MOORE FAMILY FARM

Josh Moore with the first harvest of onions grown on the family farm.

Gretchen Moore and Charlie getting ready to plant potatoes.

Strawberries grown by the Moore family in 2022.

Whether dusk or dawn, there’s always work to be done on a farm. Farming is not known as an easy job. But as George Washington said, “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.”

Covering many acres of Barry and Lawrence Counties are farms of all sizes and kinds. Outside of Monett is the Moore Berry and Produce Farm run by the Moore family. Josh, Gretchen, 12-year-old Charlie, and 8-year-old Alice Moore have been growing corn on their farm for the past several years. “In 2019, we started selling direct from the farm and created the Facebook page and branched out to grow a variety of other produce,” said Gretchen Moore.

The Moore family grows a variety of crops that stretch from spring to fall. In the spring and summer months, crops for sale include: strawberries, blackberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, asparagus, cantaloupe, and watermelon. When fall arrives, they harvest and sell pumpkins and gourds. Alongside their produce, the Moore family also sells local honey from Brian and Monica Crouch.

The stalks of sweet corn growing tall on the Moore Berry and Produce Farm.

Working the farm is a family affair. Alice and Charlie help plant and harvest.

While the family started growing berries years ago, they took a break when their children were younger. “We grew sweet corn as the kids grew older and wanted to be part of the farm,” said Gretchen. “Then three years ago we started selling direct from the farm, and that is when Moore Berry and Produce Farm began.”

Life on a farm wasn’t new to Gretchen Moore. She grew up on a dairy farm west of Freistatt. “During the summers, I helped grow, harvest, and sell sweet corn, tomatoes, and pumpkins, among other things, from our family farm as well as at the farmers’ market,” Moore explained. “My brother had the truck farm as his FFA project, and this inspired me to have it be my project as well.”

Now, on her own farm outside Monett, Gretchen carries on the farming tradition with her family. “My husband loves gardening and the outdoors and is a non-stop worker,” Moore said. “He likes to experiment with new varieties to see what grows best. He researches and utilizes the many ways to plant the berries and vegetables. This includes top soil preservation, crop rotation, erosion prevention, cover crops, and plasticulture.”

When getting her children involved in the farm, Gretchen says she enjoys spending time as a family and hopes to inspire them to do the things they love. “The kids love playing in the dirt.”

And as their farm has grown so has their “farm family.” Community members and regular customers have become friends that the family enjoys seeing each time they return to the farm. The Moore family finds joy in the farm, their family, their community, and in spending time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.

As is common with farming, there are challenges. The Missouri weather isn’t kind to crops. Floods, hail, frost, wind, and drought all can take a toll on the crops. And the Moores also have to contend with the wildlife that like to “sample” the products.

But all these challenges are outweighed by the joy of farming as a family. “Be prepared to work very hard,” Moore said. “The days can be very long and the challenges are endless, but working with family has outweighed the challenges.”

The hours of the Moore Berry and Produce Farm vary by season. They are frequently open on the weekends and during the week in the evenings. To find specifics on times and available crops, check out the Moore Berry and Produce Farm on Facebook. n

by Faith Herron

Faith Herron is a dietetic intern at Cox College who has found a way to capitalize on her love for food by pursuing a career that centers around it. She is passionate about preventive health care and using food as medicine. In her free time, Faith enjoys experimenting with new recipes, playing tennis, and reading classic literature.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

You have probably heard breakfast referred to as ‘the most important meal of the day,’ and this can be true for numerous reasons. Breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period, improves energy levels, and replenishes your body’s nutrient stores, among other things. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize the benefits of breakfast and often skip it entirely. In this article, we will discuss the importance of breakfast and strategies to maximize the benefits of your first meal of the day.

Energy

Throughout the night, the body utilizes its energy stores for growth and repair. The body’s main source of energy is glucose, which is broken down from the carbohydrates you eat. Once this energy source is depleted, your body breaks down fatty acids to produce the energy it needs. Your energy stores are low in the morning because you have gone without food for so long. Eating a balanced and varied breakfast helps replenish our energy stores.

Nutrients

Breakfast foods are often rich in key nutrients. For example, cereal is often fortified with vitamins. Breakfast can also provide a good amount of your day’s total nutrient intake. Eating breakfast can increase satiety, or keep us full for longer, preventing overeating at other meals during the day.

Improved Brain Function

Eating breakfast is associated with improved concentration and memory. Skipping breakfast may cause you to struggle to focus because your brain has not received the energy it needs, which can make it more difficult to get through the day.

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ELECT PARRIGON FOR PROSECUTOR

Paid for by Parrigon for Prosecutor Committee, Sherie Thrasher, Treasurer

DARLENE PARRIGON REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY *Monett High School Class of ‘91 *MSSU (formerly MSSC) Class of ‘03 *University of Arkansas School of Law Class of ‘06 *Parrigon Law Office, LLC in Pierce City since ‘08 *General legal practice of law including juvenile (abuse, neglect as well as delinquencies including misdemeanors and felonies) and municipal *Current Municipal Prosecuting Attorney for Mount Vernon, Pierce City, Village of Freistatt and

Stotts City in Lawrence County along with several other cities in Barry and Newton counties *Former Prosecuting Attorney for Miller and Verona in Lawrence County *Currently Special Prosecutor for nuisance violations in Monett *Attorney for the 39th Circuit Juvenile Office for Barry, Lawrence and Stone counties since ‘14

“It is important for your prosecutor to protect the Lawrence County community through the pursuit of truth, justice, and the deterrence of crime. The prosecutor’s role is to vigorously prosecute both violent and habitual offenders and bring them to justice as quickly as possible. It is important for a prosecutor to advocate for and keep every victim informed. I’ve been dedicated to the legal profession for over 26 years, in various roles, with more than 16 years as an attorney and more than a decade of those years as a municipal prosecutor. I have the determination, skills and knowledge to handle cases systematically to ensure efficient justice.

If elected as your Lawrence County Prosecutor, I will fully investigate and prosecute culpable defendants to the fullest extent allowed by law. ” VOTE

PRIMARY: AUGUST 2, 2022

GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 8

Nutritious Breakfast Ideas

You are more likely to eat breakfast if it is easy to prepare and takes little time. Here are some suggestions for quick breakfast ideas that use few ingredients: • Mix protein powder into your oatmeal for added nutrition.

Top it with fruit or nuts to boost the fiber content. • Add fresh fruit to plain

Greek yogurt. Unflavored yogurts have much less added sugars than the flavored alternatives, and adding in fresh fruit adds fiber. • Fresh fruit and nuts make for a remarkably simple, nutrient-dense breakfast. • Make a smoothie with plain

Greek yogurt, milk, and fresh fruit. Add flaxseed or chia seed to add some healthy fats. • Scramble a couple of eggs with whatever vegetables you have in the house (sweet potato, spinach, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.). • Toast two slices of whole wheat bread and top with mashed avocado.