Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (AFFPA) is dedicated to supporting the production of farm direct market vegetable crops, berry and fruit crops, bedding plants, perennials, herbs, flowers, meats, poultry, eggs, wines, meads, and other specialty items in Alberta.
AFFPA is a voluntary membership, non-profit organization representing direct market growers across the province of Alberta since 1985. Most AFFPA members market directly to consumers through agritourism, U-Pick farms, farm gate sales, CSA shares and/or through Farmers’ Markets.
Associate members are allied trades people or those interested in this type of horticultural production.
The vision of the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association is:
Alberta’s premier resource for producers of farm direct marketing products and their customers providing:
“Supporting and growing a profitable and sustainable local farm direct marketing industry. Bringing fresh, healthy, local food and farm experiences to Alberta communities by connecting local farms and local people.”
If you are a farm direct marketer interested in Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association please contact us at 403-964-FARM (3276) for further information. Membership application forms are available on this site under the “Members Corner” navigation menu.
Tam Andersen, President
Tam’s farm is Prairie Gardens, located in Sturgeon County, near Bon Accord, north of Edmonton. First established in 1956 as a tree nursery, Prairie Gardens is a small scale family farm and horticultural operation. Prairie Garden’s current offerings include the most comprehensive collection of prairie hardy (Zones 1-4) fruit trees, apples, cherries, plums, berries and nut trees they sell at their garden centre and tree nursery. Tam and her daughter Laurel grow 35 acres of market garden vegetables, u-pick strawberries, tart cherries, apples and pumpkins. Her farm has diversified into agritourism, farm-to-table dinners, and on-farm festivals.
Fun Fact! Tam was President of the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers from 1988 – 1992, when it was called the Alberta Market Gardeners Association. She has a passion for our industry and has worked tirelessly for the past 40 years to advocate for agritourism in Alberta.
Richard Staples, Vice President
Richard is part of the next generation behind The Jungle Farm, a multi-generational family farm located just south of Red Deer, Alberta. Rooted in a legacy that dates back to the late 1800s, the farm has been in his family for over five generations and continues to evolve while staying true to its agricultural roots.
With a background in horticulture from Olds College, Richard plays a key role in the farm’s production and innovation, helping lead agricultural priorities and contributing to the growth of crops such as berries and greenhouse production.
Raised on the farm, Richard brings both hands-on experience and a strong appreciation for the role agritourism plays in connecting people to food. He is passionate about educating visitors, creating meaningful on-farm experiences, and continuing the family tradition of producing high-quality, local food while welcoming the public onto the land.
Fun Fact! Richard grew up working the fields and chatting with visitors, so for him, explaining how food is grown is just as natural as growing it.
Leona Bonneau, Treasurer
Leona owns and operates Charlotte Lake Farms with her husband in the Bonnyville area. While they took over the farm in 2014, it has been in Leona’s family since 1911. Charlotte Lake Farms specializes in raising Angus beef, offering farm-to-table sales, and running a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch each fall. Leona is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant, bringing her financial expertise to the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, where she has served on the board since December 2022, first as secretary and now as treasurer.
Fun fact! Leona’s deep-rooted connection to agriculture spans generations, and she is passionate about supporting local food production in Alberta.
Barry Rasch, Secretary
Barry Rasch has deep roots in agriculture, growing up on a dairy farm before his family transitioned to cattle and grain farming. His passion for greenhouse operations led him to pursue work experience programs in high school and spend a season working at Holes Greenhouse in St. Albert. In 1993, he purchased his own commercial greenhouse through a young entrepreneur grant.
Barry later built a career in warehouse, shipping, and logistics while raising his family in Thorsby. He spent 13 years in municipal government as a Councillor and Mayor, gaining experience in intermunicipal negotiations, relationship building, and community projects. In 2004, he founded the Thorsby Communities in Bloom Society, which he has chaired for over 21 years, leading projects, securing grants, and strengthening community ties.
In 2019, Barry earned a Business and Digital Marketing diploma. He received the Giving Gardener Award in 2021 and was nominated for the Platinum Jubilee Award in 2022. Today, Barry is returning to his roots with Urban Mill Greens, a high-tech vertical LED growing container business, aiming to deliver fresh, local produce year-round.
Cindy Collins, Director South Region
Cindy along with her husband Shaun own Collins Farm which is located east of Calgary near the small town of Standard. The farm was first established in 1913 and is a family run grain and cattle operation. In 2020 Cindy and Shaun diversified by adding a U-pick and market garden which offers a variety of vegetables, strawberries, raspberries and soon haskaps and saskatoons. Cindy brings to the board the perspective of a newer u-pick/market garden establishment breaking out from the traditional grain crops and diversifying.
Fun Fact! Cindy is committed to producing locally grown food and is honoured to belong to a board that supports producers through a number of avenues strengthening the industry throughout the province.
Rick Barr, Director Central Region
Rick is the owner of Barr Estate Winery, a small, family-run winery in Sherwood Park, Alberta, known for its handcrafted fruit wines and warm, rustic charm. The winery has become a local favorite for community events, farm visits, and relaxed country experiences.
Rick and his wife Amy run the farm and winery together, growing much of the fruit used in their wines, including rhubarb and raspberries, right on the property. From planting and harvesting to bottling and welcoming guests, they proudly manage every part of the process by hand.
