“Nature’s first green is gold…” – Baby Miracle, age 11 months, 2024  

The greenhouse at Juniper Gardens Training Farm has been open for three weeks. 
 
Fans whir above heaters on cold nights; staff roll up the walls on hot days; farmers bend over tubs of potting soil; crows chat in the garden plots outside. Tables are packed tight with enough potted seedlings for about 9 acres of greens: Black Magic kale; New Red Fire lettuce; Diamond eggplant; alliums and herbs galore.  
   
The lead up to the Farm Share launch is a busy time. Farm Classes bring new farmers up to speed on how to start their cold weather crops; the fields are ready to receive transplants; CSA volunteers are recruited and trained.   
  

Farm Share 2024 is Around the Corner  

The kickoff is coming fast! Farm Share distribution will begin on May 8th For Wednesday pick-ups and May 9th for Thursday pick-ups. Staff will contact subscribers in the weeks leading up to the kickoff to confirm pick up locations. Those locations will be the same as previous years:  
   

• Plexpod Westport Commons, Wednesdays 11:30am-1:00pm (300 E 39th Street, KCMO)  
• Black and Veatch World Headquarters, Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:00pm (11401 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66211)  
• The Merc Co+Op, Thursdays 11:30am-1:00pm (501 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS 66101)  
• Ten Thousand Villages, Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm (7947 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS)  
• City Market, in KCMO, Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:00pm (20 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO  

If you are interested in signing up for a Farm Share but haven’t gotten around to it, no worries! There is still time. Follow the link here to register today.  

Volunteers Needed  

Like readying a ship for sea, the process of getting a farm ready for the growing season takes more than tools and equipment. It takes hands!  

New Roots relies heavily on volunteer support throughout the growing season. We have a particular need for Farm Share volunteers this season— individuals who volunteer for a few hours a month helping us distribute New Roots farmers’ produce to customers.   

We have an Volunteer Information Session on March 7th from 4:30pm-6:00pm for those interested in learning more about the sweet, sweet life as a New Roots volunteer. RSVP today so we know how many folks are coming!   

Busy on March 7th? Sign up on the Volunteer Interest form at newrootskc.org and we’ll reach out.  

Transplant Sale April 27  

Come join us on April 27th from 9:00am-12:00pm at Juniper Gardens Training Farm for our Annual Transplant Sale. Every year, New Roots farmers get plants started in the greenhouse that you can purchase for your home garden. Flowers, herbs, vegetables, and of course the culturally specific plants reflecting the diversity of the New Roots farmers themselves!  

There will also be games, treats from local vendors, and perfect spring weather (guaranteed). Nothing says “Spring” like buying an ambitious number of plants and putting them in the ground.   

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for details on this and future events, @newrootskc.