The Local Farmers Market

05/14/2026

We often say that The Local Collective Market project is a group effort - it’s beautifully, and quickly, turned into a multi-community effort!

We want to extend our deepest thanks to City of Sistersville Mayor - Bill Rice, City of Sistersville’s City Crew, and Buddy Parden for their support, generosity, and commitment to helping us bring a fresh food market to you all. Even in the chaos of a massive waterline break, they managed to dedicate time to helping our project along.

Without the support that has flooded in from all over, we wouldn’t be nearly as far along as we are. For that, we can’t possibly express the depth of our gratitude.

THANK YOU 🙌🏽👏🏽 - We finally see a healthier future at the end of this long, surprise filled tunnel.

05/08/2026

To whoever thought to nominate the market project: you have truly reinforced what this is all about. The fact that we crossed someone’s mind is more than enough - we are so honored. You are why we are pushing forward. We won’t let you down. 🤍

05/03/2026

We have it almost cleared out! 🔨🧱 We’re officially down to one pile of debris, one “cut pile” parked right in the middle like it owns the place, and a dramatic line of debris hugging half the back wall for dear life.

I spent my entire evening at the market launching junk like I was training for some sort of Olympic event Friday night. Not going to lie… it was oddly therapeutic. Highly recommend if you’ve got some stress to work through. 😅

It may have been slightly concerning to my husband though - he responded by spending the entire day yesterday launching junk right alongside me. Solidarity… or supervision? We may never know.

Huge thanks to board member Jason Snider, Heather and the Rice brothers, and Donny from the City Crew (who showed up with a Kubota like a true hero) for helping us make serious progress!

We’re aiming to get back in on Monday to scoop out the final remnants and move on to power washing (which feels like the official “we’re really doing this” phase).

Stay tuned… it’s getting there! 💪

04/26/2026

The community’s excitement surrounding our demolition day has been overwhelming in the very best way. We’re very grateful to have such strong community support - especially support from our neighbors in Wetzel, Pleasants, and Doddridge Counties 👏🏽 we would NOT have gotten this far without your help.

While this is all very exciting, please keep in mind that our future building ‼️ is an active construction zone ‼️ and ENTIRELY off-limits to anyone who does not have preauthorization to enter the property - this includes the sidewalk.

Seeing everyone crowd around, wander up to check things out (from a safe distance, outside of the 🚧 DANGER and ⚠️ CAUTION tape barriers), and chat with us about progress has been wonderful! But we must make it abundantly clear that the property is under video surveillance, is taped off, and has private property signs posted - all for the public’s safety!

We are working diligently to get clean-up wrapped up as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support as we continue onward. 🛠️

04/24/2026

With our ‼️ Soup-n-Smash Demo Day ‼️ approaching this Saturday (April 25th - 11AM) we want to take a moment to thank the incredible community partners and volunteers making this possible:
🌱 City of Sistersville
🌱 Sistersville Planning Commission
🌱 Sistersville City Crew
🌱 Tyler County Director of Emergency Management
🌱 Tyler County Family Resource Network
🌱 Hero Plumbing
🌱 Mountainside Outdoors
🌱 Sistersville First United Methodist Church
🌱 VFW Post #6327
🌱 All the generous hands-on volunteers helping with demolition and keeping everyone fed along the way

It truly takes a village… and we have the very best one you could ask for. 🩵

We hope you stop by, say hello 👋🏽 , and be part of the goodness growing right here at home.

04/14/2026

🚧 JOIN US TO CELEBRATE 🚧

Join us on April 25th at 11AM for a one-of-a-kind community gathering - a celebration of new beginnings as we kick off demolition on the future home of The Local Collective Market at 201 Diamond Street, Sistersville.

Whether you attend to lend a hand, lend your voice, “Feed the Smashers”, or simply show your support, we want to share this monumental day with the community The Local Collective Market is being built for.

Hoping to see you soon. 💛

03/24/2026

TIME TO LAUNCH 🚀 THE STORE-FRONT MARKET‼️
This project is about more than providing nutrient-dense food - it’s about restoring dignity, choice, and the value of wellness and homegrown to our neighbors while strengthening our local economy.

