February 29, 2008

8:00    Registration:  ASU Convocation Center Auditorium (Lower Red)

8:30    Welcome and Opening Session

             Dr. Robert Potts, Chancellor,       Arkansas State University

             Bob Young, Project Coordinator, East Arkansas Resource

                Conservation & Development

            Jean Jones, President, Arkansas Farmers’ Market Association

Think Like Your Customer: How Your Choices Benefit Consumers

Moderator - Pam Alexander

8:45    The Benefits of Farmers’ Markets  Al Myles, Ph.D.

Economist, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, Mississippi

9:15    Buying Local Makes a Difference  Melissa Petersen

Owner, Edible Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee

9:45    There is a Market for Local Crops  Stephen Hassinger

Chef at Hunt Phelan, Memphis, Tennessee

10:15    Break

10:30   Creating Curb Appeal:  Showcasing Your Farm Products Jill Forrester, Owner, Whitton Flowers & Produce, Tyronza, Arkansas

11:00   Road to Riches: Marketing Organic Products

Steve Seideman, Ph.D., Extension Food Processing Specialist for Arkansas

11:30   Succeeding With Major Vegetable Crops  Keith Forrester

            Owner, Whitton Flowers & Produce, Tyronza, Arkansas

12:00   Lunch in the Hames Room

Welcome & Introductions by Eric Grant

Cajun Humorist - Al Langlois, Ph.D.

Extending Your Growing Season With Specialty Crops

and Production Methods

Moderator - Bill Shannon

1:15   Concurrent Sessions

Mezzanine East

AFMA Annual Business Meeting Call to Order

Jean Jones, President.

Minutes of the 2007 Meeting Richard Klerk

National Efforts to Support   Local Markets  Jim Lukens  Notes

Election of AFMA Board    Members  Jean Jones

2:15    Break

2:30    Growing Greenhouse Vegetable and Flower Transplants

J. Kim Pittcock, Ph.D. ; Associate Dean and Associate

Professor  of Horticulture, Arkansas State University

3:00    Arkansas Agriculture Department Program Update

Tim Ellison; Arkansas State Plant Board

3:30    Evaluation and Door Prizes

4:00    Adjourn