Corbin to get grant to help expand local farmer’s market

The Whitley County Farmers Market locations in in Corbin, Goldbug and Williamsburg are thriving in the in the spring, summer and fall, reaching customers across the county. A federal grant from the environmental protection agency and department of agriculture could expand the Whitley County farmers’ customer base across the entire region.

Corbin was selected as one of four communities from among 63 entries to receive the federal funds to help develop local food systems and promote economic diversification.

Sandi Curd, chair of the Whitley County Farmers Market, said the money will be used to develop a year-round local food network hub

“We are really excited about this grant because it is a national competition,” Curd said, noting the grant will be used for strategic planning for a year-round farmers market. 

Curd added this venue will not be in place of the traditional farmers markets, but will be in addition to those.

It will include amenities such as cold storage and an indoor venue to allow people to shop in the winter months. In addition, it will be designed to promote the use of local products by area schools and restaurants by giving the owners/operators a way to order the products and have them ready for pickup or to be delivered.

“They don’t have time to send someone down to the farmers market on Saturday to buy everything they need for the week,” Curd said. “They need something more convenient.”

A third thing Curd said the farmers market board is wanting to add is internet accessibility where customers may go online to choose what they want to buy so customers can have it ready to pick up or have it delivered

Curd said no site has been selected for the hub. That is what part of the grant will be used for.

Several local farmers were on hand for the announcement and voiced their support for the project.

Ally Lynch, who raises sheep, berries and various vegetables said allow she and her husband to take their farm from a hobby to a viable business.

“It would mean that we can earn real money from farming,” Lynch said, noting they currently must augment the money they make from the farm with other sources of income. “We don’t want to be millionaires but it will allow it to make a genuine contribution to our income.”

Curd said while the farmers market added its third venue this year and it did very well for the vendors, the year-round market is one of the dreams for the farmers and this grant will help make that a reality.

Earl Gold of the Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) said this grant was made possible through the Whitehouse Rural Council, which allows ARC officials to meet with and exchange ideas with officials in the environmental protection agency, and the departments of agriculture, treasury and interior.

“This gives us the opportunity to figure out ways we can work together so we can do more than we can do by ourselves,” Gold said.

In applying for the grant, the respective communities were asked to submit a proposal for a dream project and how they would achieve it.

“We would eventually get there,” Curd said of the year-round market. “This is going to accelerate it.”

The total pool of grant money is $250,000 for the four communities. Gold said between $25,000 and $30,000 will be spent on technical assistance and $18,000 to $25,000 will be spent on implementation.

Curd said there is some available warehouse space in Corbin that suits the project, but the exact location will be determined as the business plan is developed.

“We will just let the numbers lead us,” Curd said.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said it is an exciting day for Whitley County, local farmers 

“There is a lot of this group that has worked very hard, White said. “They know what great products they are offering. This will provide a livelihood for a lot of these people and also be easier for consumers to continually and regularly plan to use them.”