Pittsburg Farmer's Market thrives in variety

Pittsburg’s Farmers Market had a pretty good day on Saturday.

“The Saturday before Mother’s Day is a big day for us,” said Bob Golay, who does publicity for the Farmers Market association and also helps his wife, Sandy, with Golay Gardens. “A lot of people come here with the guilts, looking for something for Mom.”

That could include plants, hanging baskets, fresh flowers,  and craft items. The Golays also have gourd birdhouses.

“The wrens are here now, and we can’t let them be homeless,” Mrs. Golay said.

Or, if Mom has a hankering for fresh radishes or asparagus, those were also available.

Some of the vendors, such as Janet and Karl Lipscomb and Joe Clark, all of Pittsburg, have just started at the Farmers Market, which is open from 7:30 a.m. until sell-out on Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. until sell-out on Wednesday.

The market is operated by a loosely-organized vendors association.

“The vendors are all individual businesses, independent contractors,” Golay said. “We take turns serving as market master.”

Ed Cook, Liberal, Mo., is the veteran of the group.

“I think I’m probably the only original vendor left from when the market started over at Second and Pine,” he said.

He grows a lot of berry crops — including strawberries, blueberries and blackberries — and calls his business “Cook’s Berry Junction.” He also started bringing farm-fresh eggs this year.

Cook keeps coming back for a couple of reasons.

“Part of it is the joy of seeing the same people every season,” he said. “Some people still appreciate good produce, and it’s nice to be able to provide it for them.”

Bob and Dorothy Dickey, also of Liberal, have been bringing vegetables to the Farmers Market for five years. Mrs. Dickey cans some of them as pickled peppers and relishes.

“A good way to retire from carpentry work is to start gardening and work yourself to death,” Dickey said. “But every place where I have things planted, I’d have to mow anyway.”

Karl and Janet Lipscomb, Pittsburg, are first-timers, bringing lots of herbs, tomato and chili plants, some banzai trees and artichoke plants.

“Most of these plants we started from seed in February and put them in the bedroom window,” Lipscomb said. “It was too cold to put them outside.”

“It’s the first time we’ve tried to grow artichokes, and they seem to be growing well so far,” his wife added.

Dana and John Parsons, Opolis, come with baked goods. “I use all organic flower, farm eggs — this is real food,” Mrs. Parsons said. “They call me ‘Big Cookie’ because I do not make small, dainty cookies.”

In the early morning hours of the market, Joe Clark offered biscuits and gravy for breakfast. As the day progressed toward noon, he brought out the pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans and brownies.

“I love to cook, and I just started a business, Ultimate Choice Catering,” Clark said. “Everything we sell, I cook myself. I love it when people take that first bite and I see that smile come across their face.”

One of his customers Saturday was Debbie Potter, who also purchased some hardy hibiscus plants from another vendor.

“I come out here because I like fresh-looking garden vegetables and plants,” she said. “It’s also fun to visit with all the vendors and the other shoppers.”

As the season progresses, other vegetables will make their appearance.

“I’ll have sweet corn, melons and everything as the summer progresses,” Cook said.

“I’ve got 6,000 sweet onions in the ground, and some green beans and potatoes,” said Sandy Golay. “I hope that they don’t wash out.”

The weather has been a problem.

“We’re off to a good start here, but we need decent weather,” Dickey said.

He didn’t get it this Saturday. A thunderstorm rolled in, but fortunately most of the vendors were winding down anyway.

“I think it would be nice if there was a pavilion over the market, possibly with some power in it,” Dana Parsons said. “As it is now, in the hot summer weather I can’t bring frosted items and my chocolate chips melt. A pavilion would be a great asset to the city, too. It could be used for other things, including the ARTWalk.”

She’s also got another idea that she thinks would benefit the area economy.

“When people get those tax rebate checks,” Parsons said, “they should spend that money at yard sales and farmers markets.”