This place is just amazing!!!
If you are not familiar with the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, you probably should be. In the "war on food" these guys are frontline in providing non-mutant, healthy seeds, and I love to visit when I get the opportunity. Today, it was for their 18th Annual Spring Planting Festival, and boy did the people turn out!!!
HERE WE COME!!!
Man, when you run into a "traffic jam" in the middle of nowhere when there has been no accident, it may mean something good! It took us a long time to come in this way, and we saw vehicles and people from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and even Nevada. Many more were probably present, but those are the ones that I caught without really looking. It encouraged me to see so many people excited about gardening with real seeds! Also, normally I "sneak in" the back way through some dirt roads, but this time I joined the crowd. Might have to sneak in tomorrow and save some time.
Thanks to @tecnosgirl, @mama-pepper had this great steemit tote bag to bring along. We love the dual purpose ability of this particular one to act as a carrying pouch while simultaneously advertising steemit! Thanks @tecnosgirl!
This was the first steemian that walked up and asked if I was the @papa-pepper. He first saw the @little-peppers and then noticed me. It was the first time that I met him, and his username is @mr-easyfix. I always meant to carry a STEEM Silver Round on me to give to the first person to randomly recognize me like that, so if he's back tomorrow I might have bring that prize! @Mr-Easyfix recently moved down to the Ozarks from Rhode Island, citing @mericanhomestead and @papa-pepper as inspirational in that decision. It was a blessing to meet you man. That girl next to @mr-easyfix is @serenacrafts, his daughter.
Then came the Ninja of STEEM, @dwells himself. Since he recently won my JAWZRCISE giveaway and I heard that he may be at the festival, I brought his prize along. Consider this the "before" photo as he now enters the fantastic world of facial fitness! As usual, his wife @essentialoilmom was also with him.
These steemians were also in the area, running a booth for demonstrations and one for homesteading merchandise. It was great to see @shalomacres, @mericanhomestead, and @randomstuff once again. WE had some fun talking about things as usual, and I had to pick up some smoked salt and beard oil too!
While I was hanging out near that booth another steemian approached to ask if I was indeed @papa-pepper. This time it was @powellx5! Events like this have a way of bringing people together anyway, but when steemians attend events like this, then we've even got more in common! Also in the area where @beardo, @jeejee, @hansjurgen and possibly others.
Whether they were steemians or not, a lot of interesting gardeners and homesteaders were in attendance today. There are so many great reasons to garden that I am glad to see so many people excited about it. I think last year over 10,000 came over to the festival, so who knows how many will be there this time.
Speaking of interesting gardeners, does anyone recognize John Kohler from the "Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens" YouTube channel? I certainly did. He came all the way over from Las Vegas for the event, and I hope that I get to spend a little more time with him when we return tomorrow. This guy loves sharing gardening knowledge and inspiring others, and with over 500,000 YouTube subscribers people obviously like what he's up to.
Many crafts and plants were for sale by a large variety of vendors, not to mention all of the amazing seeds that Baker Creek sells. I tried to cut back on purchases this time since I've got so many plants already to get into the ground, but @mama-pepper did enjoy picking up a few things. We we're sure if we were going to head back tomorrow, but there were so many incredible people there that we probably can't stay away. If you are in the Mansfield, MO area, you might want to come on out!
I have nothing left to prove...
Until next time…
FOR MORE PAPA-PEPPER CONTENT, CHECK ME OUT ON SOLA
I definitely watched a video of him crying. John Kolher.
He cares so much about gardening.
This is overwhelming going to a place like this and meet so many steemians.
Cool fact, they know you too.
Your impact is deep in steem world.
Keep on steemin'
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm trying to impact for the better, so thanks for all of the encouragement!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I like your hair @papa-pepper :)
Thats a green festival celebration, its awesome to have that day and saw those assorted plants from different booths.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah, I like my hair too, it grows on me....
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@papa-pepper Very nice to see how you enjoy this event, nature is happy when you are in it. I hope you have a lot of opportunity to repeat this event.
I like nature, will see next year I could be part of it. I like your hair.
Thanks for post steemian
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Just turn it into Steemit Gardening MeetUp
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
"War on food" via planting festival and providing non mutant seeds is good step in the right direction in combating hunger.
We have so many festivals down here in Nigeria . There is harvesting festivals, cultural festivals but I have never heard of planting festival and this would have helped in ameliorating the Hunger down here.
African don't just need planting festivals , we need investors in the area of research to provide seeds that have a short harvesting span with lots and lots of yields.
