If you want to know the value of having the proper tools, visit your local farmers’ market. Over the last year, The USDA has offered cost-share reimbursements to farmers wanting to turn tilled ground into season-extending vegetable production with the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative. Last year, the Missouri Department of Agriculture started assisting farmers with the upfront costs through the High Tunnel Loan Program. Continue reading →

Many markets around the state kicked off in style this weekend, the style of a polar bear that is. But even a blanket of snow didn’t keep farmers from covering their tables with mountains of colorful greens. For the customers that braved the weather, the selection was great and the company even better. Continue reading →

The first week of May marks the opening of many farmers’ markets around the state. This year it is also the start of Morel season. The tasty little nuggets of golden brown goodness can also bring the price of gold and this week we saw them priced anywhere from $20 to $40 a quart. Continue reading →

Several markets around the state set up their tents this weekend to get an early jump on the season. We may have seen flurries in spots last week, but by Saturday there was a flurry of activity on the farmers’ market front. Continue reading →

On the first of March, much of Missouri may have been under a foot of snow, but vegetable growers still had potatoes, peas, lettuce, radishes and other cold crops in the ground. With the help of high tunnels, low tunnels and all sorts of innovative techniques, many farmers’ markets around the state will be opening the first week of April, with most markets open by May 15. Continue reading →

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays underway and the new year right around the corner, there is no better way to come together and reflect on the year than by gathering with friends and family around the table to warm your soul with the flavors of the season. Continue reading →

November often marks the end of farmers’ market season in Missouri. However for many markets their winter season is just beginning. With high tunnels, green houses and creative growing techniques, many farmers’ keep the goodness coming all year round. The markets the those farmers sell at may alter their hours or location, but they still come together to bring you some of the best food and fun Missouri has to offer. Continue reading →

Following the first hard frosts covering large areas of the state, we saw the first major reduction in availability at markets this week. The variety stayed consistent and diverse, but many growers without ways to extend their growing season, such as high tunnels and row covers, saw their selection greatly reduced or their season or come to an end altogether. The good news now is, with no frost in the forecast, we should have a few more good weeks ahead of us. Continue reading →

It’s the first of October – and usually the time when everyone starts to think apples, but this year you’d better think fast because the season came early and will end early too. Many orchards are predicting to sell out in the next couple of weeks, a whole month ahead of the normal time. Continue reading →

Football isn’t the only thing in season right now, and the variety at your farmers’ market is sure to take your tailgate to the next level. Win or lose, food is the best medicine and the best food comes from your hometown team. Continue reading →

The harvest season has been celebrated for centuries around the world, recognizing not only the bounty of food available, but also nature’s way of maximizing the flavor, texture and durability of the food harvested during this time of the year. Continue reading →

It may feel like fall with these cool nights and mornings, but it still looks a lot like summer at most of the farmers’ markets around the state. While some fall favorites are coming in now, our warm, dry conditions this summer have allowed many of those seasonal favorites to continue producing. Continue reading →

It may have rained on the holiday weekend, but after some of the driest conditions this generation of farmers’ has seen, most made it to the market – even if it was only to dance in the rain. Continue reading →

Normally this would be peak time for tomatoes across Missouri, but with everything arriving a month early we are moving right into apples as harvest begin across the northern part of the state. Apples coming in early doesn’t mean that tomatoes are done though, as it may have suggested in the past. Continue reading →

The market report is taking a detour to the Missouri State Fair to highlight the AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market in the Agriculture Building. While everyone associates the fair with their fried favorites, there are also lots or fresh favorites from across Missouri available in the market. Apples and peaches are great on the go, and wide variety of baked goods are perfect for eating outside the barn. Continue reading →

Tomatoes are having a record year under these drought conditions. Growers who have battled fungus in the past are finding a silver lining to our extremely dry conditions and bringing a bumper crop of tomatoes to markets throughout the state. Continue reading →

We are in for another hot week across the state and our farmers are still coming out with plenty of great melons to cool you off. The heat may be slowing down some things, but it brings out others. There is nothing as refreshing as biting into a juicy Missouri watermelon on a hot summer day. Continue reading →

With most of the state seeing rain and lower temperatures this week, things seem to be looking up for farmers and farmers’ market customers. Markets continue to be well-stocked, with fresh produce from the sweet to the savory and everything between. Continue reading →

Sweet corn is supposed to be knee high by the 4th of July, but this year many ears are already mounded in the back of pickup trucks as high as you can stack it, headed for local farmers’ markets and family barbecues. There is a wide variety of great things out there to throw on the grill – from fresh veggies to local meats – at your local farmers’ market. Continue reading →

It has been an amazing spring at Missouri’s farmers’ markets, and while most summer favorites don’t typically come out until July, some of the summer crops arrived as early as May. Continue reading →

Local sweet corn and cantaloupe made surprise appearances at many Fathers’ Day barbecues as crops continue to come in three to four weeks ahead of schedule across Missouri. The mild spring and some daring farmers’ decisions to plant early are making this one of the most abundant summers we can remember. Continue reading →

