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We’re still a couple of months away from being able to buy the crops desired bove.
Right on schedule, local farmers are harvesting their early crops to coincide with Earth Day. And the Webb City Farmers Market will celebrate with a Spring Kick-Off from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 22, at the pavilion in King Jack Park. Mayor Lynn Ragsdale will ring the market bell to signal the start of a new growing season.
From this point on, the market farmers’ tables are going to become more and more full with incredible fresh, locally-grown produce.*
Spring Kick-Off also marks the beginning of the Tuesday Markets, which will begin Tuesday, April 25. They’re from 4 to 7 p.m.
The nationally-recognized market, now in its 23rd year, used to hold an opening-day ceremony in April. But Stefanie Thomasma, president of the market board of directors, says Spring Kick-Off is more appropriate since the market has been open year-round in recent years.
Earth Day is also the perfect time to renew the Kid’s Community Garden next to the market pavilion. Master Gardener Eric Osen will demonstrate how to prepare the garden’s raised beds for planting. Kids are invited throughout the summer on Saturdays and Tuesdays to tend the garden and enjoy the best part – harvesting.
Along with fresh produce, Spring Kick-Off customers will be able to shop at the ranchers’ trailers for all kinds of proteins and eggs. Other vendors will be offering breads and other baked goods, hot foods like pupusas and egg rolls, beverages like coffee and kombucha, and much more!
Spring Kick-Off activities will also include a hot breakfast, a cooking demonstration by Chuck Lonardo, live music with Nathan Roberts, face painting by Cummings Cross Farm, and games like jenga, corn hole, and washers.
One more thing: members of the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway Association will be giving free rides around the park on historic Streetcar No. 60.
Those attending the inaugural Carthage Community Earth Day Celebration Saturday will have the opportunity to plant pink dogwood trees in Central Park.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park.
The Carthage Dogwood Club has been instrumental in rehabilitating the park over the years, from purchasing the irrigation system for the flower beds to planting beautiful roses encompassing the fountain.
Planting the trees is just one phase of the event. “When planning started for this event, we thought it would be small and a few events for kids. However, we were able to bring groups on board that shared the same passion that we share about bringing awareness to our community about water conservation, composting, planting plants, bike riding, and so much more,” said Julie Reams, president of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.
Food trucks and Innovative Industries will be at the park, hosting a Shred-A-Thon. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to bring any paper they would like to have shredded and disposed of correctly; this is offered free of charge. The Carthage Farmers Market will also be open beginning at 8 am.
Other activities include a nature scavenger hunt, face painting, and YMCA composting; Hess Brothers Bicycle Shop will be on hand for a Strider bike demonstration; the Carthage R-9 school will help kids plant flowers in pots; there will be over 200 saplings given away from the City of Carthage Tree Board, a coloring contest and many more activities. Information booths will be available to highlight their activities at George Washington Carver. Carthage Water & Electric will have information on Dig Rite and their upcoming 5K, the Tower2Tower, The MU Extension office, and more.
The Missouri Tomato School, with tried-and-true methods to improve tomato crops will be held in May.
The hybrid class kicks off on May 16 with a full day of presentations in-person in St. Louis or via Zoom. May 17 features farm visits in St. Louis, while May 18 features two options for farm visits in southwest or central Missouri.
The school brings together national and regional experts and tomato farmers to share the latest best practices and time-honored methods for successful tomato production. Recordings will be provided to both in-person and zoom registrants.
Registration is online at (https://web.cvent.com/event/7c229a76-e5e7-4f3b-a127-27ee55c06dc9/regProcessStep1)
The closest farm visit on May 18 will be in Springfield at the Community Gardens, Amanda Bell Farm at Cox South Hospital and Milsap Farm.
The School is underwritten in part by a specialty crops block grant through the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The Webb City Farmers Market is assisting with publicity.
Webb City CARES Fun Walk to be held April 29 in Cardinal Dome
Walking for Cardinals Fun Walk, an annual event held by Webb City CARES will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 29, in the Cardinal Dome.
The family fun includes walking laps, inflatables, games and face painting.
Webb City Reads members will conduct a book fair, literacy games, reaad alouds and prizes.
There will be free t-shirts, drinks and snacks while supplies last.
The cost of entry will be $5 at the door.
Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.
The Webb City Sentinel isn’t a newspaper – but it used to be, serving Webb City, Missouri, in print from 1879-2020. This “newspaper” seeks to carry on that tradition as a nonprofit corporation.
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