Brett Shankle sits behind tomato plant starts at the Olde Achers Farm booth at the opening day of the Centralia Farmers Market last May.
The Centralia farmers Market has canceled their annual meeting, which was set for Thursday evening, due to dangerous road conditions caused by this week’s ongoing accumulation of snow.
“We are cancelling tonight's meeting due to the weather ... We will reschedule,” read an email to The Chronicle from market manager Marie Shankle of Olde Achers Farm sent Thursday morning after the print deadline. “Sorry for the short notice, but thank you for your interest and help!”
The meeting was originally scheduled to take place from 6-8 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Lewis County WSU Extension Office in Chehalis on Thursday but will now be rescheduled at a later date prior to the scheduled start of the market in April.
“We are looking forward to our first full year at our new location at the Centralia Outlet Mall. Great visibility, simple access from I-5, bus stop literally at the market,” read a press release distributed by Shankle.
The market is always looking for new vendors to join the ranks, including farmers, processors, artisan crafters and purveyors of prepared food. Tentative dates for this year’s market have been set for April 20 through Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The release added, “We are implementing a Kid’s Club program this summer and setting up a matching funding program for SNAP and Senior recipients. Sponsors and volunteers needed!”
Other matters up for discussion on at the annual meeting will include regular business, such as the re-election of three Board of Director seats, budget approval, policy and bylaw updates, committees and schedules. The meeting will be open to the general public, but only paid members will be afforded a vote.
The Chronicle will provide an update when a new date for the meeting has been set.
The WSU Extension office is located at 351 North St., Chehalis. Additional information can be obtained by calling market manager Marie Shankle at 360-985-0662, sending an email to oldeachersfarm.tds.net, or a paid postage envelope to P.O. Box 1514 Centralia. The Centralia Farmers Market is also online at www.CentraliaFarmersMarket.org.
