Farmers' Markets/CSAs? (St. Louis, Springfield, Joplin: for sale, coop, house)

[Miss Solemnis]

After being here three months, I still don't know what's here and what's not! I'd love to find some great farmers' markets around Branson and see on the MO Dept of Ag site that there's one in Ozark that apparently starts tomorrow night, also one in Nixa, Reeds Spring, and a couple in Springfield. Anyone know what the selection is like at these various markets? Have preferences or good/bad experiences to share? Also, I haven't had any luck finding a CSA, so information on those would be appreciated also!

[firebll31]

With just a little driving time, you can be at the Murphy orchards in Marionville. They have not only locally grown fruit but also vegetables, jams, jellies and honey. It has always been a highlight of my summer to drive down when the peaches are ready. Nothing like biting into a tree-ripened peach, where the juice DRIPS off your elbow! While you are there, stop by the park and watch the famous white squirrels playing.

[MOviaCA]

Pardon my ignorance. But what fresh fruit is MO climate able to grow? I was surprised by peaches.

[Miss Solemnis]

Thanks for the info, firebll! I'll definitely be interested in peaches when they come into season. I'm still hoping to find a good local market for weekly veggie runs.

MOviaCA, I'm no good source since we just recently moved here, but a quick Google shows apples, peaches, watermelons and grapes are grown here. Also, I was recently at a farm in Lampe to look at some restaurant equipment they had for sale and it appears they grow blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc. there. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable will come along with additional info.

[firebll31]

most melons,cantaloupe, pears also. Last year we had a very late, very hard freeze and there was not much fruit because the trees had already budded out. Quite a lot of wild fruit grows as well-'possum grapes, persimmons, wild pear (these are hard even when ripe but taste great when canned) pawpaws, and several types of berries. What is a CSA?

[Miss Solemnis]

Firelbll, CSA is "community supported agriculture." It's a partnership of sorts between you and a farmer or a group of farmers, depending upon how the CSA is set up. At the beginning of the season you pay a fee to buy a "share" and in return you get a weekly assortment of fresh veggies from that farmer or group of farmers during the growing season. A "share" is usually set up to provide enough veggies for a family of four each week. In the past, we've paid $300 for 20-week share. It helps the farmers because they get cash up front at the beginning of the growing season, when they need things like seed, etc., and I love getting that gorgeous assortment of fresh-picked items every week. Depending on your CSA, the weekly deliveries can also include things like free-range eggs, honey, and herbs in addition to the veggies. The one I've partnered with in the past is a fantastic organic farm, but it's in Oklahoma so I'm looking for a new one in this area.

[firebll31]

Ah, yes, I've heard of those. But I can't remember hearing of any around my area, probably because so many people already grow their own, give it away, or sell it at the Farmer's Markets. Most large-scale farmers specialize in one crop at a time, like corn, soybeans or wheat. There is a local grower who has a permanent stand in Carthage, they are called Roffman Farms. I think they also sell in Joplin. Many kinds of seasonal veggies and berries. For local meat, we have the butchers and eggs, my father-in-law (he has about 70 chickens)! My ex-piano teacher sells honey.
Are they still considered "free-range" chickens if they have a coop with an attached fenced run, where they can go in and out as they please? Without a fence, how do they protect them from the critters? My FIL actually caught a chicken-hawk IN the run eating a hen the other day. One .22 shell later, he doesn't have to worry about that hawk any more!

[Miss Solemnis]

Your FIL could most likely attach the "free range" designation to those chickens. There's apparently no strict definition of what "free range" actually is. Despite the fact that "free range" would indicate no fencing whatsoever, many poultry farmers with a set up like you described call their chickens/eggs free range.

Wish I could grow my own veggies! Maybe next year. Our house is new construction and apparently sits on solid rock, covered by about two inches of dirt with some sod thrown on top. Raised beds would definitely be the thing, but there's no way I could get all of that done for this year. So I've practically covered the upper deck with enormous pots of herbs and things that I'll never find around here - like mizuna - and will content myself with that for now. And hopefully find a great farmers' market around here soon! In the meantime, I run down to Tulsa about every three weeks for a haircut and to do some shopping for things I can't seem to locate here - the big Asian markets, Whole Foods, Williams-Sonoma, etc. - and will hit the farmers' markets there. I'm gonna need to buy a bigger car to haul back all of this stuff from Tulsa!

Thanks for your responses. I feel as if I'm talking to myself around here most of the time!

[firebll31]

my in-laws always put in a big garden so we get tomatoes, corn,green beans,and new potatoes. She makes 3 kinds of pickles too. We have grown pumpkins in the past and I'm going to have them put in some hybrid squash for me this year. They also have pigs so we get home-grown bacon,ham and pork chops. Nothing like farm-raised bacon and fresh eggs for breakfast!
Whenever we go to Springfield we stop at the East-East Asian market for frozen edamame which I can't get here and sometimes squid.

[mrschilicook]

Springfield farmers market is on Tues, Thurs, and Sat. with Sat. being the big day....but it's too early for produce. Last weekend they had seedlings, and a few other gardening things. The one in Ozark is on the square but we didn't make it last year....giving it a try this year.

Take a look at the following website. You can find both CSA's and farmers Markets along with other local ranching/farming goods.

Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food

LOL about driving to Tulsa for groceries...when we first moved here (last year) I drove to St. Louis for Whole Foods and Trader Joes. After a fashion you sort of adapt to the area and what is available. Aitkens (Battlefield) and Mama Jeans (Campbell north of Sunshine with another coming soon to South Springfield) has enough of the stuff we wanted to get by. We've adapted to PriceCutter and Country Mart and SamsClub (frozen seafood and smoked salmon), although we still make a Trader Joe's run a couple of times a year (along with Costco). I also still need a DSW and Norstroms "fix" from time to time.

As far as what grows here....LOTS of stuff. My dad (he's on the lake) grows apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, watermelon, crenshaws, asparagus, lettuces, tomatoes, onions, turnipis, potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, beats, onions, shallots, leeks, broccoli, and whatever else the moods strikes him to plant. Fortunately, I don't really "need" a farmers market when his garden comes into play. The only thing he hasn't succeeded in growing has been apricots and citrus...too cold for citrus trees.