Agenda - 01-22-2009 - 6b - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Town of FIR Hills` rb g 9 l7H it C 1991 ios•oflliibo,aul} October 13,2008 Dear Members of the Hillsborough Farmer's Market, This letter comes to you at the request of your leadership to have something in writing to put before you regarding creating a unified farmers market at the Public Market House facility in Hillsborough. The Hillsborough Farmers Market(HFM)Leadership Group met with the Orange County Farmers Market (OCFM)Oversight Committee recently.There were several things on which everyone agreed: • We would all prefer to see a single, unified farmers market in Hillsborough; • We recognize that Beverly and HFM created the appreciation for a downtown farmers market,has been a presence that has benefited the community,was instrumental in bringing about the Public Market House-and that all of these should be celebrated regardless of what else evolves; • We believe a farmers market is best operated as an organization that exists as an entity independent of county or town government;(The OCFM oversight committee believes this organization should governed by its stakeholders:vendors,customers,and community representatives); • We believe a vibrant farmers market brings many benefits to market customers,vendors,farmers, and the greater Orange County community; The Public Market House is the place where the community decided to locate its farmers market,and has invested both federal and local resources to create a beautiful facility.We believe the Public Market House facility will add significantly to the long list of why it is wonderful to live in or visit Hillsborough, not just for a farmers market, but as a community gathering place for any number of events throughout the year.We look forward next season to the completion of the judicial building,with additional parking and expanded access to the adjacent park. Early in the year competing groups asked for use of this facility.The circumstances that led to two competing groups is tragic as both HFM and Farmers of Orange are composed of great people.Our county commissioners decided rather than have winners or losers between the two groups,they would create an independent process that would allow anyone who wanted use the facility to be able to do so, with the intent to separate operation of the market from past conflicts, and to ensure stakeholders would eventually be able to participate in the market governance as an independent organization. In response, people from HFM, Farmers of Orange,farmers and artisans not affiliated with either group, and citizen volunteers have all worked to ensure the market at the Public Market House is viable, successful and open to anyone.This work has resulted in expanded community awareness of this great public facility, a growing customer base,a solid beginning to market operations and governance. We understand that not everyone is pleased with the commissioner's decision to create an independent market. However given that this decision is long behind us,we believe going forward Hillsborough and the greater Orange County community is best served by all vendors coming together to make a farmers market at the Public Market House a vibrant community endeavor-this is the desire we hear most often from the general public.With that in mind,here are action options we invite you to consider: Action One:Apply to the OCFM as a vendor and move to the Public Market House.You are welcome at the Public Market House.We would like to be the means for your continued presence and contribution to sustaining a vibrant farmers market in downtown Hillsborough, including participation in operations and governance as any other member. (This option has been and continues to be open to you without needing any organizational vote whatsoever.Any number of you can pursue this option on your own initiative.) 101 East Orange Street • P.O.Box 429 +Hillsborough,North Carolina 27278 919-732-1270 + 919-644-2390