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Holiday Greetings |
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Our year is just about coming to an end. The warmth of family, friends and delicious food from our family farms has seen another Thanksgiving, and in another few weeks some of us may replace turkey with ham, or roast beef, but I’m pretty sure there will be bountiful tables in our homes as we celebrate Christmas and other holidays leading up to New Year 2009. I hope this year has been a good one, but I know many of us are struggling with the economy, whether it’s in our kitchen or at the home of friends. And let us remember, in this time of giving, that there are many in our hometowns who will not receive any gifts without the goodness that comes from our hearts. Food pantries have many empty spaces, and many agencies which collect food, clothing, and toys and games for the little ones through the teen-age years have a much heavier task this year. I hope that your family will give to others as much as you can. Even in lean times, we can give thanks for the blessings we have. Even in lean times, let’s not forget those who have so much less.
Peace and joy to each and all of you. May 2009 bring brighter times for us all.
Cathy Lewis, ANA President
ANA Winter Conference in Hickory February 19-20
Park Inn Conference Center
Take US 70 East off US 321 North and I-40 |
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The ANA Winter Conference registration brochure will be mailed to all ANA members soon. The deadline for registration at ‘early bird’ rates is January 30th. Registration for members is $65, and for non-members is $75. Late registration is $85. The brochure link is on the Agritourism Office website, www.ncagr.gov/agritourism. The draft agenda below is also on that page as a link. Finally, vendors and ANA members are encouraged to exhibit at the conference. A link to the exhibitor information is also on the Agritourism website.
Renew your membership! Send your 2009 membership application and check with your conference registration.
2009 ANA Winter Conference, Hickory, NC
February 19-20, 2009 |
Thursday Night
5:30 – 7 pm
Reception – WoodMill Vineyard and Winery
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Friday |
Session I – A |
Session II – A |
Lunch |
Session III-A |
Session IV - A |
Session V
All Convene |
8:00 – 9:00 am
Opening Session:
Agritourism – My Past & the ANA Future:
Dr. Richard Reich, Asst. Comm., DA&CS
President’s Report; Election of Officers; Treasurer’s Report; Caucus of Districts to Nominate New District Directors; Installation of 2009 Officers and Board |
9:10 – 10:10 am
Success in the Countryside: Farm Stories
Woosley Farm,
Helms Christmas Tree Farm,
WoodMill Vineyards & Winery
Moderator:
Paul Marshall |
10:20-11:20 am
Business Planning
for Small Businesses,
Debi Joyce Debi Joyce Consulting
Moderator:
Kristi Marshall
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11:30 – 12:15 pm
Lunch
12:15 – 1:00 pm
Storytellers Share Their Tales: The Ammons Sisters
Moderator:
Craig Swindler
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1:10 – 2:10 pm
Storytelling Workshop: How to Tell Your Story:
The Ammons Sisters
Moderator:
Craig Swindler |
2:20 – 3:20 pm
Web Design – General Store & Your Web Site
Matt Ryan
NCDA&CS
Moderator:
Anne Bisese
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3:30 – 4:15 pm
What’s Next?
ANA – Next Steps, Evaluations,
and 2009 District Workshops
Cathy Lewis
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Session I-B |
Session II-B |
**All Day** |
Session III-B |
Session IV-B |
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Lobbying Public Officials - Grassroots & You
Ray Starling, NCDA &CS
Moderator: Cathy Lewis |
Web Design – General Store & Your Web Site
Matt Ryan
NCDA&CS
Moderator:
Anne Bisese |
Exhibit Areas:
I. Gift Shops-Your Products Trade Show
II. Vendor Exhibits
III. DOT – Signs
IV. ANA Insurance Agents
V.RAFI, Tobacco Trust Fund, Handmade in America and others (to be invited)
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Business Planning
for Small Businesses
Debi Joyce Debi Joyce Consulting
Moderator: Kristi Marshall |
More Success in the Countryside: Farm
Stories
A Day at the Farm, Gillis Farm, Cypress Bend Vineyard
Moderators: Peggy & Walter Edmondson |
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Tobacco Trust Fund Awards Grant for Statewide Agritourism Map, “Discover NC Farms”
The Agritourism Office has been awarded a grant to produce a large statewide map of agritourism farms and vineyards in North Carolina. The cover letter, application and Visitor Response Survey are also found on the Agritourism website under “Discover North Carolina Farms” Agritourism Map. The deadline is a very short one, as space is limited for the map, and selected farms will be chosen through a combination of when the application is received, the completeness of the application, membership in ANA and/or Goodness Grows, and how much space is needed to accommodate as many farms as possible. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, January 9, 2009, or received by email on or before that date.
The three documents may be accessed on the Agritourism website, www.ncagr.gov/agritourism. |
