Deb Connors – Farmers Market Manager

With all the rain and flooding in the area this spring I have been fretting over a few of our vendors who live near any river, stream or a flood zone. Randy Tillery and the Klassen family both live in these types of areas.

Linferd and Judith Klassen have been at the market every Saturday since April but after every heavy rain, I find myself wondering if they will be able to get down their county road safely. The Klassen family lives in Rockville, Mo which is south of Kansas City between 49 and a few large lakes. When the Corp of Engineers don’t open up the dams the water backs up the streams and into the farm fields in this area. “B” highway had been under water a few days before we visited, the water was still up to the side of the road in some places.

Country Bloom Greenhouse have been vending at the City Market since 2009. They started selling mainly bedding plants in the spring but over the last ten years they have become quit the succulent experts. (That is Judith and her daughters are) I never knew there were so many types of succulents, some blooming and others just plain interesting. The Klassen children are always on the lookout for unique repurposed items they can turn into pots for their succulents.

Their greenhouse is always a treat to visit and I always find something unusual that I just have to have for my yard. Country Bloom Greenhouse is a non-contracted vendor so their location can change from time to time. If you have trouble locating them, stop by the yellow Information Tent and we will point you in the right direction. www.countrybloomsgreenhouse.com

 

I have been keeping tabs on Randy Tillery through Walt Stephens www.stephensorchard.com a bee keeper and Saturday and Sunday vendor. Walt has beehives on Randy’s farm to help with pollination so sees him when he checks the hives. 

Randy plans to return to the Market tomorrow, June 29^th, about 3 weeks later than usual due to this year’s weather. In spite of all the heavy downpours, things were looking good when we visited his farm a couple weeks ago.  Randy should have peppers, onions, potatoes, cabbage, eggplant, carrots, kohlrabi, kale and summer squash. His field tomatoes are running behind schedule as is everyone’s. You will also have to be patient on his watermelons, but all good things are worth waiting for. 

You will find Tillery Farm at the east end of pavilion two for most of the summer. Randy will relocate his location soon to the third pavilion stalls 112-115.