There’s no better way to follow up those green beans and brats at your weekend barbecue than fresh, local fruit, and this week’s farmers’ markets are bursting with peaches and berries perfect for cobblers and other sweet treats. Continue reading →

From St. Joe to Springfield the peaches are in with a host of other summer favorites joining them a little early. Not only are summer favorites coming in early, but spring specialties are running out early too. So get to your farmers’ market and catch the best of both worlds. Continue reading →

Last year proved to be one of the best ever for Missouri peaches. This year is on track to be one of the earliest. Two orchards in the Springfield area started picking this week and peaches from both are headed to their respective farmers’ markets to debut the bounty. Continue reading →

The green beans are coming. The strawberries are here. And the vendors can’t wait to see the whites of your eyes. The length of the daylight is finally balancing out with temperatures and crops are only running about two weeks ahead of schedule now. Continue reading →

The first week of May meant opening day for many markets across the state. When it came to the selection, it looked more like the first week of June. Continue reading →

Welcome to May and the official start of farmers’ market season. As the rain moves out this week, the weather should be perfect to head to your local market, meet farmers and find all kinds of great things to eat. Continue reading →

The weather has been more in line with April the last couple of weeks, but the markets are still looking like May and early June. Many markets are opening early to keep pace with this year’s early crops. Continue reading →

The rain came out in full force last weekend, but so did the farmers to Missouri’s farmers’ markets. They were ready rain or shine, with lots of home-grown goodness. Continue reading →

The market season is booming early this year with some of Missouri’s larger markets opening last weekend. Continue reading →

It has been a long mild winter, and while it hasn’t felt like winter to many of us, crops are seasonal whether we are or not. Most markets across the state are not scheduled to open until May, but many of the winter markets are still going, and the larger markets tend to open early. Continue reading →

October often marks the end of the season for farmers’ markets around Missouri. With this weather, those that have stayed open are still getting great harvests. Nonetheless, there comes a time when a farmer needs a break too. This week’s report won’t go over what you will find at the markets, you can read the older reports for that. It will tell you which markets are still open through this weekend, and those that will keep going into winter. Continue reading →

There are many markets coming to a close this month, but the farms sure aren’t. The produce coming in now is some of the best and most prolific we have seen all year. As a result, farmers are finding the markets that stay open later than others. This is proving great for some of the smaller, up and coming markets, as vendors with good supplies are checking out new venues. Continue reading →

It is turning out to be a beautiful fall, and so is the selection at your local farmers’ markets. Just when you think that the summer crops are going to wind down we finally get that late surge into the 80’s to keep the crops coming. Continue reading →

As the fields turn those brilliant colors of fall and before the leaves turn on the trees, there is something even more colorful brewing at your local farmers’ market. If you think it is all pumpkins and mums, you have another thing coming. While the fall staples for truck farmers are in, your vegetable farmers are still out in the fields at work. Continue reading →

The quantities may be down, but quality and variety are definitely up. As some markets close for the season and vendors with limited variety wind down, vendors that remain are finding new markets, and those who have staggered diversified crops are seeing the dividends. If you haven’t made it to your market lately, it will look a little different, and most likely it will look great. Continue reading →

It’s starting to feel like fall, and markets are starting to look more like spring. If you’ve been craving that fresh salad from the garden, the greens are back and better than ever. Continue reading →

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees last week and into the 70’s this week, it’s suddenly September, and the beans are back. This may be the most underrated month at farmers’ markets. Continue reading →

It is starting to feel more like fall out there, and that should make it look a little more like spring at the farmers’ markets. Cool weather will bring spring crops back to the table, while the best of summer keeps coming well into September and August. Continue reading →

The temperatures may be up and down, but it should keep steady supplies at your local market well into fall. Cool weather last week gave farmers a jump on fall crops, and hot weather this week will keep the summer crops around a little longer. Continue reading →

Don’t let the cool weather fool you. It is still August in Missouri and things are bound to heat back up. Be sure to read this week’s AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market Report to see what’s hot around the state. Continue reading →

It may be cooling off this week, but the markets are still going to feel the heat for another week or two. Between a little bit of rain and cooler temperatures, flowers are blooming and fruits are setting again. No matter how good it feels, it may take a little bit for the beans and corn to flood the markets again. Continue reading →

You can taste a Missouri summer in those tomatoes this week. Be sure to read this week’s AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market Report to see what else is in season around the state. Continue reading →

Whether you like it red, yellow, green or even fruity, it’s salsa season so bring on the heat! Be sure to read this week’s AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market Report to see what is in season around the state. Continue reading →

You couldn’t pick a better week to cool off with a nice ripe peach or fresh cool cantaloupe! Be sure to read this week’s AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market Report to see what else is in season. Continue reading →

It is HOT out there! While the heat is driving us inside, it is bringing out the corn and tomatoes. Be sure to read the AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market Report to see what is happening at Missouri’s markets. Continue reading →

The summer heat is setting in, and this week’s rains should help bring more of your favorite summer crops to the local farmers’ market. Be sure to read this week’s AgriMissouri Farmers’ Market Report to see what is happening at markets around the state. Continue reading →