About

Board of Directors

Executive:

Lynda Atkinson, Chair
Heloise Dixon-Warren, Vice-Chair
Lori Fogarty, Secretary-Treasurer

Directors:

Paula Roballo-Corallo

Vision:

FARMED connects, empowers, and inspires people to strengthen the North Cariboo's sustainable food systems.

Mission:

FARMED is a member-based agricultural marketing organization that collaborates with business, community agencies and government to enhance sustainable food systems and the economy in the North Cariboo.

Assets and Awards:

Owner and developer of the “North Cariboo Farm Country – Grown for You” Brand
Trademark “Grown for You”
6X12 Foot TNT Transit Cargo Trailer
Tables, tents and banners for display booths
Recipient of the 2008 Tourist Excellence Award at the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
Nominated for the 2012 Tourism Excellence Award – Quesnel Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

History

The North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association was established in May 2006 to work towards the creation of a North Cariboo Farm Tour Brochure that resembled the Farm Circle Tour Brochures (www.circlefarmtour.com) in the lower Fraser Valley. The organization chose FARMED as its acronym with each letter defining a characteristic of the organization (F = Farming; A = Agriculture; R = Rural; M = Marketing; E = Eco; D = Diversification). The founding members of the group were three local agri-business owners/operators and very quickly, the need for a regionally based agriculture, cooperative marketing association was recognized. In May 2007, FARMED became registered as a not-for-profit Society in British Columbia. Since the completion of the North Cariboo Farm Tour Brochure, FARMED has taken on, and completed, many successful projects.

FARMED is governed by the British Columbia Societies Act. It has an Executive comprised of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer with a Board of Directors. The organization typically meets quarterly for networking and to update its members on opportunities. To this date, the group has remained grassroots, industry-leading, progressive, fiscally responsible, and believes in the success of partnerships and working together to achieve goals.

FARMED is an exciting and rewarding organization to be involved with.

FARMED membership is open to anyone interested in supporting the goals of the organization; however, our geographic focus is the North Cariboo region, from Nazko in the west to Barkerville in the east, McLeese Lake in the south to Strathnaver in the north.

For additional information on FARMED, and/or membership, please email info@farmed.ca or check out our Membership Page.

North Cariboo Agriculture Awareness and Marketing Project

The North Cariboo Agriculture Awareness and Marketing project will provide a vehicle to aid regional agri- businesses.
The project is divided into the following components:

Brand – The development of a logo and tagline specific to North Cariboo agriculture for identifying products. Working in partnership with Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation a variety of marketing tools have been developed to raise awareness of the North Cariboo Farm Country – Grown for You brand. This marketing project includes the display of a mural, a membership drive, promotion of the brand at the Quesnel Farmers’ Market and various events and the creation of street banners to be displayed every summer.

Highway Billboard Signage – Two-16’ x 12’ permanent signs situated adjacent to Highway 97. Text on the signs e.g. “Welcome to North Cariboo; pictures of farm products representative of the North Cariboo; North Cariboo “brand”; Website link; sponsorship logos.

North Cariboo Farm Products Map – Highlighting the farms, products, services, and experiences available in the North Cariboo. Includes a product index, producer contact information, and point of sale.

Kiosk – In LeBourdais Park near the Quesnel Visitor Centre displaying the North Cariboo Farm Products Map, an Agriculture Display, and sponsor logos.

Junior Farmer Program – Launched at the Quesnel Farmer’s Market on June 4th, 2011 to encourage young people to farm and produce local food.

Children learn to grow vegetables in containers over the summer recording results in their journal
Aids in creating healthy sustainable communities
Addresses food security issues – food production in urban areas
Incorporated into the Imagination Park program at the Quesnel & District Recreation Centre in 2012

Sustainability and Capacity Development – The objective is to build capacity within both the local agriculture sector and all levels of government so that local agriculture is both supported and thrives. It includes:

Industry
Grassroots initiatives & organizations
Government
Educational institutions

FARMED has been the lead proponent in organizing:

The Root Cellar Tour in May 2013
Agriculture Stakeholder Meetings in February and October of 2011
Conferences: Ag & Hort Leap 2011, 2012 and 2014
Workshops: Social Media, Geocaching, Website, Seed Collection & Storage, etc.
Marketing Products – Other initiatives include:
FARMED website update – www.farmed.ca
Farmer Appreciation Week
Agritourism Circle Tour
North Cariboo Farm Tour Brochure