Farmers Market hopes for stimulus funds

The Columbia Farmers Market opened its 29th season on March 21 to new vendors and an eager crowd, but not all the buzz was about the produce.

Sustainable Farms and Communities, the non-profit that operates the market, hopes to secure $2.6 million in economic stimulus funding to build the Columbia Farmers Market Pavilion.  The structure would serve as a permanent site for the market, as well as a community space and education center.

According to SF&C’s Executive Director Casey Corbin, a stimulus payout isn’t yet a sure thing because the source is so unusual. “This has never happened before,” he said.

While Corbin said the project has broad bipartisan support and is a favorite because it already benefits local businesses and is “shovel-ready,” the funds are part of a larger sum being distributed to state agencies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. How much is awarded to projects like the Columbia Farmers Market Pavilion depends on how much money goes to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, which will distribute funding with guidance from the governor and legislature. Corbin anticipates that decisions could be made in Missouri by May 19.

Corbin says SF&C has already begun a capital campaign to continue raising money for the project. The market is poised to sign a new four-year lease with the City of Columbia for their current site, which will extend their fundraising deadline into 2013.