A passionate advocate for Alberta’s local food and farming communities, Rick also serves on the board of the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, championing small producers and the growth of agritourism across the province.
Fun fact! While you may not see Rick’s photo here, you’ll spot his late beloved dog, Jake, a gentle giant who left a big paw print on the hearts of everyone who visited the winery. Jake perfectly embodied the spirit of Barr Estate Winery: welcoming, kind, and larger than life.
Sam Kreuger, Director
Sam is the owner and operator of Sassy G’s Adventure Farm, located near Spruce Grove, Alberta. What began as a small family farm has grown into one of Alberta’s most dynamic agritourism destinations, offering a unique blend of farm experiences, outdoor play, and family-focused activities.
Through Sassy G’s, Sam has helped create a space where visitors of all ages can connect with agriculture in a fun, hands-on way. From farm animals and U-pick experiences to interactive games and Canada’s first Farm Ninja Obstacle Course, the farm is designed to bring people together, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories.
Sam is passionate about making agriculture approachable, engaging, and accessible, and believes agritourism plays a key role in strengthening the connection between farms and the communities they serve. Her work reflects a commitment to innovation, family, and creating joyful experiences rooted in rural life.
Fun Fact! At Sassy G’s, the motto is “we specialize in giggles”… and honestly, Sam might just be Alberta’s unofficial Chief Happiness Officer.
Arden Delidais, Director
Arden is a long-time orchard grower and agritourism operator who manages a 25-acre orchard known for its well-loved U-pick experience, DNA Gardens. For years, her farm has welcomed visitors, creating meaningful connections between people and where their food comes from.
With hands-on experience in direct farm marketing and value-added production, Arden understands both the rewards and the real challenges faced by small-scale producers in Alberta.
She has previously served as a board member with the FGSA and is known for her calm, thoughtful, and collaborative approach. Arden is especially passionate about the role agritourism can play in supporting local farms through education, marketing, and stronger connections between producers and the public.
Fun Fact! When she’s not in the orchard, Arden can usually be found dreaming up new ways to turn a simple farm visit into something people remember long after the last apple is picked.
Eileen Kotowich, Ex-Officio
Eileen is the farmers’ market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. She manages the Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market Program and supports producers and processors who sell directly to consumers through farmers’ markets and on-farm sales. She also helps businesses looking to expand into retail and foodservice markets. Eileen has served as an ex officio advisor on the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association board since 2011, providing governance advice, strategic planning facilitation, and assistance with the annual conference.
Fun fact! Eileen is deeply committed to strengthening Alberta’s local food economy and has been a key advocate for farmers’ markets across the province.
Sharon Faye, Advisor
Sharon is the Local Food Coordinator at Leduc County and serves as an advisor to the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association board. With over 30 years of experience in agriculture, she has worked in soils, crop research, horticultural production, and market analysis. Her career has included roles as a crop research technician at the University of Saskatchewan, an instructional assistant at Olds College, and a market analyst specializing in crops with Alberta Agriculture. Sharon has led industry-government projects and worked closely with producers to support local food and direct marketing initiatives.
Fun fact! Sharon is passionate about strengthening Alberta’s local food industry and takes great pride in connecting producers with opportunities to grow their businesses.
Blaine Staples, Advisor
Blaine and Leona Staples own The Jungle Farm, a family-run operation dedicated to growing fresh, local produce. Passionate about community and industry growth, they actively contribute to organizations such as the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, North American Strawberry Growers, Olds College, the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, and Innisfail Co-op. They believe that volunteering strengthens both the industry and the community, and they are committed to fostering a vibrant local food network.
Fun fact! Blaine and Leona’s dedication to agriculture extends beyond their farm, as they continually work to support and advocate for farmers across Alberta.
Rob Spencer, Advisor
Rob holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Horticulture and a Master of Science in Plant Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan. He worked as a Commercial Horticulture Specialist with Alberta Agriculture for over 17 years before founding Spencer Horticultural Solutions in March 2020, offering customized consulting services to a wide range of clients.
Rob is also a full-time Horticulture Instructor at Olds College. He has written and edited four horticulture production manuals for the prairie provinces and has authored hundreds of articles for a variety of audiences. Rob is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences, sharing his expertise with horticulture groups and the broader agricultural community.
Fun fact! Rob lives with his family in Olds, Alberta, where his passion for horticulture continues to grow both in and out of the classroom.
Renee Miller, Director
Kathryn Dragowska, Communications Coordinator
Kathryn is the Communications Coordinator for the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, where she leads communications and marketing on behalf of Alberta’s direct-market farmers. Her work focuses on growing the province’s agritourism sector and helping local producers thrive.
With 25 years of professional experience, and community engagement, Kathryn brings both strategy and heart to everything she does. A graduate of Concordia University’s Commerce program in Montreal, she’s fluent in English, French, and Polish.
Active in her community, Kathryn mentors adult learners through the Community Adult Learning and Literacy Society, volunteers at the Historical Society and serves on the boards of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition and the Fort Saskatchewan & Lamont Chamber of Commerce.
Fun Fact! Kathryn is an avid world traveller who lives in Fort Saskatchewan with her husband and her three standard poodles… because, as she likes to say, she has standards 🙂
