I cannot believe it has been almost two months since I have updated the farmers’ market blog. Normally by this time, I have been out visiting farms and greenhouses every week but the crazy weather has put all the farms behind in getting their crops in.  This is due mainly to the ground temperature and fear of frost. The vendors who have bedding plants have not been able to bring plants to the market since the extreme cold can damage the plants and customers would not be able to plant them anyway. This week’s warm weather will help to get everyone back on track but like everyone we are watching the weekend early morning temperatures, it might be way to cold again. I am so ready for the weather to feel like spring.

This year I will have company on most of my road trips, Ajani Nosakhere is the Markets new Assistant Farmer Market Manager. Ajani has a farm of her own so her farming knowledge will be very helpful and I think she will also learn a lot from the vendors, I know I do.

Wednesday we started the day close to home in Kansas City, Kansas. Briana Cann learned all of her amazing sewing skills from her grandmother. She makes one of a kind clothing for men, women and children. Ajani and I saw a few things in her collection that we would totally wear. Briana started her business sewing men and women’s scrubs in various fabrics and this continues to be one of her best sellers. As soon as she gets enough inventory made, Briana will be vending at the Sunday and Wednesday farmers market. For more information, visit her website at www.www-kunnant.com

For years, I have been visiting one vendor in Hale, Missouri. This year we received an application from Steve Whitson who also lives in Hale so we have two stops to make today. Hale Missouri is located south of Chillicothe and is about a two-hour drive from the City Market depending on how many stops we make on the way. I was excited to visit Steve today since he makes bird feeders and his own line of suet feed plugs. We currently do not have any vendors who make bird feeders and I am a little obsessed with feeding birds at my home. Steve makes all of his unique bird feeders out of cedar and it was obvious that he has put a lot of thought in the design and function of each feeder. Once he gets enough stock made he plans to sell poll feeders that contain ports to hold his suet plugs, sunflower seeds, thistle seed and a tray feeder all in one, what a great design. In addition to seed feeders, Steve also makes a unique hummingbird feeder that catches fruit flies, which hummingbirds love, and holds hummingbird nectar. If you love watching hummingbirds as I do, it is time to get your feeders out since hummingbirds have started migrating back to the area. Steve hopes to be at the Market on May 13, just in time for Mother’s Day. If you would like a little more information, visit his web site at www.treebirdfeeders.com

After a short ten-minute drive, we arrive at Bryson’s Farm Fresh Produce. The Bryson family has vended at the City Market since 2002 and as contracted stalls for the Saturday and Sunday farmers market. I was not surprised to see that they had very few things planted outside; this wild weather is making it very difficult for farmers to get their crops in. Luckily, Joe has a few heated hoop houses so was able to have some fresh produce to bring to the Market. 

Joe had been getting request from customers for wheat-grass, so this year he planted wheat grass in large PVC pipes and it is ready to harvest. Joe showed Ajani how he jump starts the germination of his vegetable plants from seed with the help of heaters.He had a ridicules amount of tomato seeds already in trays. The Bryson’s constructed a walk-in cooler a few years back so have been able to store potatoes and onions from last year’s crop as well as seed potatoes for this season. As soon as the soil warms up, they hope to get their row crops in, let’s hope it is sometime soon. You will find Bryson’s Farm Fresh Produce in stalls 36-37-38 & 88 on Saturday and stalls 90-91 on Sunday. www.brysonsfarm.com

Next week I will be on my own and plan to start the day off in Cole Camp, Mo. I sure hope I don’t need to wear my snow boots!