Virginia's 1986 General Assembly created the Virginia Farmer's Market Board, appointed by the Governor, to obtain citizen's input in developing a comprehensive statewide master plan for development of a network of Farmers' Markets. Guidelines for the Board specify that market facilities are only developed after a local group has been organized to promote and support the market, and only after that group has the commitment of a sufficient number of growers to make the operation of the market feasible. In 1988 the Virginia General Assembly appropriated $4.7 million to create a Farmer's Market Network with five potential locations. VDACS developed and operates (under contract) two facilities, while an operator is being sought for a third or two are under development.