AgriMissouri

Best of Missouri Market This Weekend

The St. Louis Post said it this morning, "this is the Best of Missouri Market." Myself and intern Jennifer will be at the Market this weekend and so will lots of AgriMissouri members, so stop by the Missouri Botanical Garden between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday or Sunday to see us.

Best of Missouri Market

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday — Missouri Botanical Garden — $10 — mobot.org

It's not the So-So Missouri Market or the Not Quite What We Expected Market, but the Best of Missouri Market. That means 100 of Missouri's top farmers and artisans will pack the Missouri Botanical Garden with their finest fruit, herbs, vegetables, toys and baskets.

-Sarah

Rewind 1: Missouri State Fair - AgriMissouri Market

I'm rewinding to give everyone an update on what's been going on in AgriMissouri since early August. I know we had a couple posts about the Missouri State Fair but I thought one going in to more detail was needed.

The AgriMissouri Market at the 2008 Missouri State Fair was extremely successful. The gorgeous weather brought out thousands of people. We had members sampling in the Market everyday. I am truly appreciative of the members who came and sampled their products. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your presence adds a lot to the Market. Thanks to the following samplers:

• Country Goodies, Centralia
• The Smashed Chefs, St. Louis
• Ozark Country Fixin's, Urbana
• Walt's Creole Seasoning, Kansas City
• Indian Creek Winery, Monroe City
• Garden Goodies - Fruity Peppers, Brookfield
• Hoss's BBQ Sauce, Mtn. Grove
• JAG BBQ Sauce, Eldon
• Grandma Ding's Fudge, Platte City
• The Settler's Inn, Boonville
• Barnicle Farms, Mary's Home
• Cowboy Chris BBQ, Wright City
• Mama Jo's Mustards, Jefferson City
• Garlic Earth, St. Charles
• Lahms, Inc, Springfield
• Peters Market & Oh So Good Foods, Waverly
• Chef Leron's Strawberry Salad Dressing, Black Water

In addition to sampling, we featured Grow Native in the AgriMissouri Market. Grow Native is a program that promotes the use of native Missouri plants in home and commercial garden settings. We sold over 70 native plants to gardening fans across the state.

As I said the AgriMissouri Market was extremely successful this year and I couldn't have done it without the wonderful AgriMissouri member support or my tremendous co-workers who worked in the Market throughout the fair. Thank you to Katie, Shelley, Tammy, Karen, Dawn, Kelley, Lyndsey, Mark M., Laura, Tony and Bart for all of your help!

Can't wait until next year!

-Sarah

Cut Flower Workshop

Greetings! I will have lots of details about my last six weeks of travel and Missouri adventure later this week. I'm still getting reorganzied. In the meantime, I saw the announcement about the workshop below and thought it was well worth a post.

Commercial Cut Flower Production Basics Workshop Missouri State Campus – Mountain Grove, Missouri Monday, September 29, 2008 Registration begins at 8:30am, and the workshop follows from 9:30am to 4:30pm. A fee is required to cover lunch and materials; $50 per person and $25 for each additional person in the party. Successful flower growers and university horticulturists will present a program on the basics of commercial flower production and marketing. Please join us!

Speakers

Dr. Alan Stevens, Kansas State University Floriculture Specialist

Karen Pendleton, Pendleton’s Country Market, Lawrence, Kansas

Ethan Jones, Wild Goose Gardens, Osceola, Missouri

Jo Anne Thomas, Paeonia Select, Lowry City, Missouri

Marilyn Odneal, Missouri State University, Mountain Grove Campus

Preregistration is required; the deadline for preregistration is September 24. In order to register, click the link below and send the completed form along with a check to Pamela Mayer at Missouri State University Department of Agriculture, 9740 Red Spring Road, Mountain Grove, MO 65711.

Registration Form  (Adobe Acrobat reader required to open the registration from. Download the READER)

The State Fruit  Experiment Station is located at 9740 Red Spring Road in Mountain Grove. Take the second Mountain Grove exit of Hwy 60 and go north on Hwy 95 for about ¼ mile. The campus is at the crest of the first hill on the right of Hwy 95.

For more information, contact Pamela Mayer: 417-547-7533, PMayer@missouristate.edu.

-Sarah

Kansas City Area Farmers' Markets

I ran across this list of farmers' markets in the Food Section of the Kansas City Star today and thought I would pass it along. Enjoy!

BANNISTER FEDERAL COMPLEX FARMERS MARKET: Locally grown and organic fruits, vegetables, jams, baked goods and flowers. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. 92nd and Troost. (816-926-3514)

BRIARCLIFF VILLAGE FARMER’S MARKET: Organic and locally grown. 3-7 p.m. Thursdays. Demonstrations utilizing produce and products available at market each week at 5 p.m. Entrance of Briarcliff Village. www.briarcliffvillagekc.com (816-792-2670)

CITY MARKET: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. 20 E. Fifth. www.thecitymarket.org (816-842-1271)

CROWN CENTER FARMERS’ MARKET: Variety of meats, eggs, vegetables, jams, baked goods and flowers. Open every other Tuesday. 2450 Grand. www.crowncenter.com (816-274-8444)

FARMERS’ COMMUNITY MARKET AT BROOKSIDE: Local and organic products including vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers, baked goods, soaps and other crafts. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Border Star Montessori School, 63rd and Wornall www.farmerscommunitymarket.com

GRAND COURT FOUR SEASONS FARMERS’ MARKET: Organic and naturally grown produce, mushrooms, plants, soaps, jewelry, organic meats, goats’ milk, eggs, and baked goods. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays, Grand Court Retirement Center, 107th and Wornall.

