Two weeks ago I visited a couple
farms but did not get a chance to update my blog, time just got away from me. I
was in Hale, Missouri which is located south of Chillicothe and 36 Highway. Joe
Bryson has been a vendor at the City Market for many years and has continued to
increase his vegetable production during that time by adding a high tunnel,
expanding their walk in cooler and working a 30 acre section of land located
behind his home. In addition to growing a great selection of vegetables Joe’s family also grow black raspberries, elderberries,
ever-bearing strawberries and mulberries. For additional information visit
their web site at www.brysonsfarm.com
I was also in Buckner, Missouri
located east of Kansas City. Mark Frye has been a vendor at the City Market for
at least 14 years and his father Marlin started selling at the City Market in 2006.
In addition to selling at the City Market Marlin and his wife and daughter run
a roadside stand on Sibley Road north of Buckner. They have already started
growing mums for the fall which will be here before we know it. Marlin road with me for about an hour taking
me to the various places in which they are currently growing produce. One of
the stops was to visit a high tunnel a neighbor down the road lets them use
which was full of tomatoes. They have a large amount of melons and cantaloupe
planted which should be producing fruit soon. The Frye’s are in the Farmer w/
Local Supplement category so are allowed to supplement no more than 50% of what
they bring to the market each day. The supplemented product must be harvested
within the markets 500 mile radius. The Frye’s supplement peaches and a few
other items from Beckner’s Orchard, which is located near Lexington, Missouri.
They also bring produce from their son/brothers farm located a few miles away.
Mark Frye is at the City Market every Saturday in stalls 27-29 and on Sundays
in stalls 139 and 140. Marlin Frye is at the Market on Saturday’s stalls 129-132
and some Sundays.
This week I started my day north
of the river on Barry Road. I visited Marlene Ruan who has been sewing since
she was nine years old and makes the sweetest baby nightgowns designed
especially for bringing a new baby home from the hospital. The gowns are so elaborately
done with matching little caps, perfect for that special day. Marlene also
makes outfits for little girl and boys to wear when celebrating their first
birthday with matching birthday hats. It makes me sad that I don’t have a one
year old to buy a birthday outfit for. Her children’s cloths run from newborn
to size 6. Marlene gets a little help sewing
from her downstairs neighbor; they will be in the stall together selling on
Sundays. When I visit a craft vendor, who sews, I look to see if they have
sewing machines, material, threads and other notions. Marlene did and everything
was very neatly organized, I do love organization. Marlene and Veronica will be
at the City Market on Sundays and possible Wednesday evenings. For additional
information visit their web site at www.sweetlyanakarina.etsy.com
My last stop for the day was a
bit of a drive to South Greenfield, Missouri which is located near Springfield,
Missouri. I visited Mc Dowell Land & Cattle which is a cattle farm ran by
John Mc Dowell, his wife and son-in-law. Bill met me when I pulled in and drove
me through part of their 1000 plus acre ranch. At any given time they have
between 800 and 1,000 cows, which are mostly Red Angus and free range. All of
the beef they sell is all natural, hormone-free without antibiotics. In
addition to cattle they also raise free range chickens and will be selling the
eggs at the Market. As soon as John applies and receives his “Farmer Market
Permit” from the Kansas City Health Department he will be selling beef and eggs
at the Sunday farmers market. All meat products sold at the City Market are
processed at a USDA or State Inspected plant and are sold frozen. The Sunday
market runs 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. year round.
I have a few more new vendors to
visit next week and I want to try to stop in to see the Guban’s, they sell
wonderful table grapes, black raspberries and peaches. The Guban’s are in the
Farmer 100% category so only sell what they grow on their farm.
Don’t forget to stop by the
Wednesday evening market from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Enjoy the live music, stop
by the Farm To Table Kitchen for the markets weekly sampling and eat at one of
the City Markets wonderful restaurants.
