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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 via 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.
Board of Directors
When emailing directors, please put AFFPA in the subject line.
The AFFPA Board meets every 3rd week.
President: Tam Anderson
Email: president@albertafarmfresh.co
Vice President: Richard Staples
Email: vicepresident@albertafarmfresh.com
Treasurer: Leona Bonneau
I’m Leona Bonneau. I’ve been on the board since December 2022 as secretary and now treasurer. I was born and raised in the Bonnyville area. Myself and my husband together own and operate Charlotte Lake Farms since 2014 although the farm has been in my family since 1911. We raise angus beef while selling farm to table and run a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch in the fall. I’m a retired Chartered Professional Accountant which gives me the abilities to help AFFPA with their accounting needs.
Phone:
Email: treasurer@albertafarmfresh.com
Secretary: Leona Bonneau
Email: secretary@albertafarmfresh.com
Director: Cindy Collins
South Region – Director at Large
Phone:
Email: cta_2@hotmail.com
Director: Rick Barr
Central Region – Director at Large
Phone:
Email:
Board Advisor: Rob Spencer
Ex-Officio: Eileen Kotowich
Eileen Kotowich is the farmers’ market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. In addition to managing the Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market Program, she works with producers and processors who sell direct to consumer through farmers’ markets and on-farm and those who wish to expand into retail and foodservice markets. She has sat on the AFFPA board as an ex officio advisor since 2011, providing governance advice and guidance, strategic planning facilitation and assistance with the annual conference.
Ex-Officio – Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
Phone: 780-853-8223
Email: exofficio@albertafarmfresh.com
Board Advisor: Blaine Staples
Blaine and Leona Staples are the owners of The Jungle Farm and believe volunteering creates a better world. They have been involved in various organizations and groups.
They also like to be actively involved in industry organizations such as Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, North America Strawberry Growers, Olds College, Innisfail Chamber of Commerce and Innisfail Coop.
Board Advisor
Board Advisor: Sharon Faye
Sharon Faye is the Local Food Coordinator at Leduc County and one of the advisors to the AFFPA Board.
Sharon brings her experience in soils, crop research, horticulture production, market research and leading industry/government collaborative projects.
Over the past 30 years, she has worked in agriculture in various capacities, such as a technician in crop research trials at the University of Saskatchewan, and as an Instructional Assistant at Olds College. Later, her role as a Market Analyst in crops for over 15 years with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, led her to work closely with the horticulture/direct market industry, doing research and leading industry-related projects. More recently, her work within municipal government also has been related to local food and direct markets.
Sharon has a passion for agriculture. Some of the most rewarding moments in her career have been working with producers and government on initiatives, as well as working with producers to strengthen the local food/direct market industry and create a greater awareness in the community.
Board Advisor
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