In its infancy phase, momentum continues to carry for a future farmers’ market within the city of Elizabethton.
Citizens and individuals in taking part in a local market are encouraged to visit surveymonkey.com/r/DQJF6DG online to take part in an informative survey.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Carter County Advisory Board, was brought up recently during the August meeting.
“This idea of doing these survey is to see what obstacles we may face,” Thomas Davis, CAB vice-chair, said during the meeting. The vice-chair added that the current former for the Elizabethton farmers’ market will be based off ideas gathered from other markets across the region, including Roan Mountain, Johnson County, Johnson City, Jonesborough, Unicoi County, Kingsport and Greeneville.
With the survey now in effect, participants that take part can expect a heaping helping of questions as CAB gets their preparation in order.
“Since we’re hoping for ample responses to our survey in order to make big picture decisions, like location, days times, etc., the community interest survey is the most important component of the project moving forward,” said Cheri Tinney, Community Resource Specialist with the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library and CAB member. “We also have a survey being distributed to local farmers and vendors to measure their interest. It’s simple, we have to have vendors and shoppers interests on par or such a big endeavor will struggle to achieve success. Hence the yearlong preparation for next growing season.”
Tinney and Davis both serve on the CAB’s farmers’ market subcommittee. Other members that participate in the committee include Josh McKinney with United Way, Jilian Reece, Lindsay Bombria and Allison Foster.
In just one of being active, the survey has already seen a fair share of traffic, Tinney said.
“With over 100 responses already, the survey will run through the end of this month, at least,” she added about the survey’s timeline. “We want to give everyone in the community the opportunity to hear about respond to it for a most accurate data collection. Because we’re starting so early, we have plenty of time to promote the survey, collect and study the data, and then move into the planning phase of the project.”
One of the questions on the survey “What could set our market apart from others?” netted a variety of different responses, including:
“Offer some local crafts and have a food cart that serves food prepared from the market. I think having local meat would also set us apart from other markets.”
“Have it located near a park so that children can play while parents shop.”
“Having things that other markets don’t have: maybe a day for crafts or other local artist; other community agencies and organization with boths; things like that.”
“Close proximity parking, shaded areas. Later evening hours … maybe until 8 or 8:30 p.m. -ish.”
Tinney went on to add that herself, along with other CAB members, are greatly appreciative of the community’s support with the survey.
“We are so grateful for the responses we have collected in the first 24 hours, and we look forward to the additional responses to come,” she added.
During the August meeting, Reece added that the CAB is looking at utilizing Walter A. Curtis Memorial Park, located beside the Carter County Health Department.
The park near the health department was one of many different options tossed around by board members during past meetings. Options also included the Covered Bridge Park.
Reece went on to add during the meeting that parking at the health department could be limited, so the board will continue looking at partnerships with parking lots adjacent to the health department to address that issue.
Members of the farmers’ market committee will be visiting multiple local markets across the region over the next weeks to distribute surveys to local vendors in an effort to field their interests and needs, too, Tinney added.