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Newport adopts farmers market policy, creates seasonal positions and applies for state grant
Summary
Council adopted a city-operated farmers market policy, approved two seasonal part-time market positions and appointed an advisory board; it also authorized applying for a $1,500 no-match grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to help startup costs.
The Newport City Council voted to have the city operate a downtown farmers market, adopting a written policy, two part-time seasonal job descriptions (market manager and assistant) and a two-year advisory board.
Regina, who researched models from nearby towns, told the council the proposal would place the market at City Hall on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with manager hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The council approved recommended advisory-board appointments that included Corey Ackerman of Snowbird Coffee, Jennifer Parrish of Grama Support Farms and Monica Hommel (market manager/affiliation referenced in packet).
The fiscal year request included $14,900 for the market program overall; Regina said the city would need a roughly $5,000 budget amendment this year paid from the general fund to cover startup costs. Council also approved allowing the city to apply for a $1,500 no-match farmers market grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to assist with startup expenses.
Regina said she modeled Newport’s plan on successful downtown markets in neighboring towns and that the initiative is intended to support local vendors and bring activity downtown.
Provenance: Farmers market presentation and policy adoption occur from SEG 785 through SEG 937.
