Today I visited vendors who have recently submitted new applications to vend at the City Market. These vendors will be selling at either the weekly Sunday farmers’ market or the Wednesday evening market which will start on May 11^th. This will be the perfect day to try out the new streetcar, grab some dinner, restock your fridge or buy that must have handmade item.

It rarely happens that I check vendors who live in the same area on the same day but this was the case today. Both Daniel Neal and Christine and Bradford Williams live in Independence, this makes my job much easier.

Daniel, Growing Family Farms, is fairly new to farming and uses the “Back to Eden Garden” method. Daniel is not certified organic but uses organic growing methods. He farms two different locations, one is at his home and consists of 1.75 acres and the other is located on a friend’s property and accounts for another ¼ acre. The recent rains did not do too much damage so radishes, carrots, onions, lettuce, spinach, arugula and Swiss chard were already coming up. Daniel plans to plant 96 tomato plants as soon as I leave today. You will find Growing Family Farms at the market starting in May.

Five minutes later I arrived at Pepper Berries Farm and am greeted by Christine Williams. Christine and her husband bought their home two years ago and have great plans for transforming it into a training farm where they will teach urban farm classes and include a licensed kitchen. They have recently been awarded three grants to make this all happen. In addition to gardening at their home Christina also oversee the Habitat for Humanity Community Garden in Independence where she has a few raised beds of produce and berries. Christine uses a local commercial kitchen where she makes jams and jellies from the various fruits they grow. Pepper Berries Farm will be at the City Market for the first time on Sunday, May 1^st. For additional information visit their web site at www.preciouspetals64076.com

My next stop was a much longer drive and to a town I have never been to before, Slater, MO. I visited with Christine Sanders and her wonderful employees who produce Home Grown and Happy which is a line of pickles and pickling mixes. When I arrived they were busy working on a batch of bread and butter pickles which smelled amazing. They will also sell brine solutions which can be used for canning your own pickles or for brining meat.  For additional information visit www.homegrownandhappy.com

Normally when I check vendors I try to hit one area at a time, today this was not the case. Daryl Mann in Weatherby, Mo has been waiting patiently for me to get out to his farm and is ready to start selling his produce at the City Market on Wednesday evenings starting on May 11^th. Weatherby is located in the northern part of the state off Hwy 35, which is a two hour drive from Slater. The up side to this, the drive was beautiful. Daryl has a high tunnel at his home and a ½ acre plot located north of his home. Green Ridge Farms will be bringing Green and Yellow beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower and cucumbers starting this month. Most of these items were started in his high tunnel in March. Daryl will be planting 600 watermelon plants in his fields and if all goes well will be bringing them to market in July. Mark your calendars for May 11^th and visit the Wednesday evening market, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Wednesday evening market will run May through September.

Mothers Day is May 8^th; the City Market is a wonderful place to spend the day with your mom. Great places to eat, the farmers market is in full bloom with the biggest and best selection of bedding plants and beautiful bouquets of cut flowers, browse the Vintage Yard Sale or one of the many shops located in the City Market square.