About Us

I am very fortunate to work with my husband, son and dad in our mustard business, Cian’s Mustard. We have been operating since 2013, sustainably growing and though life gave us lemons we decided to make mustard instead, pursuing it full time.
My background is child, family and community care throwing in a bit of life coaching. Seeing people succeed is my passion! I am a bit of a warrior when I believe in something and seeing people pursue their dreams is always inspiring. So much so, that we have opened our production facili!ty for others to use as they grow, sharing our experiences to assist others along their paths.

It seemed to be a natural fit of taking an active role with Alberta Farmers Market Association as I appreciate the full circle (you – family – community – farmers market). I look forward to what we can grow together!

Melonie McKee has been the Market and Events Manager for the Millarville Farmers’ Market since 2012.

Having been in this industry for so many years, this is something that I love and am very passionate about. I love the sense of community, partnerships, friendships, and education the markets give to everyone participating in or shopping at. I am eager to continually educate myself on the latest trends and regulations and am always happy to mentor vendors or managers.

I have been volunteering in different ways most of my life from organizing and acting in the incredibly successful local SpookHouse at our local Legion, School programs, leading programs to make Kenyan orphanages sustainable (farm) and drive a sponsorship program for the children within them from Canada and being boots on the ground and am a proud member of the Lions Club. I have sat on many different boards, holding various positions, including AFMA for 6 prior years.

I am a wife and a mother of three beautiful girls and a quirky chocolate lab, living the best life in the heart of the Foothills of Southern Alberta at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

I am the Manager of the St. Albert Farmers’ Market. This role has brought new meaning to my career as I thoroughly enjoy being a part of something so wonderful. I have been a public servant and avid volunteer for decades and take great pride in my community and those who serve it. Farmers’ markets have always been a way for local businesses and community members to get together in a shared space. I aim to be a voice for all involved to ensure the continued success of the market. My husband and I have two small children, and it is quickly becoming a tradition for them to visit the market each Saturday.

I am the Market Manager for the Onoway Farmers Market. This will be my fourth season running the market.  Along with this I homeschool my 3 children, run a small dayhome, manage the local Arena Concession and do the day to day book work for my husbands construction business.  I have a passion for local, home grown, home made products. I enjoy meeting new people and learning from my vendors. I also use my background in childcare to build our Market Buds program to encourage families to come out to the market.  I look forward to being a part of the AFMA and helping preserve the Farmers Market experience.

Steve Souto was born and raised on his family orchard in Oliver, BC, where his parents taught him everything about growing fruit and running a sustainable business. 11 years ago, Steve and his brother Daniel moved to Alberta to start Steve & Dan’s Fresh BC Fruit, which has grown into a trusted source of BC fruit at Alberta farmers’ markets. Steve is passionate about running an honest, transparent business that is bigger than selling fruit. He understands the importance of building the connection between ourselves and what we eat. Steve has a beautiful little family of his own, wife Sabrina and son Matthew turning 5 this summer. In the summer, you can find Steve at a few farmers’ markets throughout the week.

My experience in graphic design goes back a few years 😉 I graduate from Grant MacEwan when Photoshop version 1.0 came out! Most recently I worked at a Print & Sign shop for over a dozen years. This gave me hundreds of opportunities to creatively promote entrepreneurs. Over the last few years, I’ve been able to sharpen those skills with online marketing courses.
Almost everyone feels the guilt to Shop Local. But guilt is a poor motivator. It makes it feel more like a burden. Spurring each other on with the 3 prongs of praise, coopertition and blind-sighting will Grow Local!

Praise is the easiest spur to give and receive. When someone praises us we are motivated to live up to that expectation.
Coopertition is a spur of always competing to improve but helping each other when we can. Remembering that a rising tide floats all boats.
Blind-sighting . . . use this spur with caution because it could sting. It’s pointing out an area someone could improve in that they don’t see, it’s in their blind spot.
Spurring each other on we can all GROW Local through our Farmers’ Market.