INDEPENDENCE FARMERS MARKET: Homegrown fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants or handmade crafts. 5 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Corner of Truman and Main. (816-252-8860)

KC ORGANICS AND NATURAL MARKET: Locally grown organic produce, herbs, edible flowers, breads and baked goods, free-range eggs, soaps and body care products. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Minor Park, I-435 and Holmes on Red Bridge. www.kcorganics.com

LEE’S SUMMIT FARMERS MARKET: Wednesday and Saturdays 7 a.m. to sell out. Second and Douglas. (816-246-6598)

LIBERTY FARMERS MARKET: Garden flowers, baked goods, vegetables, fruits, honey, jam and jellies. 7 a.m.-Noon Wednesdays, Crowley Furniture store parking lot, Missouri 152 and Missouri 291; 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Liberty Square, Main and Franklin. www.historicdowntownliberty.org (816-930-2175, 816-456-9339)

MARCHE’ DU JOUR: French inspired market features gourmet and designer farm fresh produce, flowers, herbs and more. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Delaware Interiors, 3848 W. 75th, Prairie Village. www.delawareinteriors.com (913-384-0330, 573-584-3385)

MERRIAM FARMERS MARKETPLACE: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. 5740 Merriam Drive in downtown Merriam. www.merriam.org/park/marketplace.com (913-322-5550)

MERRIAM ORGANIC MARKET: Organic, natural and free-range foods. Hand-made arts & crafts. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays. 5740 Merriam Drive in downtown Merriam. www.merriamorganicmarket.org (913-620-8427)NORTH KANSAS CITY FRIDAY FARMERS MARKET: Emu products, spring greens, bedding plants, jams, jellies and baked goods. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. beginning May 9. Caboose Park, 715 Armour, North Kansas City. (816-472-7700)

SHAWNEE FARMERS MARKET: Farm fresh produce, handmade crafts and homemade goodies. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive. (913-248-2360)

CSA's in the News

I was reading the Columbia Tribune's Food Section last night and was excited to see an article on CSA's (community supported agriculture)! I discussed CSA's several months ago in a post. This is a subscription to receive produce throughout the growing season. The article in the Tribune did a great job explaining and promoting the CSA's in the area. The best part is the article listed five CSA's in mid-Missouri, a couple still have 2008 subscriptions available for anyone who's interested. I've listed all of them below. Enjoy!

Share-Life Farms
Highway 2, box 134 | Marshall
Owner: Jim Thomas Jr.
Contact information: PHONE: (660) 886-3566
Season: Weather permitting, first week of May through last week of October.
Shares: Custom bag to suit customer preference.
Payment: Registration is $40 at the beginning of the season; customers pay each week based on their bag, with an average of $8 to $25 per week.
How to get your items: Pickup at the Columbia Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Next opportunity to sign up: January 2009.

Danjo Farms
1210 private road 2717 | Moberly
Owners: Dan & Joanne Nelson
Contact information: PHONE: (573) 823-5452
ON THE WEB: www.localharvest.org/csa/M5020
Season: Weather permitting, 24 weeks, May through November.
Shares: Full share, $600; half share, $300, fruit add-on available; work shares available to reduce price.
Payment: Full payment upon joining or an installment plan.
How to get your items: Pick up at the Columbia Farmers Market on Saturdays or arrange to come to the farm.
Next opportunity to sign up: January 2009.

Fertile Crescent Farms
721 E. Calvert Hill Road | Columbia
Owner: Guy Clark
Contact information: PHONE: (573) 268-3174
E-MAIL: fertilefarmer@gmail.com
ON THE WEB: www.fertilecrescentfarms.com
Season: Weather permitting, May through November.
Shares: Part-time Gardener: $750; Weekend Gardener: $500; I Love Greens: $380.
Payment: Full payment upon joining, three-month plan and alternative plans can be negotiated.
How to get your items: Farm pickup Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon at Columbia Farmers Market, or home delivery with an additional charge.
Next opportunity to sign up: 2008 subscriptions still available.

Farm Co-op at the Root Cellar
814 e. broadway | Columbia
Owners: Walker Claridge, Kimberly Griffin
Contact information: PHONE: (573) 443-5055
Season: April 24 to Oct. 30.
Shares: In-season fruits and vegetables: $35 a week.
WANT MORE?: Other add-on plans include milk, eggs and meat.
Payment: Charged weekly.
How to get your items: Pick up at Root Cellar on Thursdays from 2 to 8 p.m.
DELIVERY: $10 fee.
Next opportunity to sign up: 2008 subscriptions are still available.

