Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 10, 1990 TAG: 9005100242
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B6 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: HILLSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Southwest Virginia will be the only farmers' market region with its own board set up by the Virginia Farmers' Market Board in Richmond.
The state board said the regional organization would promote the use of the Southwest Virginia Farmers' Market by farmers from throughout that part of the state, encourage the production of agricultural goods, and recommend policies to the state board to enhance the regional market's operation.
The regional board will include representatives from the counties of Carroll, Patrick, Floyd, Pulaski, Grayson, Wythe, Washington, Smyth, Lee, Wise, Scott, Russell, Bland, Tazewell, Montgomery, Roanoke, Craig and Giles, as well as the North Carolina counties of Surry and Allegheny.
Nominations will be made by boards of supervisors in each county and approved by the state board. Representatives must be from the agricultural community.
Members will serve four-year terms. Each county may also nominate an alternate.
Carroll County officials had considered putting in a bid with the state to operate the Southwest Virginia market, but the Board of Supervisors decided Wednesday that it would be too cumbersome for the county to get representatives together from all the other member counties.
"I feel like it would be a pain in the neck to try and get anything done," said Supervisor J. Eddie Vaughan.
The county will still honor its agreement with the state to make the site available as a farmers' market, but the supervisors were concerned by the amount of time it is taking the state to start construction. Under the agreement, if construction has not started within two years, the land reverts to Carroll County.
Ground was broken for construction in a ceremony Aug. 9.
by CNB