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NAFDMA Benefits and Services
HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT
What members have to say about NAFDMA.....
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WHO CAN BENEFIT
NAFDMA provides services for all sectors of the farm direct marketing industry. One of our primary functions is to link folks together to assist all those involved in farm direct marketing to advance themselves, their businesses and the industry as a whole. Whether you operate a farm business, are a farm educator, own a business that offers services or products for farms, or are looking to further your career in the industry, NAFDMA's membership can help you. Our members include:
Farm Operators: Our core group, farmers who are actively engaged in farm direct marketing through farm stands, farmers' markets, entertainment agriculture operations, and the great variety of other farm direct marketing venues.
Service Professionals: Extension, State/Provincial Departments and Ministries of Agriculture, State and Regional Associations, private consultants, and others who are dedicated to the agricultural industry.
Allied Industry Suppliers and Agricultural Media: Businesses, individuals and publications that are involved in supplying farm direct marketers with, goods, services, and information that promotes the well-being of family farms.
Farmers' Market Managers and Organizers: Managers, community leaders, and developers who promote the establishment of organized urban and rural farmers' markets.
WHAT WE OFFER
 NETWORKING AND FELLOWSHIP
Though perhaps somewhat intangible, networking and fellowship is the most valued benefit to our members. NAFDMA has a variety of programs, services and resources that allow members to share ideas and innovations that will help them to grow and shape their businesses.
NAFDMA Web Site - Our web site includes information on our upcoming events and links to all your networking resources.
Association Behind the Scenes - For members only, this new website section give you access to:
- Electronic Version of the 2012 NAFDMA Yearbook
- Member Swaps – buy and sell forum
- NAFDMA Network – discussion and Q & A forum
- Exclusive Resources (more – coming soon!)
- Membership profile control - Even add individual names to your membership to give members of your farm or business family access to on-line member benefits with their own unique user name and password.
The NAFDMA Yearbook - Produced annually, the yearbook contains useful membership information and summaries of presentations given at the annual NAFDMA Convention. All convention convention attendees receive a hard copy of the Yearbook. All Members have access to an electronic version.
"Market Connection," our Members' E-Newsletter - The NAFDMA newsletter is produced quarterly to bring you the very latest news you can use. Read about NAFDMA members and their businesses, the most up-to-date association news, and other information and events of special interest to farm direct marketers.
Recognition Awards - Each year, NAFDMA recognizes a few people for outstanding accomplishments in the farm direct marketing industry. Peers make the nominations. Final selections are made by past recipients who themselves were nominated and chosen by the entire membership. Award winners can us this honor to gain local visibility and media attention for their farm or service. Each year the process motivates members to be their best, not because they need to win the award, just because they're proud to be in the game.
Celebrate Excellence Contests - All NAFDMA members are eligible to enter the Outstanding Brochure, Outstanding Newsletter, and Outstanding Web Site contests and several additional contest categories. They’re free to enter, and the winners receive some great publicity from the press release that NAFDMA sends.
Professional Association Management Company: NAFDMA contracts the management of the association to White Loaf Ridge Management Company. This professional service provides membership support and advocacy. Contact the NAFDMA office whenever you have questions or special requests of the association.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Annual Conventions: NAFDMA hosts the premier farm direct marketing convention in North America. The NAFDMA convention moves to a different region of North America each year. Attendees get the opportunity to see new markets and new marketing ideas in a professional, noncompetitive environment. NAFDMA has an impressive track record of international convention locations, visit our Convention Page for more details on the events that take place during the annual convention.
Annual Bus Tours: NAFDMA's bus tours are undoubtedly the best-kept secret in today's world of high technology. What do you get when you cram 55 like-minded farmers into one bus for three days? You get real people, real dialogue, and real knowledge and relationships that last for a lifetime. NAFDMA runs bus tours with the annual conference each year. The tours visit unique tourist destinations that highlight the culture and environment of the host regions. More important, participants visit the most outstanding farm markets in North America. They're not always the largest, the newest, or the richest. They are innovative, successful, and the most willing to share their secrets, their shortfalls, and their dreams for the future.
Annual Workshops: NAFDMA members benefit from the size and ability of the association to attract top-name speakers with proven skills and experience. Our workshops go into the details of their subject matter. They are one of the conference highlights for those members who crave knowledge and a thorough understanding, and who recognize that their success rides on their ability to stay on the cutting edge.
Annual Trade Show: The NAFDMA Annual Conference is always accompanied by a trade show. The trade show connects farm direct marketers with suppliers of goods and services that are unique to our industry. Everyone benefits at our trade shows. Exhibitors gain new clients, farm marketers locate new sources, service professionals make new contacts and spread the word on product lines that offer new opportunities.
Advanced Learning Retreats: These are two-day, intensive educational retreats held at a NAFDMA member farm during their operating season. This is an amazing networking and learning opportunity. Visit the NAFDMA ALR Page for more details.
NAFDMA Web site Resources: The NAFDMA Web site is the best place to learn about the association and is quickly becoming one of the most valued membership benefits. Our Web site provides the most up-to-date information on conferences, membership programs, contact information of members across the continent, and much more. Watch this site closely as we update the public resources page and additional members only services. Check out the Resources Page of the website for numerous documents and links to information you can use to find new inspirations or improve upon what you already have.
MEMBERSHIP ENTERPRISE CATEGORIES
If you are not sure which category is best for you, consider this - - membership in NAFDMA is much like that all-you-can-eat buffet at your neighborhood restaurant. You choose what is right for you at any given moment. Our categories are merely so that we can focus our efforts on the needs of the membership. Many farms that may consider themselves growers also have an on-farm retail market. A large number of the retailers grow and package their own fruit and vegetables. You may be surprised at how many service providers own and operate a family farm themselves. Step up to the buffet! You pick and choose what is needed for your operation, career, or livelihood.
Grower - This category of membership is for farms that focus on farm production and growing practices on there own farms. Orchards and produce growers, members in this group strive to produce and market the best "local to them" farm products.
Retailer - Owners and managers of retail farm markets are in this category. Their focus is on creating displays that sell, offering products their customers want and always staying fresh and current with consumer buying trends.
Entertainer - These farms offer on-farm experiences. Often referred to as agritourism operators, members of this category are involved in a wide variety of on-farm activities from wineries to corn mazes, from festivals to bed & breakfast stays, from school tours to weddings.
Service Providers - Representatives of Cooperative Extension, Ministries of Agriculture, State Departments of Agriculture, Farmers Market Managers and other service professionals members in this category work tirelessly to improve the standards of our industry. They are on the front lines of gathering timely and relevant information to bring to their local farmers.
Suppliers - Those representatives of businesses that supply products and services to the farm direct marketing industry will benefit from membership in this category. NAFDMA member farms are always looking for quality products and new activities to provide for their customers.
START YOUR BENEFITS
Membership Levels
Connection Membership $150
This is our basic membership level. Members at this level receive all the Networking and Fellowship benefits offered by NAFDMA.
Convention Membership $250
This is our premier membership level. Members at this level receive all the Networking and Fellowship benefits offered by NAFDMA plus access to register to join us for all Educational Programs.
Click Here to Join Now !
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