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<br />We are a group of 13 established farmers and artisans who have repeatedly <br />attempted to work in good faith with the current market manager to have the <br />market focus on growth, on farmers, and be run with accountability and <br />transparency. <br />We have exhausted every effort to work within the confines of the current self- <br />appointed market manager to no avail. Every substantive change has been <br />resisted. <br />We represent <br />- Almost all of the year-round vendors at last year's market <br />- 7 of the 10 vendors who attended markets most frequently during the 2006 season <br />- The majority of the active market vendors who are farmers <br />- The full range of farm products (produce, fruit, honey, eggs, meats, cheeses, plants, <br />cut flowers, herbs, value-added farm products) <br />What we are doing <br />Creating and maintaining a market that supports farmers and the larger community. We <br />will expand and enhance the economic strength and viability of farmers in Orange <br />Counfy and the Piedmont of North Carolina while contributing to the education, health, <br />and wealth of county residents. Our goals are to: <br />1. Create and increase opportunities for farmers to sell their products directly to <br />consumers <br />2. Create and increase opportunities for consumers to buy local products directly from <br />farmers <br />3. Bring together families, neighbors, visitors, and local food producers to create a <br />sense of community and social gathering <br />4. Create a vibrant market that makes Hillsborough a destination for tourists and <br />visitors <br />Provide a vehicle to educate the community on the importance of nutrition and good <br />health <br />Our approach vs. the current approach <br />Best Practices Our New Market <br />Incorporated and Registered Yes <br />Board of Directors Yes <br />By-laws and Governance Yes <br />Board and Liability Insurance Yes <br />Financial Accountability and <br />Transparency Yes <br />Focused on farmers Yes <br />Focused on growth Yes <br />Professionally managed Yes <br />Partnering with business <br />And community Yes <br />Current Market <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />No <br />Ideas we are ready to implement to increase opportunities far farmers, <br />consumers, and our community <br />- Work with local restaurants and organizations to promote "locally-grown" dinners and <br />events featuring HFM products <br />