You are an icon on Steemit and very soon you will be going with some security like those actors and singers do 😂 and you have a lovely family sir.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
With that many steemians around, I don't think I'll need hired protection, LOL. Also, I think that sounds like a good idea to have investors sponsor some good, nutritious, fast growing food seeds!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hey within so many fans there might be a psych-fan 😂. Don't worry about hiring I can bodyguard you for free; no cash involved although it will cost you some up and comment and I eat alot so It cost you alot of food too.
You see I am the cheapest bodyguard steem can buy. Go ask around 😂
I protected president John f Kenedy but he was shot because his Upvotes percentage was short of the agreed amount. It's not my fault 😂
Just joking heheheh but think about it though 😂
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It was more like a mini steemit meetup than spring planting festival. You will get to meet more people when you head back since they now know where to find you. @papa-pepper, my Steem Super Star (SSS)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
There was a lot of steemians there! We're taking over I tell you!!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Mehn this festival is one of a kind.
What can I do to be there in the next festival?
I really love it @papa-pepper
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Haha! I remembered Chef Gordon Ramsay when you mentioned "war on food". Good post @papa-pepper!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow, such an awesome blog dear friend. Friend, I need your help to grow in the steemit community please help me dear friend.
Have a great day.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You have a great day and you meet a lot's of Steemit friends.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for sharing. Great to see as many people as possible growing their own healthy food, the more the better.
Now maybe time to get some laws changed to make it easier for people in suburbs and cities grow food...makes for a stronger community, and healthier.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
ooooo that smile in every selfie just like a bang!!
I never really though if advertising steemit this way.As the Papa you are, you taught me something new .I will get some logo stickers.
Wish our country too had festival like this.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
hopefully the event went well, they are so plasticity so familiar. lovely photo 😎
have a good day @papa-pepper :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Like festival. What festival about. This very good
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Seeds, gardening, food
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
this is really a great place, you can meet all the steemit friends here.
I am very happy to see a place like this.
is this where the important people who can visit it.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Amazing to see so many people wanting real seeds. I doubt that would happen in England. Also great to see so many Steemers out and about an meeting up. Can't wait for both scenarios to grow over here 💯🐒
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I need your help with my post sir!!!!
I will really appreciate your vote sir!!!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Oh my goodness! There ARE some real Americans on here! I was beginning to think I fell into some kind of third-world meetup. REAL SEEDS!!! Wish I wasn't so far (northern Maine.) I would have loved to have joined this particular Steemit gathering! (Only been here a couple weeks, but I doubt I'll ever meet a real Steemian in real life...seeing how we're so far out of the beaten path here.)
Never ceases to amaze me how powerful, and anti-people the big agras have become. Monsatan..I call that one...Conagra, ADM,...where is that Sherman Anti-Trust Law?? Making seeds that can't reproduce should be declared treasonous.
Hadn't heard of Baker Creek before. I have a 1/4 acre garden here in the far north, so I am always looking for real seeds!
You guys do any bass or catfish fishing down your way?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
We got lots of bass, even under the playground when Lake Bull Shoals fills up.
But how else can they make people that can't reproduce? (Don't answer that...)
As far as real seeds, I love Baker Creek - https://www.rareseeds.com/
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Ah thanks for the link...going to google map up "Lake Bull Shoals" here in a second...
LOL...what a great connection. We are what we eat, indeed!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Ah...not too far from cousin David who pastors a church over in Joplin, MO, I see. Sure looks like some serious bass fishing country, for sure! Awesome video too. Those are crappies though, aren't they? And why would they flood a playground...??
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Plans fell through to make it down there! Rats I could have met the one and only @papa-pepper!!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I do pass through Illinois rather often, should I drop by sometime?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
If you ever come near the Peoria region let me know!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I love seeing people use the bags. So awesome... I wish Baker's was closer to me. But thankfully they do have mail order.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
this is amazing, I didn't know a festival like this existed and I didn't know that there were so many Steemians, they could be all around me and I didn't know it but that's a great thing! kinda gives me hope for the country inspite of Big Food raising Frankencrops. very educational papa-pepper thank you I hope you go back again!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I love these sorts of country traffic jams. We get one around Millarville (Alberta, Canada) every weekend for the huge farmers market. In the summer you have to get there super early for the fun. I wish they did this there I think people would really enjoy it.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I will make it down there one of these days. I always look forward to their catalog in late winter. I can only imagine how beautiful their farmstead is in real life. It looks like you had an awesome time and met some great gardeners! That's even more reason for me to schedule the trip....
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow! Are you sure this is a Barker Creek Festival? It looks more like a Steemit meetup! I am really going to have to try to make it some year, but all the problems in Nicaragua right now, who knows when that may be...Have a great time. Take lots more photos, please!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great to see you again! Had a good time
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit