Saturday, February 27, 2010

University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Headquarters
UALR Campus, Little Rock, Ark.

Certified Arkansas Farmers Markets have a unique spirit and perspective, and together we will look at the opportunities and challenges that face farmers markets as we forge ahead in planning our next market year. All present and future members of CAFM are urged to attend this important annual planning event. We hope by attending you will see a significant improvement in your market sales this season. If you are new or considering CAFM as your new farm market, this will be a good time to meet and get a sense of what will be at the market in the coming seasons.

The registration fee is $20 and includes a full day of discussions, top-notch keynote speaker Richard McCarthy, local foods lunch buffet, farmer-chef negotiations, and more. 

8:00 a.m.  Doors open

8:30  Registration begins, coffee and bakery items available.

9:00  Welcome Guests: Introductions by Jody Hardin, President CAFM
Year in Review: A Look Ahead at 2010 and Beyond

10:15  Break

10:30  Keynote Speaker: Richard McCarthy, Executive Director, Market Umbrella, NOLA
Richard McCarthy embodies the phrase, “think globally; act locally.” After growing up in New Orleans and earning his master’s degree at the London School of Economics, he co-founded the Crescent City Farmers Market in 1995. As executive director, he led the organization to grow from a weekly farmers market into marketumbrella.org, an internationally recognized mentor for markets, community-building and sustainable economic development with an annual operating budget of $1 million and a staff of nine.

11:45  Q & A with Keynote Speaker

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.  Farmer-Chef Lunch
A hearty catered lunch buffet from Chef Shane Henderson of Argenta Market shared with top chefs from the central Arkansas area who are looking to meet with farmers and discuss seed varieties, pickup and delivery, packaging, pricing, quantities, etc. It's marketing mojo time, so bring your favorite seed catalogs for this one-of-a-kind event!

2:00  Break

2:15 – 3:30  Organizational & Planning Meeting (Market Managers and Community Developers Meeting)
Representatives from Argenta, Searcy, Hot Springs Village, Jacksonville, Stone County, Conway.locallygrown.net, and West Memphis farmers markets are invited to attend.