The West Virginia Farmers Market Association (WVFMA) has hired a new executive director. This organization helps many markets across the state start, grow, and thrive. Since being founded in 2007, this association has helped over 80 markets across the state learn better business practices and community organization. The WVFMA has encouraged growth among members by providing toolkits on gleaning, POP clubs, and several other successful programs across the state.
The WVFMA spent two months searching for a candidate that would meet the needs of the organization and would be enthusiastic about helping local farmers and the growth of agriculture across the state. The process began at the beginning of October. After several interviews the WVFMA has chosen Parween Mascari to fill the position.
Parween Mascari is an attorney and native of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Through her work at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, helping shape policy for the State of West Virginia, and entrepreneurial efforts and community involvement, Mascari is guided in all things by her mission of supporting and encouraging local economies. Mascari serves as a Trustee and the Audit Committee Chair for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, a board member of the Snowshoe Foundation, and a member of the public policy committee of Philanthropy West Virginia. She is a consultant to the America’s Best Communities contest, a member of the WVU College of Law’s Visiting Committee, and an advisory board member for the Brickstreet Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at WVU. Mascari is a founding member of Generation Morgantown and Generation West Virginia, and has served the people of West Virginia on numerous boards across the state. Her passion and purpose is to always be working on projects and with people who are interested in moving the State of West Virginia forward.
The WVFMA would like to welcome her to the team and wish her success in her upcoming ventures with the organization.
The WVFMA will remain committed to policy work on the Cottage Food Bill and encourage farmers market supporters to be a part of this work during the 2017 legislative term. The WVFMA strives to provide market trainings, regional gatherings, mini-grants and more to member markets. We invite farmers markets and friends of farmers markets to play a part in “Growing Farmers Markets and Nourishing Communities.”
For more information about the WV Farmers Market Association or to become a member, contact Erica Gallimore at egallimore.wvfma@gmail.com. You can also check out their website www.wvfarmers.org.
