products at a Farmers' Market? | ∞ Many of the Farmers’ Markets in the RDBN are members of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets and have set guidelines of what is allowed to be sold at a market. The general rule is… if you can make it, bake it, or grow it, you can sell it at the Farmers’ Market. It is best to check with each individual market however, as each market has their own specific guidelines. Every market has a Market Manager that is there to help you. ∞ There are some markets in the RDBN that are independent and therefore may allow a wider range of items that you can sell. ∞ Every market will charge a fee for your space to set-up and sell your products. These fees vary by market, again check with the market(s) you are interested in vending at as to the costs associated with that market. ∞ Having great products to sell isn’t the only thing you need for the market. You’ll likely need to supply your own table, tent, power cables (if applicable), signs, price board, chair, table cover etc. Have a look at the setup of your favourite vendors to get ideas of what you’ll need for your booth. ∞ For some types of food you’ll also need a permit and/or letter from the Health Authority that states your products are safe to sell. The Temporary Food Markets Guideline for Temporary Markets will help you to understand what is required depending on your food product(s). You can also ask the Market Manager. ∞ One more consideration is insurance.
Check with your market to see what is
needed. | Once you have all the permits, displays, prices etc. figured out, it is time to start selling! Selling at a Farmers’ Market can be a wonderful opportunity to: ∞ Meet new customers! Having a conversation with someone interested in your product can be a powerful and effective marketing strategy. People love the story behind a business, and who best to share that story than you, the producer! Be sure to have business cards or pamphlets to hand out to potential customers. ∞ Generate income! There will be slow days at the market, but one thing is certain - seeing your stock go down can be a real boost to the system. Some producers make the majority of their income at Farmers’
Markets. ∞ Understand what customers like! Talking with customers and watching how they decide on which of your products to buy can help you with planning for the next markets. You might want to bring more of a certain product, bring products that customers inquire about, or change your display to highlight the popular products, etc. ∞ Get off the farm! Sometimes spending a day off the farm out in community can bring a bit of break to the daily routine. Farmers' Market Guide for the RDBN | | Please let us know what you'd like to see in the next Growing Opportunities eNewsletter! | Megan D'Arcy
(West - Areas A, B, E, G; Smithers, Telkwa, Houston, Granisle, Burns Lake, South Side)
250-692-0783
megan.darcy@rdbn.bc.ca | Michelle Roberge
(East - Areas C, D, F; Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser, Fraser Lake, Endako)
250-570-8772
michelle.roberge@rdbn.bc.ca | | | | | |
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