Don't miss the Baker Creek Seeds Heirloom Garden Show

The ninth annual Heirloom Garden Show will take place at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Sunday and Monday, Aug. 3-4, at the Gettles' historic farm near Mansfield.

Baker Creek Seed Company was founded by Jere Gettle back in the late Nineties when he was 17. It has grown into company with customers around the world, and Gettle has become a widely quoted authority on heirloom varieties of vegetables and fruits.

Here's a list of the speakers from the Baker Creek website:

Barbara Berst Adams is a well-respected garden writer (including contributions to our own Heirloom Gardener magazine), farm owner and author of the very popular Micro Eco-Farming, as well as her new book The New Agritourism: Hosting Community and Tourists on Your Farm. Barbara will be sharing her expertise about Micro Eco-Farming and Agritourism. Visit www.microecofarming.com.
Jim Veteto is the coordinator of the Southern Seed Legacy project, and is currently working on his PhD in Environmental Anthropology at The University of Georgia. He is an avid organic farmer, seed saver, writer, and holds a Masters Degree in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University. Jim will share information about the Southern Seed Legacy conservation project, as well as some of his considerable knowledge about sustainable farming. www.uga.edu/ebl/ssl
Janet Bachmann is the owner of Riverbend Gardens, with 14 years of experience in marketing cut flowers, and a long-time vendor at the Fayetteville, Arkansas Farmers' Market. Janet will speak about growing field-grown cut flowers, and share successful strategies for marketing.
Merlyn Neidens --Heirloom seed grower and seed-saving expert who has developed some of the superb market varieties that we carry. He also writes articles for "The Heirloom Gardener". Always one of our most popular speakers. Presentations include 'Growing Great Garlic' and 'Growing Great Seed'.

The festival will include an heirloom produce contest with no cost to exhibit but a chance to win gift certificates in these divisions:

Come see many varieties of heirloom vegetables. This year we will again have the popular Heirloom Produce contests, and there is no cost to exhibit. Please bring any produce you have! We provide free display tables!
BRING YOUR BIGGEST!
$100 Gift Certificate for largest tomato
$50 Gift Certificate for 2nd largest tomato
BRING PRODUCE DISPLAYS!
$75 Gift Certificate for best display
$50 Gift Certificate for 2nd best display
$25 Gift Certificate for 3rd best display
BRING YOUR BEST!
$25 Gift Certificate for best tasting tomato
$25 Gift Certificate for best tasting melon
Costume Contest each day!
$50 Gift Certificate to best period dressed
$25 Gift Certificate to 2nd best dressed
We offer prizes in other categories too, so bring your harvest. All entries must be fresh (not frozen) and must be entered by 1 pm, Sunday.

And don't forget the music. Wayne Horseburge, Australia's "Country Performer of the Year," will be back again singing the kind of country music you don't hardly hear around here any longer.

We were happy to have our friend Wayne as a performer again at the "Heirloom Garden Show". Wayne has an amazing voice and 1950's country-western style that makes him very popular when he performs internationally at major events in the USA, Australia and the United Kingdom. This yodeling country singer has released 19 albums. He has been a favorite of ours at "Baker Creek" ever since we discovered him a couple years ago.

There will also be an Heirloom Music Contest Sunday.

Our festival has become a premier event for historic culture and music. You're going to love the Western, Folk, Country, Gospel, Americana, Irish, and Bluegrass music. At this festival the music abounds everywhere. Enjoy some of Branson, Missouri's finest talent, and you are invited to bring your traditional instruments and join the fun!

Best Music Act-$300 Cash Prize!
2nd Best Act-$100 Gift Certificate
Bring your voice and or instrument for this contest! (Some rules apply)

The annual Heirloom Garden Show will be held at the farm near Mansfield. The farm is 45 miles east of Springfield, Missouri. From Springfield, take Highway 60 east to Mansfield, and then at the 2nd exit turn north on Hwy 5. Go 1-1/2 miles and follow signs.

We offer free tent and RV camping; no need to register. There are also hotels in the local area. Some food is available at the festival.
Admission: $2.00 per person, pay at the event. Children 14 and under are free.