Morning Glory Farm located in northwest Springfield, Mo., has found a niche market. With Morning Glory Farm Paul Tinlin has found a good use of limited space.
Market gardening, otherwise known as truck farming is growing more popular. This practice and style of farming has stood the test of time for centuries. The United States Department of Agriculture has estimated that the growth of this type of farming has grown 35 percent in the last 12 years with urban sprawl and the rising costs of land and equipment. Market farming allows someone like Paul to do what he enjoys, and be his own boss.
Like in all agriculture, Paul noted, there are risks such as crop failure, weather conditions, insects and competition. But, Paul said, "My produce stacks up real well against the competition."
On a hill overlooking I-44 at Morning Glory Farm, a wide variety of vegetables can be found. Anyone who visits the 13-acre farm, expanded from an original 30-foot by 60-foot garden, will see numerous rows of tomatoes, sweet corn, green beans to rhubarb, pumpkins and a wide variety of sweet to super hot peppers. Within the next year the farm will be offering blueberries, strawberries and other produce for customers to pick for themselves. And to what does he attribute his success? “Experience, trial and error and advice from other farmers."
What started out as a hobby for his retired parents quickly blossomed into a new business venture for Paul when a good friend commented that the lay of their land was ideal for farming. The gently rolling hills would aid in drainage, the location and elevation would help ward off early frost, and a nearby pond could support any irrigation needs. With this in mind, Moring Glory Farm began.
Paul has faced the typical farming challenges with some years more successful than others.
One of Paul's garden philosophies involves a strict adherence to organic farming. “Anything that we use on our land is certified as organic,” he said.
Although Paul prefers to sell his produce straight from the farm, he has booths set up at farmers markets and at Race Brothers in Springfield.
Here or there, Paul said, "I'm able to provide customers with healthy, locally grown produce, fresh for enjoying at dinner or canning and freezing." And that's exactly what he wants to do.
