Overland Park’s farmers market was voted best in the U.S. Meet the people who make it so great

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"Although the Overland Park Farmers Market — which runs Saturdays from mid-April to December — has been established for the past 40 years, this is its first year competing in the annual contest, which drew more than 7,000 competitors.
More than 7,000 farmers’ markets across the United States competed for the title of “America’s Favorite Market” — but voters ultimately picked Overland Park’s community of vendors and entrepreneurs as the cream of the crop.

“The Overland Park Farmers’ Market is the heart of this vibrant and diverse neighborhood where all are welcome,” said Kristina Stanley, the recreation supervisor for the City of Overland Park, Kansas. “We’ve become a destination spot that offers unique experiences and a hot spot for people to live, work and play. Many of Kansas City’s top chefs shop at this market to aid in the creation of seasonal dishes throughout the KC metropolitan area.”

Sur Mu Na and her family are among dozens of vendors at the downtown Overland Park market — selling there since 2014. She and her family grew up in Myanmar (formerly Burma) but moved to a refugee camp in Thailand to flee from a war, recalled Na’s son, Pasaw — who translated for his mother. Their native language is Karen.

“We then moved all the way to California and then Kansas to be closer to family,” Pasaw said.

Na learned how to farm through the New Roots for Refugees program. Her farm, Mo Mo Ru Tha, now harvests goods ranging from flower bouquets to sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.

“It’s a really good community here,” Pasaw said of the farmers’ market. “Sometimes we will trade our vegetables for honey with the other vendors. Everyone is very friendly.”...

Some of these farmer's markets are really excellent. There's one out in Western VA with a lot of Amish produce and baked goods for sale

Excellent share shipmate PO1 William "Chip" Nagel , our farmers market had it's last day of sales yesterday, always a lot of great produce from the local farmers, and a few people selling knick knacks too.