February 20, 2003

The exploration of new products, marketing ideas and strategies, and emerging trends in agri-business diversification will be the focus of the 2003 Direct Farm Marketing Conference tomorrow and Saturday at the Royal Oak Inn in Brandon.

"This forum presents an extensive range of experts and topics on new trends in marketing farm products and services directly to consumers," said Manitoba Agriculture and Food Minister Rosann Wowchuk. "Manitoba’s farm families see country markets, agri-tourism, u-pick farms, roadside stands, mail order and Internet marketing, and other methods as strong opportunities to diversify their operations."

The conference highlights include:

• The Country Market Trade Show where producers will make their products available to participants.
• Author and self-described culinary activist Anita Stewart will host an evening cooking demonstration featuring Manitoba food products and provide insight on how to make connections between agriculture, food and tourism by capitalizing on quality, authenticity and branding in the direct marketing of products and services.
• 2002 International Farm Marketer of the Year award recipients Mark Saunders and Angela Grant of Saunders Farms will describe how their family transformed 100 acres into a business providing innovative activities and special event marketing.
• Manitoba Agriculture and Food's Food Development Centre will provide resources to help producers navigate the rules and regulations related to processing fruits and selling a food product.

Other conference presentations on innovative methods of producing, preparing, launching, and marketing products and services include:

• growing, harvesting and marketing herbs;
• getting started in the strawberry business;
• processing fruit;
• marketing packaged speciality seeds;
• travelling farmers’ markets;
• creating annual events to increase customer bases and sales;
• ensuring quality and maintaining best practices for serving the public;
• creating an image and identity; and
• creating effective Web pages.

The conference is co-ordinated in partnership with Manitoba Agriculture and Food, the Prairie Fruit Growers Association, the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of Manitoba, the Manitoba Country Vacation Association, farmers markets and others.

"Direct marketing is one of the fastest growing sectors in Manitoba," said Wowchuk. "Conference participants will share in a wealth of knowledge spanning an amazing variety of products, services, strategies and experience. This form of competitive intelligence is invaluable as we seek to expand market opportunities for the high quality safe foods produced in Manitoba."

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