Cheryl’s love for Farmers Markets started over 15 years ago when she was a vendor in 4 weekly markets.  For five years Cheryl has been managing the Crossfield Farmers Market and has been instrumental in rebuilding the market. She loves the culture a Farmers Market brings to a community and is very passionate and protective of the vendor tribe. It brings her joy to see a new vendor bring their creation to the market, gain confidence in their marketing skills and flourish. She enjoys seeing people in the community come to buy from local vendors and producers and support their local Farmers Market.

Kathy is a retired Sr. Executive Assistant and has supported CEO’s and other Executive in several
industry types in the non-profit and private sector for over 40 years. In 2019, Kathy stepped
down from permanent administrative work and has continued on occasion, as a Consultant. In
2021, she started two businesses: Heaven Scent Body Naturals and Eden Edibles. The vision of
both her companies is to produce and offer items that are healthy and wholesome for the body
– both inside and out.
Kathy hand-crafts vegan, paraben and phthalate-free natural body products using only organic
ingredients. Her products are unique because of their vibrant colours, beautiful shapes and
magnificent scents – they look good enough to eat! The same goes for her food business – only
organic ingredients are used whenever possible. Kathy and her husband reside in Sturgeon
County where most of the vegetables used in her menu are home grown in their greenhouses.
They also offer raw and infused honey from their apiary. Her freeze-dried fruits and veggies are
an example of one of the delicious items she offers.
Kathy participates in the “Verified Vendor” program through AFMA and the Government of
Alberta’s “Made in Alberta” program. You can find her at many Farmers Markets and Special
Events in and around Edmonton year-round.

Ashley Kingsbury is mom to a 7 year old and 1 year old with her husband, Lawrence, and have been together for 19 years. She runs an allergen friendly home based bakery, “gimme ALL the cake”, making custom cakes, treats, and cake mixes. Her goal is to move into a food trailer and sell her mixes in grocers.

She founded and manages the Beaumont Alberta Farmers Market since 2021. She sits as secretary for their governing board; planning their AGM, vendor meetings, board appreciation, daily operations of the market, and anything else that arises.

She sits on the committee for the Rural Roots Fair with the Beaumont and District Agricultural Society. Her primary role is the planning of the farmers market at the fair.

She is in her second term (year three) as a director for the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. While on the board she has assisted with memberships, reaching out to new businesses, social media, planning their AGM, and assisting with planning the annual Gala.

In 2023, she ran in Beaumont’s municipal by-election for Beaumont City Council, which was an exciting experience and an incredible learning opportunity.

Ashley is grateful for everything AFMA does for markets, and she is excited to be able to play a role on the board!

Christie is a passionate advocate for sustainable living, local economies, and education. With a background in education and a commitment to fostering a connection between children and the origins of their food, Christie developed the Market Buds children’s program focused on local food education at farmers’ markets.

Christie has pioneered initiatives to teach shoppers of all ages about the journey of their food from farm to table. She strives to educate consumers about the significance of knowing where their food comes from and the vital role local farmers play.

Christie’s commitment to local farmers’ markets is resolute. In the pursuit of more connected, sustainable, and thriving communities, she actively advocates for and champions the vital role of both farmers’ markets and the small business entrepreneurs who contribute to them.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (Associate member)
Non-voting Ex Officio Advisor

I started working with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in 1999 and specifically with the Farmers’ Market Program in 2004, learning from a great mentor, Penny Wilkes. I took over as farmers’ market specialist in 2008 and since that time have developed market manager training and numerous other resources to help managers and vendors be more successful in their roles. My role with the AFMA board is as a non-voting ex officio member, providing advice and guidance on governance, collaboration opportunities, learning events, etc. My role with the government gives me the opportunity to visit over 50 markets each season, getting a chance to know managers and vendors from around the province and purchase some amazing products. Clearly the best job in the world!