After stopping by the office to check emails I headed out to Fort Scott, Kansas to visit with Linda and Dennis Clayborn. I double checked with them before I left Kansas City to make sure their road was not washed out, this happens a lot. Turns out the road was okay but their drive was a little dicey. Dennis met me at the end of the drive and we headed west to his property where he grazes their cattle, only 25 miles each way.  I always love a road trip and the area around Fort Scott is beautiful. We had to search a little for the cows since they are free range and have a lot of area to roam in, we found quite a few along the fence line soaking up some shade. On the way back to their farm we drove by the Bronson Locker where Dennis has all his beef and pork processed, Bronson Locker has been in business for years.  Linda was busy picking pumpkins when we got back to the farm which they were planning to bring to the market on the weekend. Their tomatoes are pretty much done for the year except for a few cherry varieties. On Friday they were going to dig potatoes, onions and pick greens for Saturday. In addition to cattle Dennis and Linda also raise pigs and chickens which they have processed to bring to the market.  Clayborn farm will be at the market throughout the winter selling mainly beef, pork and eggs.

The day got away from me while I was at the Clayborn’s so I was only able to get one more stop in before heading back to Kansas City. I headed down 54 highway to Walker, MO where Mark Curtis raises Argentine style grass fed beef which he has processed to bring to the Market. Mark works a full time job so is never at the farm when I visit. It was obvious that he had cattle, although I was unable to take any photos since all the animals were along the tree lines in the shade, smart animals! Mark sells in the supplement category at the market and supplements pork from Lamar, Mo and chicken from Button Wood Farms. Vendors in the supplement category are allowed to supplement no more than 50% of the product they bring to the market and that product/produce must come from within a 500 mile radius of the City Market. Golden Rule Meats is also at the City Market on Saturday throughout the year. For more information visit his web site at www.goldenrulemeats.com

I am taking a few days off over the holiday so will not be visiting any vendors next week but will get back on the highway the following Thursday.