Which comes first . . .

You’ve heard this question many times, “Which came first? The chicken or the egg?” Well, in the world of MRHA a continuing question has been, “Do we grow and then look for markets? Or do we find markets and then grow?” I am here to tell you there are several who have decided to no longer stand around and ask the question. Markets. Markets. Markets everywhere!

Today my questions for you are: Does all this snow have you yearning for your garden? Then come July you will be growing way too many veggies in your back yard? After awhile, do your friends quit answering their doors for free veggies? One of the first words of advice I received after moving to Ste. Genevieve was when to lock my car doors – during zucchini season! If you are tired of canning for yourself or, worse, watching things die on the vine, boy, have I got news for you. Let your garden pay off, and check out your local farmers’ market. The patrons are there and the markets need your goods! I keep the list of regional farmers’ market on hand. Just send me an e-mail telling me where you are and I’ll provide the contacts: coordinator@mississippiriverhills.org

Now let’s go a step farther. One of these days, MRHA will have an amazing complex with offices, meeting space, and the most wonderful shared-use, commercial kitchen. It will be above and beyond anything of which we could ever dream. But right now – well . . . we don’t. BUT what we do have is – markets. Markets. Markets everywhere! They are springing up like crocus!

One fine example is MRHA member Jones Heritage Farms in Cape Girardeau. They have built it and the customers have come. The customers are buying Jones' fresh meats and eggs, Baetje cheeses, and Show Me Fresh Farm lettuce just as fast as the store manager, Connie Meyer, can stock the coolers. Standing in the middle of this wonderful little store are shelves ready for “home-canned” goods. The problem: Their only possible supplier within 50 miles has now retired. What to do? What to do?

Oh wait! It’s garden planning time! With a little extra of this and a little extra of that, add a willingness to create value-added products, a pinch of salt, and viola! you could be selling stores like Jones Heritage Farms Market everything you can can while you dance out the door with your cash - and have friends in July!

Until we can build our amazing complex, let’s network this into reality. Write your connections and suggestions below in the “Comments” and let’s see what we can do – together.