County Names Farmers Market Board Members

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY —- Schoharie County, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego (CCE) and SUNY Cobleskill, is proud to announce the appointment of nine dedicated community members to the inaugural Schoharie County Farmers Market Board.

The board is a newly-created advisory group designed to establish the county's first destination, large-scale Farmers market, according to a press release from county Agricultural Development Specialist Caroline Myran. Appointed members bring a diverse range of expertise spanning farming, marketing, finance, local food systems and community engagement, she noted.

Newly-appointed members to the board are: Jenni Gallaway, marketer, Cisive; Naomi Pickett, owner, Rooted Acres LLC; James Dempsey, farmer, Acres Wild Farm; Dean Haskin, owner, Mickle Hollow LLC; Michelle Rivera, proprietress, Love Shine Tea; Megan Despres, farmer, Biscuit wood Farm; John Lawson, local forager, Whole Foods Market Northeast Region; Tanya Moyer, farmer, Mulligan Creek Acres; Becky Leggieri, Independent consultant and volunteer.

In addition, four permanent seats will be held by representatives from the Office of Agricultural Development, Department of Health, CCE Schoharie and Otsego, and SUNY Cobleskill, bringing the total to 13 board members. Together, these individuals will guide the development of the Schoharie County Farmers Market, helping to support local producers, increase access to farm-fresh food, and promote agriculture as a vital part of the county's identity and economy, Myran noted.

"The establishment of this board marks an exciting step forward for Schoharie County's local food system," she said. "Each of these members brings valuable experience and a shared passion for supporting our farmers, entrepreneurs and connecting residents with locally grown products. We are so excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work."

The announcement of board members comes at the end of a robust 12-month market analysis process, in which the county and its partners gathered input from over 500 residents and farmers through surveys and in-person listening sessions.

The Farmers Market Board has already begun meeting this fall to plan for the 2026 season. Over the coming months, the group will focus on developing policies, farmer outreach strategies, marketing and finalizing the location and date/time of the market. An announcement on final location, day and time, and market opening will be forthcoming.

For updates and more information about the Schoharie County Farmers Market Initiative, visit https://www.schohariecounty-nygov/departments/agriculturaldevelopment/farmersmarketproject/index.php.