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2026 BC Farmers' Markets Conference - Request for Workshop Proposals

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 10, 2025 at 5PM PT.

The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) is seeking information-packed, relevant and engaging workshops and Action Labs for our 2026 BC Farmers' Market conference. We welcome your submission!

The conference features three days of networking, workshops and learning, bringing together farmers' market managers, board of director members and community stakeholders.


Conference Details

Date: Friday, March 6 - Sunday, March 8, 2026
Venue: Pinnacle Hotel, North Vancouver, BC


Workshop and Action Lab Details

Friday Full-Day Workshops
  • Full day workshops run 9 - 3 on Friday
  • Full day workshops are strategic 5-hour sessions that will lead attendees in developing skills that they can add to their professional development and betterment of their farmers' market.
  • In the past we have held full day workshops on:
    • FoodSafe Level 1
    • MarketSafe
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Indigenous Relations Training
Saturday Workshops
  • Workshop sessions will run for 60 minutes
  • We welcome a variety of workshop formats, including panels, interactive sessions, individual presentations, as well as posters and infographics

Action Labs
  • Action Lab sessions will run for 120 minutes.
  • Action Labs are strategic 2-hour sessions that will lead attendees in developing a strategy to implement at their farmers' market. This is meant to be a more in depth and interactive lab topic. Each Action Lab presenter will be required to provide worksheets for attendees to work through and take notes on (approx 4 or 5 pages).
  • Areas that our membership have expressed interest in learning include but are not limited to:
    • Creating an Inclusive Space
    • Utilizing AI For Non-Profit Management
    • Building an HR Strategy for your Market
    • Creating a Fundraising Strategy
    • Board Governance & Recruitment
    • Managing a Successful Volunteer Program

General details
  • Between 25-45 people will attend each session
  • All sessions:
    • Are learning experiences and are non-commercial
    • Should include some interactive or experiential elements in your design, as appropriate
    • Should include one or more action items that participants can take away
    • Should also include a list of resources available online to further help attendees

Theme
  • Our 2026 conference is a celebration of BCAFM's 25th anniversary!
  • We will accept proposals which focus on these topics:
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Digital Technology and Non-Profits
    • Volunteer Recruitment and Management
    • Marketing Tactics
    • Equity in the Farmers' Market Space
    • Non-Profit Governance
    • Human Resources Management
    • Fundraising
    • Grant Writing

Compensation

We are a non-profit organization and do our best to keep conference expenses as low as possible. We value the skills and expertise of our presenters. The following are potentially available to support your presentation:
  • One free conference registration for the first presenter, and a discount for additional presenters
  • Modest honorarium
  • Limited reimbursement of travel costs

We will review proposals and contact you about the outcome in August.


Contact Information
1.Your Full Name(Required.)
2.Your Organization(Required.)
3.Phone Number(Required.)
4.Email Address(Required.)
5.Website (if applicable)
6.Which stream does your topic fit into?(Required.)
Full-Day Friday Workshop

If submitting a full-day workshop proposal, please fill out all sections (title, description and action items). The full-day workshops will run on Friday.
7.Workshop Title
This can be a working title.
8.Workshop Description
The description should clearly show what the session is about. Include what you expect the attendees to learn as a result of your workshop. We strongly encourage the sessions include some interactive or experiential elements in your design, as appropriate. Also include what additional online resources you will provide to support attendees after the workshop (for example YouTube video, further one-on-one consultation, links to articles, etc).
9.Action Items
All sessions should include one or more clear, tangible action items that participants can implement in their work. Please list your workshop action item(s) below.
One-Hour Saturday Workshop Session

If submitting a one-hour workshop proposal, please fill out all sections (title, description and action items).
10.Workshop Title
This can be a working title.
11.Workshop Description
The description should clearly show what the session is about. Include what you expect the attendees to learn as a result of your workshop. We strongly encourage the sessions include some interactive or experiential elements in your design, as appropriate. Also include what additional online resources you will provide to support attendees after the workshop (for example YouTube video, further one-on-one consultation, links to articles, etc).
12.Action Items
All sessions should include one or more clear, tangible action items that participants can implement in their work. Please list your workshop action item(s) below.
Sunday Action Lab

If submitting an Action Lab proposal, please fill out all sections (title and description).
13.Action Labs Title
This can be a working title.
14.Action Labs Description
The description should clearly show what the session is about. Include what you expect the attendees to learn as a result of your Action Lab.

Action Labs are strategic 2-hour sessions that will lead attendees in developing a strategy to implement at their farmers' market. This is meant to be a more in depth and interactive lab topic. Each Action Lab presenter will be required to provide worksheets for attendees to work through and take notes on (approx 4 or 5 pages).

Areas that our membership have expressed interest in learning include but are not limited to:
  • Creating an Inclusive Space
  • Utilizing AI For Non-Profit Management
  • Building an HR Strategy for your Market
  • Creating a Fundraising Strategy
  • Board Governance & Recruitment
  • Managing a Successful Volunteer Program
    Additional Details
    15.Is there any equipment or technology you may need?
    Ex. internet access, audio speakers, projector, flip charts, etc.    (Required.)
    16.List of other presenters or panelists
    If your workshop will include other presenters or panelists, please list them here.
    17.Presenter(s) bio(s)
    Please include a short biography for each presenter.    (Required.)
    18.What is your preferred method of compensation for your time?(Required.)
    19.Is there anything we can do to enable you to be able to fully participate in this event as a presenter?