Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Mayor Soden
FROM:	Helen Schnoes, Food Systems Coordinator (Douglas County) & Eileen Horn, Sustainability Director
DATE:	August 31, 2017
RE:	Douglas County Food Policy Council Appointment

Background

In July 2017, Jen Humphrey, the City appointee to the Douglas County Food Policy Council representing Established Farmers Markets, resigned. At its August meeting, the Council heard from and voted to support a recommendation for her replacement—Olivia Taylor-Puckett. The term expires December 2017.

Olivia Taylor-Puckett, Background: A sixth generation Kansan, Olivia Taylor-Puckett, was raised on 5 acres in Jefferson County immersed in specialty crop farming. Her parents were one of the first to sell heirloom tomato transplants at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market. Olivia developed a love of local food and respect for those who grow it during her mother’s tenure as market manager. While attending KU for Illustration, her interests returned to agriculture and she interned with a farm organization. A grassroots lobbying trip to D.C. merged her two passions: politics and agriculture. In 2016 Olivia became the youngest manager of Kansas’s oldest producer only market.

Statement of Interest: I was honored by the LFM Board to be chosen as its suggested representative on the Food Policy Council, and to be a voice for this vital and expanding segment of Douglas County agriculture. Throughout my lifetime I’ve seen the changes that farmers markets have undergone, how popular they’ve become, and what challenges they still face. On a personal level, serving on the Council will be a tremendous learning opportunity. Recognized nationally, the Douglas County Food Policy Council has brought together diverse interests to create opportunities for all types of agriculture and consumers. I’m looking forward to learning from you all and rolling up my sleeves to contribute to the Council’s continued efforts.

Staff Recommendation

To assist the Mayor and City Commission in filling this vacancy on the Douglas County Food Policy Council, we recommend you consider appointing Olivia Taylor-Puckett as Established Farmers Market Appointee representing the Lawrence Farmers Market, and concurrent appoint for a full 3-year term on the Council beginning January 2018.

Action

We request the City Commission vote to appoint Ms. Taylor-Puckett to serve the remainder of the existing Established Farmers Market representative term through the end of 2017, and a full term commencing January 2018.