Now in season: Farmer's Market

Hankering for some fresh asparagus, spinach or broccoli? Or perhaps flowers to plant?

Saturday marks the first Fort Scott Farmer's Market for the 2014 season. The market is from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday on Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Local farmers will be selling their seasonal produce. Locals such as Linda and Chet Bower and Ronnie Brown are known for the veggies they bring.

Randy Gregg is the organic herb and produce guy, Jim and Mary Corpstein are known for their organic meat, and there are two honey vendors: Tim Allison and Miles Raymond.

Baked goods are provided by Leta Herboldsheimer and Brian and Brandy Rhoades and other groups who pay the $5 fee for a spot at the farmer's market that day.

Other vendors provide crafts, jellies and jams.

A feature of the Farmer's Market opening day is the annual Bourbon County Master Gardeners Club plant sale, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Gardeners will have an assortment of flowering annuals and perennials for sale, and they won't leave the customer clueless where to plant them.

"They'll be marked whether they go in sun or shade," Karen Billiard, vice president of the club, said. "It's a fundraiser for projects throughout the year. This year we gave $500 towards the new farmer's market banner."

The Bourbon County Master Gardeners Club plants and maintains the plants at Heritage Park, Skubitz Plaza and the annual hanging baskets that adorn downtown Fort Scott from spring through fall.

The club also gives support to other organizations.

"We give money to support things in the community," Billiard said. "A member, Martha Scott, mentioned a need for financial assistance in obtaining a farmers market banner."

The Bourbon County Master Gardeners Club president is Jan Hedges. Billiard and Rita Emmerson are co-vice presidents. The secretary is Janet Irwin and Cheryl Bloomfield is the treasurer.

The second Saturday of each month, Scott and other local chefs will provide breakfast, an event she calls "Breakfast on the Brick."

"The first one will be Saturday, May 10, and will feature Farmer's Market produce as much as possible," Scott said. "There is a reasonable cost involved for the breakfast and it goes to help support farmer's market."

"When it's gone, it's gone. The early bird gets the breakfast," Scott said. Last year she sold out in the first 30 minutes of service, she said.

Starting Tuesday, June 3, area groups can sponsor an ice cream social from 4-6 p.m. at the farmer's market to support a cause of their choice. Each Tuesday a different group will have tables set up to sell ice cream, and no fees are charged from the market board. In warmer weather, a tent will be provided for shade.

Each fundraising group must supply the ice cream, plastic foam cups for the ice cream, spoons and napkins.

"We found out last year that (plastic foam) bowls aren't sturdy enough, so we use (plastic foam) cups," Bobbie Kemna, organizer of the ice cream socials, said.

On June 3, the Nazarene Church will be the first group of the season to provide ice cream They will be raising funds for a mission trip.

"It's a great opportunity for a social gathering," Kemna said. To reserve a Tuesday evening for a fundraiser, contact Kemna at (620) 223-4583 or (620)224-7480.