The Greenbrier Valley could soon see a single, united farmers market; the Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market and representatives from the Lewisburg Farmers Market heard a proposal from Greenbrier County Commission
President Lowell Rose that could result in both associations using the same place. During the annual meeting of the Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market on Thursday, March 14, the two groups planned to move forward to create a united location for local produce shoppers.
The parking lot next to the Greenbrier County Courthouse in Lewisburg has been the location for the Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market for years. Now both the Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market and the Lewisburg Farmers Market are looking to use the same space, offering more produce and products for shoppers to both markets.
This request prompted the County Commission and WVU Extension Service County Program Coordinator Josh Peplowski to create an organization that could accommodate not only these two markets, but any local producers and farmers looking to sell.
According to Rose and Peplowski, a third organization would be created to operate under the direction of the Greenbrier County Commission. This new farmers market will be led by a five member board, with two representatives from each local market, and one independent member that isn’t a partial to either group.
Although a tie would not be possible with a five member board, any issue it would not be able to resolve would be taken to a three-member oversight board appointed by the County Commission. Currently, the oversight board is planned to be composed of Commissioner Tammy Shiflett-Tincher, Peplowski, and another undecided individual. Finally, if an issue is unable to be resolved by the oversight board, the County Commission could be asked to resolve a dispute.
The multiple levels of boards provide a system of conflict resolution, but Rose and the markets seemed to agree the five-member board of directors would be able to handle most, if not all, of the daily business and possible disputes between the groups.
The rules of the newly created market have not been finalized, but the working draft is modeled after a similar market structure in Morgantown, in which multiple markets operate in one location.
The Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market took a vote, agreeing to move forward with the County Commission’s plan, to continue using the parking lot, and to work toward filling one large market location.
“It’s not gonna be a them and an us,” said Pam West. “It’s going to be an us.”
President-elect of the Lewisburg Farmers Market Michael Buttrill explained the Lewisburg Farmers Market still holds a lease on last years location, the parking lot in front of Lewisburg United Methodist Church, but wanted to move locations in order to bring greater unity between the organizations and offer a more cohesive place for shoppers to get their produce.
“The only reason we wanted to move was for the city, was for the people, that asked ‘why are there two farmers markets?’” explained Buttrill.
Buttrill asked a number of questions, primarily concerned with maintaining the ability for the markets to operation independently within the unified group. Rose explained the commission’s plan would not require either market to disband in order to operate on the county-owed property, and each group could still operate independently. For example, if the Lewisburg Farmers Market decides to hold a “meet the farmers” type event in a public park or location other than the county’s lot, it would still be free to do so without needing permission from any other organization.
“Since both sides want to come in and use our parking lot, I think this the best, professional way to handle that,” explained Rose.
Work on the county courthouse’s parking lot however is still ongoing – Rose expects the work to be complete within two or three weeks, depending on the cooperation of the weather. In addition, the new market will also have an application process, which Rose anticipates will begin in a week.
Acknowledging that this timeline is cutting it close to the opening of both markets in mid-April, Rose and his team anticipate everything will be open in time for the season.
In addition, Buttrill offered members of the Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market a place in the Lewisburg Farmers Market’s previous location, should the county’s lot not be finished in time to open the market selling season.
“In the air of moving forward, I welcome the Greenbrier Valley Farmers Market to use our location,” Buttrill said.
One vender spoke up, thanking Rose, Pepowski, and everyone involved and working towards the united location.
“Thank you guys, for taking this step,” said Jeff Kessler of Jeff’s Breads. “I vend at both markets and there are multitudes of people … that [ask] why are there two markets? … It’s silly to argue about who can sit at the dinner table when we want to invite everyone to our dinner table.”
Read more in the Friday, March 15, edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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