Argus Farm Stop put down roots at 325 W. Liberty in 2014 with a mission to support small, local farms and grow our local agricultural economy. Today, with three locations, a dedicated community of farmers and consumers, and a $20 million impact, Argus Farm Stop has an inspiring story to share.
Speaker: Laura Matney is the general manager at Argus Farm Stop, a role she has organically grown into since she started as the first Liberty Street store manager in 2014. She has helped lead the development and growth of both locations from Day 1 and now oversees both markets, cafes, online operations, and training. She specializes in staff management, bookkeeping, and bringing the “big picture” to reality. Her unofficial job title is Chief Cat Herder and her favorite vegetable is a hakurei turnip. She strongly believes there is a need to localize our food system and is driven by the real economic impact that Argus has on our local food economy.
Prior to helping start Argus, Laura worked in wholesale operations, local business management, non-profit management, and retail business operations. She graduated with an MBA from Eastern Michigan University and earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics at the University of Michigan.
Kathy Sample and her husband Bill Brinkerhoff co-founded Argus Farm Stop with a desire to help small, local farms succeed. In 2014, they launched their one-stop shop, where farmers sell their locally grown goods year-round. When consumers shop in traditional grocery stores, farmers receive about 15% of the sale price for their produce. Under the Argus model, farmers own their produce, set the price, and keep 70% of the sale. In its 10 years, Argus has paid out more than $20 million to a network of 200 local Michigan farmers and producers. Argus also offers a food program supporting affordable access to locally grown produce, plus food boxes, delivery service and online ordering.
Kathy was named “Woman of the Year” by United Way, Washtenaw County, for her role in supporting farmers and her volunteerism in the community (at Peace Neighborhood Center for nearly two decades) and other area non-profits. Prior to opening Argus, Kathy worked in the corporate automotive, chemical and medical industries, as well as in business planning and marketing. A graduate of U-M's Ross School of Business, she earned a B.S. in chemistry at Michigan State University. Kathy’s husband and partner in Argus Farm Stops, Bill Brinkerhoff worked for more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. They met while completing their MBAs at the University of Michigan. They recently purchased a small, productive farm north of Ann Arbor, in order to protect it from development.
Members, please register here for lunch ($18) and the program, or program only, by midnight, October 3rd. Doors open at 11:30 am; lunch is at noon; the presentation begins at 1 pm.
Guest of AAF&G members are welcome to attend the presentation at no cost (registration required). Members, you can register your guest here for lunch ($18) and/or the presentation only. Doors open at 11:30 pm. Please register by midnight, October 3rd.
Non-AAF&G members are welcome to attend the program for a $5 admission fee. All funds support Ann Arbor Farm & Garden’s annual garden-related grant and scholarship awards. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Please register by midnight, October 3rd.