Farmer's Market Discussion Turns Controversial at County Meeting

Supervisor Alicia Terry of Gilboa talks about farmer’s markets at the June 19 Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting. Photo by Chris English.

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Many around Schoharie County are excited about the possibility of a new building at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds to house the new county Farmer's Market and, hopefully, some other uses including other farmer's markets.

But that feeling of excitement is certainly not unanimous, and the matter led to some controversy and disagreement at the Friday, June 19 Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The BOS ended up approving a resolution that moves the process forward on applying for a $1.25 million state grant that, if received, would fund construction of the new building at the Fairgrounds. The grant which would come from an Achieve Program called "Rooted in the Mohawk Valley" would require a 10 percent match ($125,000), $250 application fee and 1 percent grant commitment fee.

A tentative proposal put forth by County Administrator Bryan Best at the meeting would have the match and other costs paid for by the county and two partners, with 40 percent coming from the county, 40 percent from the Cobleskill Fairgrounds Board and 20 percent from the county Farmer's Market. That proposal is a long way from being finalized, Best added.

Before the vote on the resolution, people on both sides of the issue went back and forth. Speaking during Privilege of the Floor, Carlisle resident Linda Cross, who owns and operates a sheep farm in that town along with her husband Bob, said that any expenditure of county taxpayer dollars on a proposal she feels only benefits the county Farmer's Market is discrimination against other farmer's markets in the area.

"I'm troubled by this arrangement," she said. "I oppose the use of county money unless it's also going to benefit other markets. You're promoting one to the disadvantage of others."

Supervisor Earl VanWormer of Esperance, a long-time farmer who manages one farmer's market and is involved in another, voiced similar concerns.

"I do feel other farmer's markets are being treated unfairly," he said. "Whenever you create a new farmer's market, you're competing against others and making it less likely they will succeed. It's not a level playing field."

The Schoharie County Farmer's Market kicked off about a month ago and is held Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's been held so far in the Agricultural Hall building at the Fairgrounds but might move around to other buildings as the season moves on.

Supervisor Alicia Terry of Gilboa, Chair of the county's Agricultural Committee, reiterated that the county Farmer's Market is only one day a week, leaving many other days for the new building _ if it happens _ to be used for a variety of other uses.

"I support the project," she said. "It's an opportunity for additional infrastructure to highlight agriculture. I feel like it would be doing a disservice to our Agricultural community if we do not pursue this opportunity. It could have a great impact on our agricultural community for decades to come."

Supervisor Philip Skowfoe of Fulton worried that approving the resolution would commit the county to the $125,000 match but others disagreed. Terry and Supervisor John Leavitt of Carlisle _ also a Cobleskill Fairgrounds board member _ said the main reason for having the matter on the June 19 agenda was to meet the June 23 deadline for applying for the grant and only commits the county to the $250 application fee.

"I will support this application," said Supervisor Don Airey of Blenheim. "It does not require we accept the grant if awarded. In the meantime, discussions can continue with the Fairgrounds board and county farmer's market (on contributing to matching costs)."

Supervisor Ben Oevering of Schoharie had similar thoughts.

"I'm closer to where Don is on this," he said. "This does not preclude other farmer's markets from seeking money or county money. The more farmer's markets, the better. We are an agricultural county. A county farmer's market is 100 percent prudent and what we should do. I 100 percent support the match."

As for other farmer's markets using the new building if it's constructed, Cross and VanWormer said that's highly unlikely because other farmer's markets have chosen their locations carefully and wouldn't want to move.

Leavitt pointed out the Fairgrounds board owns all buildings there and rents them to other organizations, and he didn't anticipate the new building if if happens would be an exception.

Oevering responded he had some concerns with a rental arrangement unless it's some nominal fee like $1 a year but said that issue can be worked out later.

"We don't have to accept the grant if we can't come to terms with our partners (on matching costs)," Best reiterated in some comments made after the vote on the resolution.

VanWormer, Supervisor Sandra Manko of Sharon and BOS Chairman Bill Federice of Conesville ended up voting against the resolution.

"It was so encouraging to hear the the support from the Board of Supervisors on this project and I applaud the hard work of everyone involved from day one," said Schoharie County Farmer's Market Board President Naomi Pickett, who attended the June 19 meeting. 

"The initial work group and our fully volunteer board have dedicated countless hours to extensive market research, cohesive marketing, solid implementation efforts, and a sound business plan," she continued. "We are sustained by enthusiastic vendors and consistent community support week to week. We are making our mark as a sustainable and impactful initiative and it's awesome to witness the results of this collaborative work."