08/26/2010: "Sunday Pizza Party For Farmer’s Market Supporters"

( Erickson property in Friday Harbor)

(CORRECTED Day & Time) Supporters of the proposal to place the farmer’s market at the Erickson Building have been Invited by The Ag Guild to share their ideas and pizza on Sunday, (08-29-10 at 5:30pm) at 5658 West Side Road.

Supporters of the purchase of the Erickson property had hoped to have the Town of Friday Harbor purchase the property, and then lease it to the Ag Guild, but after an intense public meeting between the Town council and members of the public speaking for and against the purchase, the Town backed away.

The Guild had then hoped to at least obtain some badly needed financing from the Land Bank’s purchase of a conservation easement, but on Tuesday the County Council failed to accept the easement deed, (Related Story)and as a result -unless something quickly changes- that money is no longer available.

The Guild still has access to some money from "State Funding For A Farmers Market In FH" , but Sen. Kevin Ranker told the County Council that if the money is not used now, it will not be available next year when the legislature will be looking for any "money they can find to use for such things as school teachers."

With the apparent lost of the Land Bank money, the will have to look elsewhere to obtain the rest of the needed funds; or continue to use the County Court House parking lot, or some other location. One alternative is a standing offer from the SJC Fair Board to use the facilities there, but a number of the farmers have stated they are not interested in the location.