Farmers Market of the Ozarks operates a vibrant farmers market that contributes to the success of local food growers and producers, strengthens the local food economy and serves as a community gathering place for the Ozarks region in Springfield and Branson.
Our Story:
2012
Farmers Market of the Ozarks is founded and plans to host more than 100 vendors from across the Ozarks gathering to sell their handmade, raised, grown and harvested products to the local community. The market is founded as a 501c3 / Non profit and is board governed. Green Circle Projects serves as the original supporting and founding partner organization at Farmers Park providing initial business support. FMO starts with a humble foundation of pop-up tents outside a health food store!
2013
- Opening to a crowd of over 10,000 in July 2013, the market has become the largest farmers market in the Ozarks, boosting over 100 vendors from around the Ozarks. Customers can shop for their weekly groceries, find unique gifts that are made from local artisans, enjoy musical talents of local artists and enjoy breakfast and lunch, all within the market’s laid back atmosphere.
- FMO enjoys settling onto their permanent location this year, though the location is under construction this year, and FMO is in precarious circus tents in a gravel pit... exciting!
- Named #15 "Best Farmers Market in the Country"
2014
- Named #15 "Best Farmers Market in the Country"
- Farmers Park, the development surrounding FMO, and we get a real roof and bathrooms!
- Green Circle Projects - Award of Excellence for Small Business and Industry (up to 200 employees)
- Green Circle Projects is a project management company owned and operated by Matt O’Reilly — a Springfield native. The company is actively engaged in promoting sustainable development in Springfield.
2015
- Named the #6 Farmers Market in the country by Food52.com and msn.com
- Voted "Best Farmers Market" by Feast Magazine
- Branson Market Opens on the Branson Landing
2017
FMO is named #17 of the 101 Best Farmers Markets in America
2020
A Moment to Expand- a time of innovation and re-invention!
Now, more than ever, people are interested in local harvests and timelines for healthy and locally available options, following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Capitalizing on this heightened awareness, we sought to give attention to local growing seasons and available foods, as well as how to enjoy these crops. FMO was quick to become a drive through market during the quarantine and is now considered an “essential” business offering. It is hoped that by next year we will be able to go back to our normal market, but regardless, this promotion of being focused online and with market handouts and in media would be beneficial either way and ensure that proper attention is given to specialty crops.
Now, more than ever, people are interested in local harvests and timelines for healthy and locally available options, following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Capitalizing on this heightened awareness, we sought to give attention to local growing seasons and available foods, as well as how to enjoy these crops. FMO was quick to become a drive through market during the quarantine and is now considered an “essential” business offering. It is hoped that by next year we will be able to go back to our normal market, but regardless, this promotion of being focused online and with market handouts and in media would be beneficial either way and ensure that proper attention is given to specialty crops.
2021
Artsy Alley series is introduced, providing a home and local support for our local artisan's booths to get stocked up on all things handmade items.
2022
Farmers Market of the Ozarks, with Hope's Garden, are awarded the Urban Agriculture and Innovation Program (UAIP) grant. Hope’s Garden is a proposed 3-acre commercial hydroponic greenhouse, which will use waste heat from a data center to warm the greenhouse. Located in the Missouri Ozarks, this will demonstrate that greenhouses can grow fresh local produce at scale while minimizing costly and carbon polluting natural gas heating.
2023
Our yearly events are on the grow! With a switch in management in 2019, FMO began building and implementing predictable yearly events (a coffee event, a lit fest, a pie eating contest, etc...). By 2023, these have accrued a large and growing audience, and have come to even further solidify FMO as a hub for community events, and a great place for local vendors to make their living!
