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It feels more like Monsoon season in Kansas these days, but I am looking forward to spending some time with friends this weekend at the <a href=”http://streetsofbakersville.com/2009/may/” target=”_blank”>9th Annual Spring Planting Festival</a> at the <a href=”http://rareseeds.com/” target=”_blank”>Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company’s</a> farm and <a href=”http://streetsofbakersville.com/” target=”_blank”>Bakersville</a>, the company’s replica pioneer town located near Mansfield, Missouri. All of this is happening on Sunday May 3 and Monday May 4 from 10 AM to 7 PM (both days).</span>
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<span class=”h2″>Proprietor and festival founder, Jere Gettle expects that more than 6000 visitors will have the opportunity to visit with at least 100 vendors, listen to the music and humor of more than 60 performers, and have the opportunity to hear a number of gardening personalities speak at this year’s Spring Planting Festival. The lineup of presenters is impressive and includes GRIT editor in chief, KC Compton.</span>
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<span class=”h2″>I have been asked to give a presentation on the Oscar H. Will Co. seed and nursery business, which was started by my great grandfather in 1881. I will admit to having an emotional few days of plowing through old family history to put that talk together. But I am proud that my ancestors made a lasting contribution to agriculture and gardening. I am living proof that growing things must be a genetic trait, because I feel compelled to garden every year.</span>
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<p class=”articlecontent”>You can find your way to the 9<sup>th</sup> Annual Spring Planting Festival by pointing your vehicle to Mansfield, Missouri and following the signs to Bakersville. The company offers free tent and RV camping; no need to register. There are also hotels in the local area. Food will be available at the festival. Admission: $5.00 per person, pay at the event. Children 16 and under are free.</p>
<p class=”articlecontent”>I hope to see you there.</p>
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<a href=”http://www.grit.com/biographies/oscar-h-will” target=_self>Hank Will</a>
<em> raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on </em>
<a title=Google+ href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/117459637128204205101/posts” target=_blank rel=author>Google+</a>.</p>
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<span class=”h2″>I have been asked to give a presentation on the Oscar H. Will Co. seed and nursery business, which was started by my great grandfather in 1881. I will admit to having an emotional few days of plowing through old family history to put that talk together. But I am proud that my ancestors made a lasting contribution to agriculture and gardening. I am living proof that growing things must be a genetic trait, because I feel compelled to garden every year.</span>
</p>
<p class=”articlecontent”>
</p>
<p class=”articlecontent”>You can find your way to the 9<sup>th</sup> Annual Spring Planting Festival by pointing your vehicle to Mansfield, Missouri and following the signs to Bakersville. The company offers free tent and RV camping; no need to register. There are also hotels in the local area. Food will be available at the festival. Admission: $5.00 per person, pay at the event. Children 16 and under are free.</p>
<p class=”articlecontent”>I hope to see you there.</p>
<p>
<hr />
</p>
<p>
<a href=”http://www.grit.com/biographies/oscar-h-will” target=_self>Hank Will</a>
<em> raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on </em>
<a title=Google+ href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/117459637128204205101/posts” target=_blank rel=author>Google+</a>.</p>
