My family just returned from a cross country vacation last week. We saw many sites in several states, one being the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Mansfield, MO. Attending the Spring Festival was our first visit to Baker Creek. This company has the largest selection of heirloom seeds in the country. At Baker Creek you can see the farm and pioneer village. The village includes a seed store, herbal apothecary, bakery, an old-time mercantile, blacksmith shop, music barns, and much more.
Jon was in his element surrounded by nearly 1,800 different varieties of seeds!
The festival had thousands of attendees which made for some crowded situations. At times it became a bit claustrophobic and nerve-racking keeping track of Paul in the crowds of people (thus the bright orange shirt to easily locate him). This was the only down-side of the festival. It's great that so many people want to join the festivities, but it makes it difficult to see everything.
Paul really enjoyed watching the Blacksmith.
Crowds of people in Pioneer Village. I like the windmill in the background next to the Livery Stable.
I took a picture of the lemonade stand next to the music stage because it was just too cute seeing the owner's daughter in a sundress serving customers fresh squeezed lemonade. She is seen in several pages of the Baker Creek Catalog biting into delicious fruit and is the envy of Jon and Paul when they are perusing the catalog. In the picture you can see Paul waiting to purchase a glass of lemonade.
The Kids' Tent was bustling with activity the entire time with sack races, seed planting, games, and digging in a giant pile of sand.
One aspect we thoroughly enjoyed at the festival was free camping on-site. We were very thankful that Baker Creek allowed attendees to set up camp in the cow pasture right across from the festival grounds. There were even bathrooms with flushing toilets and showers! Camping introduced us to some amazing people who shared common interests in gardening, essential oils, off-grid living, etc. Campers were respectful of each other's space and quiet time and shared meals. Bluegrass music filled the night air when falling asleep. Overall we had a great time at the festival and will return again.
Planting the garden was our first priority after returning from our trip! Using cattle panels as a trellis, Jon and Paul planted Asparagus Beans from Baker Creek. This is our first year growing these beans and the pods grow to about 24 inches long!
This picture was taken from our second story bedroom window. The little plot on the left is for sweet corn. We are using row covers again this year to protect our brassicas from the cabbage worms, melons from the cucumber beetles, and eggplants from the flea beetles.
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