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Onancock Council declines formal backing for farmer's market AFID grant, 2–3 vote
Summary
The Onancock Town Council voted 2–3 on Aug. 26, 2024, to decline a motion to support and administer a VDACS AFID infrastructure grant for a proposed $30,000 winter market building; the Market would need to raise a $10,000 match. Town staff had offered to assist with the application.
The Onancock Town Council on Aug. 26 considered a request from the Onancock Farmer's Market Board for the town to submit and administer a Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) AFID infrastructure grant to fund a proposed winter market building.
The Market estimated the project at about $30,000 and said it could raise the required $10,000 local match. Town Manager Matt Spuck offered town staff time to help prepare and, if awarded, administer the grant application. Councilmember Sarah Nock moved to support the Market in submitting the application; Councilmember Cindy Holdren seconded the motion.
The motion failed on a recorded vote: Councilmember Holdren — aye; Councilmember Joy Marino — nay; Councilmember Nock — aye; Councilmember Maphis Oswald — nay; Councilmember Paul Weitzel — nay. With that 2–3 result, the town will not formally submit or administer the AFID application on the Market's behalf unless the council revisits the matter.
Why it mattered: the AFID program is structured as a 2:1 state match for capital infrastructure projects that support local food production and community benefit. According to materials filed with the town, the Market's board believes the winter building would qualify and planned a capital campaign to raise the $10,000 match before the grant application period opens Oct. 1.
What happens next: the Market can still apply independently if permitted by VDACS rules, continue its campaign to raise the match, or bring the request back to the council at a future meeting. Town staff indicated it would provide information on what local assistance could be practical without formal council authorization.
