The Western Wake Farmers' Market Outgrows Its Space – Innovative Plans Proposed for a New Home

Read the press release about our official proposal to the Town of Cary to make the vacant A.M. Howard Farm Park our new location. But we need your help to make it a reality! Show Town Council you support the project by attending a Public Meeting, signing the petition or simply sending an e-mail. Thanks for your support!

Press Release

Cary, N.C. – June 30, 2011 — Western Wake Farmers Market (WWFM) staff and volunteers made an official proposal to the Town of Cary to make the A.M. Howard Farm Park its new location. With its short-term lease running out in March 2012, market managers hope Town Council will accept their request to turn the vacant farmland into a park that pays tribute to Cary’s deep rooted agricultural history and local food movement of today.
Now located off Morrisville Carpenter Road between Davis Drive and Highway 55, the market occupies a vacant parking lot in the Carpenter Village residential development. With new housing slated for the space, the market must go. And go it will, but hopefully not far. The A.M. Howard Farm Park is located only a half mile away from Carpenter Village at the intersection of Morrisville Carpenter and Louis Stephens Roads.
In 2007, the Town of Cary purchased the 45 acre farm and the adjoining historical structures to protect Cary’s agricultural history from urban development. It currently sits unused by the Town. With the Town of Cary in the midst of revamping its Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Master Plan as well as the Public Art Master Plan, now is as good a time as any to make a proposal for the undeveloped park.
“We started this market to ensure the vitality of our community, and this venture only furthers our mission to bring fresh local food to those who live here. Cary has really embraced the WWFM, and we’re thrilled with how quickly it’s grown. We want to continue that momentum and create a space where people can connect with their natural environment, grow their own food or learn about North Carolina agriculture.” said Juliann Zoetmulder, president of the WWFM board of directors.
The WWFM board presented a plan to Town officials in November of 2010, and was received favorably. Still under development, their proposal includes an open-air market, community garden, a community center featuring educational space and kitchen, event venue and parks and recreational space.
With the Town’s interest piqued, they’ve asked the WWFM to garner community support to prove value.

Show Your Support

Cary Residents can show their support of the WWFM's A.M. Howard Farm Park plan by attending a Town of Cary Public Meeting on these dates. Town Council will give a presentation on the new Parks and Rec master plan, including the possible fate of the WWFM. A question and answer session will follow:

Town of Cary Public Meetings

Monday, July 18, 6 to 8 PM
Green Hope Elementary
School Gym 2700 Louis Stephens Road, Cary
Tuesday, July 19, 6 to 8 PM
Cary Senior Center
120 Maury O’Dell Place, Cary
Residents may also voice support by signing our petition or e-mailing the Town of Cary directly at parksplan@townofcary.org. For more information on how to provide public input about Cary’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, visit the Town of Cary’s website.

About the Western Wake Farmers' Market

The farmers’ market features local seasonal produce, along with eggs from free-range chickens, hormone-free, grass-fed meats, local seafood, cheese, baked goods, coffee, flowers and more. Additional information about the market, vendors and area local foods news is online at www.WesternWakeFarmersMarket.org.
The Western Wake Farmers’ Market is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The market’s mission is for all people in our community to become educated about and benefit from locally grown food. The aim is to help all walks of life, from the farmers to the local community members to those less fortunate who might need assistance through the local food bank.