A chance pit stop at a farmer’s market in North Carolina two years ago has spurred a movement that may end in a similar venture within Waller County. Meetings between state and local officials have already proven promising.

Waller County resident Don Garrett and Waller County Commissioner Glenn Beckendorff have led a delegation to meet with Texas Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples concerning the opportunity to create a farmer’s market in the county.

The meeting was a successful one, lasting 45 minutes longer than scheduled.

“I believe Ag Commissioner Staple’s staff was more than receptive to our proposal or they would have concluded the meeting when the hour was up,” Beckendorff said.

The joint effort to establish the market includes collaboration from Prairie View A&M University and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Garrett and Beckendorff have met with staff members from the offices of Senator Glen Hegar, State Rep. John Zerwas and United States Congressman Michael McCaul. 

“This is why the Texas A&M University System is such an important element of this program.  Markets such as Houston stand to benefit substantially from this relationship. Prairie View A&M University and the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension programs are a key component to the success of such a facility,” Garrett said.

The concept behind developing a regional farmer’s market and distribution center began two years ago when Garrett was on a business trip to Asheville, N.C., where he discovered a large, prosperous farmer’s market facility on 38 acres that contained both retail and wholesale operations.  One year later on a trip to Raleigh, he came across another thriving facility measuring 78 acres. The markets were two of five facilities owned and operated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.  Upon his return to Waller County, Garrett shared his experience with Beckendorff and Vince Yokom, director of the Waller County Economic Development Partnership.

The proposed area for the facility will be along a major traffic corridor such as Highway 290, which offers the opportunity to move both private and commercial vehicles through the area.

Initial estimates for the cost of the facility are projected to be between $3 million to $5 million. Organizers are optimistic about the impact of the presence of the market.

“A facility such as this could meet that demand by creating a better delivery system in both production and education. It would create incentives for our existing farmers and ranchers, as well as bring new operations into the area,” AgriLife Extension Agent Cody Dennison said.  “Additionally, a facility such as this creates a focal point and a point of destination for the 5.7 million people within the Houston area.”

He added that its proximity to the Houston metropolitan area will provide ample room for competition between wholesale and retail operations.

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