Pierpont Farms
8810 s. route n | Columbia
Owner: Rob & Angela Hemwall
Contact information: PHONE: (573) 499-9851
E-MAIL: Angela@Pierpontfarms.com
ON THE WEB: www.PierpontFarms.com
Season: Weather permitting, 25 weeks, beginning in mid-May.
Shares: Full, $750; partial, $500.
Payment: Full payment upon joining, or installment payments.
How to get your items: Fill your own bag Tuesdays at the farm. Access to flower and herb gardens.
Next opportunity to sign up: January 2009.

Mothers Day Gifts from Missouri

How many of you are like me and have not gotten your mom her well-deserved Mother's Day gift yet? Well now my mom knows that her eldest is a last minute shopper but I am thinking about it.

One of the things I love about Mother's Day is the time of year it falls...spring! It provides so many different options for gift giving. Think about it, you can give flowers, hanging baskets, Missouri food products (although don't ask mom to cook for you on Sunday, very tacky) or take mom out to one of our many great wineries or local restaurants.

I love giving flowers. Below is a list of AgriMissouri members who operate nurseries or sell flowers and plants. Most can give you assistance on what to pick for mom.

All Seasons Lawn & Garden - Mexico
Crown Greenhouse - Farmington (part of Crown Valley Winery)
Fahr Greenhouses, Inc - Wildwood
Mackey Produce & Maxwell Greenhouse - Mexico
Nolte Hills Nursery - Morrison
Simpson Family Farm - Mtn. Grove
Thies Farm & Greenhouse - St. Louis
Van Till Farm - Rayville
Walk About Acres - Columbia
Farmers' Markets

If you prefer to give AgriMissouri products, search the Buyer's Guide, I'm certain you can find something that mom will love. For those interested in finding restaurants the serve local products, visit the Restaurant page on the AgriMissouri web site. Wineries are popping up all over the state and offer great picnic spots, find one near you on the Missouri Wines site.

Finding Berry Farms

You can tell it's Spring! We've gotten a lot of calls yesterday and Friday asking where to go to pick berries. I love berry picking! U-pick berry patches are the best because:
a) you didn't have to take care of the berries in the fall or summer;
b) they provide containers to pick in (most of the time); and
c) they have neat rows to walk down, at home my berries would be scattered throughout the garden.
As you may have guessed, I don't know much about vegetable gardening.

Below are resources if you are for a place to pick strawberries, blueberries or blackberries this spring and summer.

AgriMissouri Buyer's Guide
Pickyourown.org
Missouri Fruit & Vegetable Growers Database

Flickr photo courtesy of CaptPiper.

Episode 14: Green Thumbs

It's finally warming up enough for us to spend some extra time in the garden.  Earlier in the spring, Julie Harker decided to check in with a couple of Missouri's green thumbs.  First, she talked to Jennifer Schamber of Greenscape Gardens in Manchester.  Then she caught up with Patrick Bellrose, with Fahr Greenhouses in Wildwood.

Download audio (MP3, approx 4 megabytes)

flickr photo courtesy yamada

Fahr Greenhouse & Nursery

One look at the sunshine outside and you can see Spring springing up all over. I can't wait to get out plant flowers, vegetables and just be outside. AgriMissouri member, Fahr Greenhouses & Nursery, are eager to help customers get out of the house.

Fahr Greenhouses & Nursery offers a wide variety of bedding plants, specialty annuals, tropical plants, ground covers, perennials, flowering shrubs and a huge selection of artfully designed patio containers. They also offer gardening supplies such as mulch, potting soil, deer repellent and a great selection of pots and novelty containers. In summer months, the even have fresh picked vegetables.

Located in Wildwood, Missouri, Fahr Greenhouses & Nursery have been serving St. Louis County and surrounding areas as a quality producer of bedding plants and specialty crops for over 56 years. Dorothy and Leonard Fahr established Fahr Greenhouse in 1950. The business is still operated by family members Dorothy Fahr, Patrick and Mary Bellrose and Larry Fahr.

I love spring flowers so I'll be featuring AgriMissouri members with greenhouses and nurseries over the next two weeks.

Kansas City Food Circle's Eat Local! 2008

Eat Local! 2008 provides consumers an opportunity to buy directly from local family farms before farmers' market season starts. Below is more information on the upcoming event.

Buy Direct from Local Family Farms

• High-quality, organic vegetables available on-site and through CSA memberships
• Free-range meats, eggs and dairy products
• Veggie seedlings and plants for spring gardens
• Original music by Eco-Troubadour - Stan Slaughter
• Free Directory of Local Organic and Free Range Food Producers
• Free admission & parking

Saturday, April 5

9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Roger T. Sermon Community Center
Truman & Noland Road, Independence, Mo.

Workshop at 9:30 a.m.: "Grow Food, Not Lawns!"
Chef's Demo at 12:00 p.m.: "Spring Flavors from Local Fare"

For more information visit http://www.kcfoodcircle.org/ or call 913-334-0556.