Harvick Farms: MAKING LOCAL FOODS AVAILABLE AND ATTAINABLE

“We are interrupting the price-point barriers that affect local food purchases. We are the only authorized vendor in Barry County that can accept SNAP, WIC, EBT, and Double-Up Food Bucks through the  Farmers Market Nutrition Program hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. These sales increase the income of the farmers vending in our store and access to local products,” Lainey describes.

“We want local farmers to sell their products locally and earn a living,” Lainey outlines. “We also want to make agriculture approachable and inspire others to grow their own food.”

Lainey and Joseph were surprised that their agriculture community had no direct market, so their store supports fellow farmers and supplies local consumers. 

“Some of our farmer vendors only have to travel 10 minutes from their farms to our store,” Lainey says. Harvick Farms stocks local produce, eggs, meat, milk, honey, spices and even mushrooms. Lainey knows each farmer vendor on a personal level, so marketing is authentic. 

Lainey continues, “The community’s response says we can’t grow fast enough. Fresher food lasts longer, so consumers can justify a higher cost to support locally grown foods. Getting fresher food into our community is about the bigger picture. The impact is more than economic; it’s about nutrition and health.”

Lainey is a remote RN for Mayo Clinic. Her healthcare career informs her interest in outreach, education, and research. Her vantage point offers a relevant perspective on local food systems. 

“Improving nutrition should be the first effort in health care. It is amazing how much better people can feel just with better nutrition,” Lainey shares. “Throughout my career I have witnessed that kids who are exposed to better nutrition between ages 7 and 9 are more likely to make healthier choices as adults. We believe in food as medicine. I have seen that good diet directly and positively affects when and if supplemental health care or medicines are really needed.” 

Lainey and Joseph are partners of University of Missouri Extension’s Missouri EATs program, working to improve local food systems in Barry, Lawrence and Dade Counties. They are involved in pilot research for prescription produce boxes distributed to Cox Health-Monett employees. 

The Harvicks’ 56-acre farm near Eagle Rock produces turmeric, ginger, basil, lavender, and lemongrass. They also grow elderberries. One high tunnel in is operation and three more are under construction. Their products are sold fresh and dried.

“We add value by blending herbal teas for respiratory improvement, general wellness, and more. They reduce waste from the growing season and are profitable in the off-season,” Lainey says. “We really enjoy growing food.”

While Lainey pours passion into education, Joseph is responsible for logistics like restaurant deliveries. Thankfully, their children Sam and Alex dig their role as farm kids, get dirty, and help with growing processes and equipment. Joseph’s dad also works on the farm regularly.