FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 30, 2001
Ag Commission Committee Schedules Public Hearing on Farmers Market
COLUMBIA---The Agriculture Commission of South Carolina Farmers Market Study Committee invites the public to comment on the future of the Columbia State Farmers Market at a hearing scheduled to be held in the Dan Ramage Conference Center of the Columbia State Farmers Market, 1001 Bluff Road, Columbia, SC. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2001. Sign-up begins at 1:30 p.m. for public comments.
The Senate Finance Sub-Committee on Agriculture, chaired by Senator Yancey McGill (District 32 - Williamsburg, Horry, Georgetown & Florence), requested that the Agriculture Commission of South Carolina review all of the studies previously presented and visit with parties that have an interest in the Columbia State Farmers Market. In addition, they were asked to contact other markets and discuss their ideas on a successful market, explore other avenues of information, and issue a report of their findings to the Senate Finance Sub-Committee on Agriculture.
In April, Albert M. Johnson, Chairman of the Agriculture Commission, appointed a committee of five members to review all market information and provide a recommendation to the full Commission as to the future of the Columbia State Farmers Market. Gary Slavens of Florence, representing the 12th Judicial Circuit, was appointed Chairman of the Farmers Market Study Committee. The public hearing is part of the Agriculture Commission's Farmers Market Study.
To insure that all parties with an interest in the market have time to voice their opinions, individual presentations will be limited to five (5) minutes. Individuals who wish to express opinions during the scheduled time for comments must sign up beginning at 1:30 pm. As time permits in the schedule, those individuals will be called for comments.
After each comment, the Committee may ask questions or ask for explanations as to the presenter's position on the issue. Presentations will be recorded for future reference to assist the Committee with their recommendation.
For more information about the Agriculture Commission's public hearing on the Columbia State Farmers Market, contact Wayne Mack at 803-734-2200.