Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery Veterans is new group being established to participate in Wreaths Across America in Webb City a year from now.

Susie Crutcher says that although she appreciates seeing the Wreaths Across America event at Fort Scott National Cemetery, she and her husband, Ron, are disappointed there hasn’t been a similar event here in recent years.

As sponsors of Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery Veterans, they are seeking for a wreath to be laid at each of the 1,100 veteran graves in the cemetery.

The wreaths cost $15 each, and with the purchase of two, Wreaths Across America will contribute a third.

Click here for more information about preparation for the Dec. 17, 2022, wreath laying ceremony in Webb City.

Webb City Farmers Market to receive two statewide specialty crop grants

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has announced that Webb City Farmers Market has been chosen to receive two of nine USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants being awarded in Missouri.

“The projects receiving funds will assist Missouri farmers for years, and even generations, to come,” said Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “Adding new markets and strengthening existing ones helps their bottom line and also can provide the opportunity for the next generation to return to the farm.”

Webb City Farmers Market will receive a $50,000 grant to establish and operate a demonstration site with a focus on growing blackberries, elderberries and high tunnel strawberries.

The market’s second grant, in the amount of $44,939, will be used to create and share educational videos about growing eight specialty crops, using best practices and solving issues found on a southwest Missouri farm.

Karen Scott, of Oakwoods Farm, who is president of the market board of directors, credits market manager Rachael Lynch and former manager Eileen Nichols for submitting the successful applications. The market will receive help completing the projects from extension agents of Lincoln University and University of Missouri.

“These projects support our sense of responsibility to the community and our longstanding tradition of giving back to the community through the work we do through grants,” said Scott. “We do more than just sell food!”