Farmers’ Market vendors in southwest Missouri have had to deal with torrential downpours, major flooding (not once, but some twice or three times) and destructive winds this spring. Yes, mother nature hasn’t been so kind this spring to many farmers.My father has had to put up water gaps four times already this spring, plus his large 2 acre garden was flooded, therefore putting him way behind on planting this spring, as of many producers.
The Springfield News Leader’s recent story covers the weather problems farmers’ market vendors have battled this spring…
Farmers markets hope season isn't as bad as winter
Despite natural turmoil, vendors ready to hawk their wares.
Weather this winter and spring has played havoc with southwest Missouri farms and gardens -- including the ones that produce for area farmers markets.
Farmers can't get into their fields without burying their equipment in soft ground, and gardens are either not responding or have been washed out -- if they've been planted at all.
"It's Missouri," said Gordon Carriker of Christian County office of the Missouri Extension Division.
"It's always questionable whether you can get crops out early. The thing that really affected us is the amount of moisture that has delayed farmers."
Joann Anderson was one of the few vendors at Thursday's first 2008 gathering of the Ozark Farmers Market.
"Last night (April 16) was the first time it wasn't 30 degrees," she said as she sold a few plants along with jewelry, soup and pudding mixes at the weekly event on the Ozark square.
Read entire story here.
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Weather continues to be a problem for the growers at the Webb City market - primarily too much rain. For many, fields have been too wet to work since early February. Others managed to plant only to see it washed away in the heavy rains.
We also had a little freeze damage to the strawberry fields this month, but thankfully nothing like last year.
Today was our opening day. Had to go get more fixings when our free hotdog lunch went over the 350 we planned for. Sales were up about 15% over last year despite threatening weather.
Eileen
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