The Floyd County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences sits on the Local Advisory Council for Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center. This Council is made up of various community partners including the Medical Center’s CEO, Floyd County School Board, a member from the religious community, tourism, Extension, and more. The council is given monthly updates or the hospitals statistics, improvements, and challenges. This group also collaborates programs with the hospital.

During the May 2021 meeting, the CEO of Highlands ARH discussed with the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent about bringing the Floyd County Farmers’ Market to the hospital once or twice a month. The Floyd County Family & Consumer Science Agent connect Highlands CEO with Lori Gearheart, the chair of the Floyd County Farmers’ Market and assisted with setting up the market at the hospital.

The Floyd and Johnson County Farmers’ Market setup twice a month at the Highlands ARH Medical Center. This gave the employees and patients very close access to fresh fruits and vegetables and locally made crafts. Because of this connection of the Local Advisory Council and Extension the Floyd County Farmers’ Market sales more than doubled over the season. The CEO of Highlands is now proposing a permanent structure for the Farmers’ Market (something Floyd County is in need of) to setup.