Boone Memorial Health (BMH), through its BMH Foundation for Community Health, is proud to announce that after years of meticulous planning, ground is being broken on its Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse project.
A ceremony featuring keynote remarks from West Virginia Governor, Jim Justice, was hosted in celebration of the occasion adjacent to the new construction site on Main Street in downtown Madison, W.Va., on June 19, 2024. In addition to BMH representatives, remarks also included a video message from U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, a representative of U.S. Congresswoman Carol Miller, and Madison Mayor Buddy Hudson
The Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse is a sustainable living initiative designed to positively impact social determinants of health with a major emphasis on improving economic stability and food insecurity, while also providing education opportunities for community members of all ages. By significantly increasing access to fresh produce, providing agricultural education opportunities, and stimulating economic activity and agritourism in the heart of Boone County, the goal for the project is to improve the quality of life and health for residents in the BMH service area.
“The Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse project is a clear example of rural innovation, and there were so many important reasons why Boone Memorial Health pursued this project,” BMH President and CEO, Virgil Underwood, said. “We project the Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse to become a cornerstone of downtown Madison that will spur economic development, encourage the return of Madison residents and tourists to the downtown area, and increase the number of employment opportunities for those displaced by the economic downturn.”
The Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse is projected to provide economic stimulus by allowing the opportunity for dozens of small businesses, including farmers, growers, value-added makers, and others, to sell their products at a local and affordable location.
BMH General Counsel and Chief External Affairs Officer, Ray Harrell, further commented, “In addition to the economic impact of this initiative, the Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse will make positive strides toward addressing food insecurity, which is staggering in our service area. The facility will allow produce to be grown in the Greenhouse that can then be sold at or near cost in the Farmer’s Market to local schools and restaurants, senior centers, and the general public. BMH also intends to use the site to continue facilitating its BMH FARMacy program, an initiative in partnership with WVU Extension that helps families improve their health by providing fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables at no cost upon receiving a ‘prescription’ from their healthcare provider.”
The Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse will also enhance education opportunities. BMH intends to partner with local schools to offer the Greenhouse as an experiential learning site for K-12 students. BMH also looks forward to partnering with Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, the WVU Extension Service, and others to explore how the site may be used for higher education certificates and degree programs. BMH will continue its own community health education efforts at the facility as well, including expansion of the Farmacy “food as a prescription” program.
As a further benefit, the Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse will feature an outdoor stage and seating area, allowing for community events.
In addition to funds raised by the BMH Foundation, the project was made possible thanks to significant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Authority, the State of West Virginia Office of the Governor, James C. Justice, II, the West Virginia Water Development Authority, the John L. Dickinson Family, the Milan Puskar Foundation, the Peoples Bank Foundation, United Bank, and Hope Gas.
BBL Carlton has been awarded the construction contract for the project, which is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2025.
