Shown, from left to right, are Beth Jones, Southeast Tennessee Development District; Brooxie Carlton, Tn. Dept. of Economic and Community Development; Ed Harlan, Tn. Dept. of Agriculture; Wilson Paine, Appalachian Regional Commission; Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, District 31; Stephanie Bertaina, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Mayor Bobby Collier, Bledsoe County; Anne Keller, EPA Region 4; Mayor John Graham, Marion County; David Collett, USDA Rural Development; Mayor Philip “Winkie” Cagle, Pikeville; Dick Brow, Rock Crusher Farm.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Appalachian Regional Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture met with community leaders in Bledsoe County last week to create plans for a farmers market in historic downtown Pikeville.
The two-day workshop was funded by a Sustainable Communities in Appalachia Technical Assistance Grant through the EPA, ARC and USDA. Officials from Washington, D.C., Nashville, Southeast Tennessee and Bledsoe County gathered to discuss ways to strengthen and expand access to local food within Bledsoe County and the region.