Here are a few ways you can contribute to making the attached remodel concept image a reality for our community:

✅Hands-On Help
Demolition, cleanup, and general site preparation
Simple repairs and build-out work
Skilled Expertise
Plumbing
Electrical work
Bricklaying or stonemasonry
✅Material Donations
Windows and doors for replacement
Concrete mix
Lumber for small builds
✅Financial Support
Contributions to help fill material and labor gaps
Support for critical roof repairs
Assistance with initial operational costs as we prepare to open

For financial donations please visit our GiveButter account:
https://givebutter.com/thelocalcollectivemarket-launchcampaign

To help with hands on or material donations please email us at [email protected] to speak further!

Every contribution, large or small, moves us one step closer to creating a space that serves, uplifts, and connects our community. Where everyone has a seat at the table.

Let's keep the goodness growing. 🌱
Our deepest thanks,
The Local Collective Market Team

02/11/2026

WE DID IT 🎉

After what feels like 47 years (give or take 😅) we’ve officially received 501(c)(3) status for our sister nonprofit: The Local Collective Market, INC.

Which means… the dream of a brick-and-mortar food hub in Sistersville, WV is happening. Increased fresh food access, support for local farmers and producers, local economic growth, community health + wellness programming, and central access to critical resources all under one roof. 🥕🧘🏽‍♀️

We’ve got a busy few months ahead - we’ll be sure to share location details, renovation plans, market developments, and program concepts as everything is nailed down.

For now, enjoy these inspo pics that kept us motivated through the paperwork marathon.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

It’s important to us to note: this project would have never taken shape without the outpour of support we’ve received from our beautiful community and the vital organizations who have assisted in our journey:

✅ Try This WV
✅ Community Markets Inc.
✅ West Virginia Farmers Market Association
✅ West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to strengthening our state. Your impact is immense. 🙌🏽

01/13/2026

We’re this close 🤏 to having a sustainable future for the market! Our next step is finding a lawyer who can help with a deed transfer and 99-year lease agreement—and we’re calling on our community for help.

If you know someone who fits the bill, please send the recommendation our way.

Thank you for being part of this journey—we truly couldn’t do it without you!

11/08/2025

We are ⭐️ abundantly grateful and proud ⭐️ to have received the WVDA and WVFMA mini-grant award for the second year! This competitive grant, with over 40 applicants, will be a pivotal part in providing our farmers, bakers, and makers space to grow their businesses while providing YOU 🫵🏽 a more sustainable source of nutritious food.

“These markets are the heartbeat of our local food system,” said Holly Morgan, executive director of WVFMA. “They connect farmers and families, foster entrepreneurship, and strengthen the fabric of our rural communities. Through programs like Market Metrics and our mini-grant initiative, we’re ensuring that markets statewide have the resources they need, because a thriving market feeds all tables.” 🥦🌶️🫐🥬🥩🌽🫜🍠🍳🍎

Thank you for believing in us as we push forward to create a brighter, more nutritious future for our community.

The WVDA was pleased to partner with the West Virginia Farmers Market Association to fund the 2025 Mini-Grant Program. Seventeen exceptional farmers markets and farm-based businesses across the state each received up to $5,000 to invest in infrastructure, signage, marketing, and technology.
● Appalachian Homestead (Ohio County)
● Kitchen's Farm Market (Berkeley County)
● Farmers Market at Montwell Commons (Greenbrier County)
● Valhalla Farms LLC (Calhoun County)
● Sunset Berry Farm (Monroe County)
● Charles Town Farmers Market (Jefferson County)
● Middle Mountain Market (Randolph County)
● Kountry Korner Market (Fayette County)
● HandMade WV Market (Summers County)
● Wardensville Garden Market (Hardy County)
● Shepherdstown Farmers Market (Jefferson County)
● New Roots Community Farm (Fayette County)
● Brooke County Farmers Market (Brooke County)
● South Charleston Farmers Market (Kanawha County)
● Parsons Ridge Farms (Roane County)
● Arnettsville Farmers Market (Monongalia County)
● The Local Farmers Market (Tyler County)

10/31/2025

👉🏽 IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF FOOD: please scan the Try This West Virginia QR code to locate services in your county. For further assistance, please directly reach out to your local community centers.

👉🏽 IF YOU HAVE SOME TO SPARE: a little bit can go a long way - we encourage you to consider making a donation. For more donation locations, please visit the Tyler County Family Resource Network’s page.

We’re stronger together. 🤍