The Cassville community is growing, and in more ways than one.
This week, we have a story on the Barry County Community Garden, a project pushed by Cassville business Harvick Farms and with the help of the MU Extension and a host of volunteers and donors.
This is an opportunity for many in the area to do some literal growing, and at a minimal cost of only $25 for a plot for the season.
The Harvicks, Lainey and Joesph, are yet another husband-wife team who have left their previous homes to follow the American dream right here in Barry County.
Lainey was an ER nurse and Joseph was a police officer in Forth Worth, Texas, prior to their moving to Barry County. They gave up stressful, time-intensive jobs to make a better life for their children. That life includes a copious amount of blue sky, farming and gardening, which they found therapeutic while working their previous jobs.
Locals paying attention and patronizing new businesses will see the Harvicks are not the only newcomers to town.
Dan and Tammy Hamm, owners of Shadow Bluffs Retreat, came to Cassville by way of Bella Vista, Ark., and James and Shannon Beemer, owners of Zone 4 Mini Golf & More, moved to Shell Knob from Maryville in northwest Missouri.
Three couples with different dreams are making them happen in our neighborhoods — I find that incredibly awesome.
I can attest from experience, having moved to Barry County from Searcy, Ark., in 2014, it’s not always easy to move to a new place. It is a challenge to be an outsider among people who have grown up together in Barry County and whose parents grew up together in Barry County and whose grandparents grew up in Barry County — and I could go on.
Fortunately, having been here for 10 years and now married to a Barry County native (I joke with Jordan how she’s made me related to half the county), my anxiety of being dismissed as “not from here” has fallen by the wayside over time.
That process was different for me, as I spent my days engaging with all variety of residents and telling their stories, which I feel allowed me over time to become a part of the Barry County community.
I also can’t tell you how many school children know me as the “photo guy” around town. That visibility helps.
What impresses me most about the Harvicks, Hamms and Beemers is how quickly they are getting involved in the community — and improving it.
Along with the Barry County Community Garden, the Harvicks offer gardening and homesteading classes twice weekly, and they are intent on building community ties and using them to help Cassville progress.
For their efforts, the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce recognized them with the Business Beautification Award. I don’t think anyone can say what they have done with the previously dilapidated nursery isn’t short of astounding. Adding a fresh fruit and produce stand will make that Highway 76 corridor even better in the future.
The Hamms and Beemers are also innovating ways to bring the community together. Shadow Bluffs hosts a myriad of events at the Retreat, nearly all of which are open to the public. Zone 4 has built an amphitheater and hosted its first concert Saturday, with more events to come this summer.
These business owners have not only moved here and brought new life to certain areas of the county, but they are intent on bringing people together.
Through gardening, our beautiful Ozarks landscape and new event offerings, I’m excited to see our area grow, and I hope the yield continues to be fruitful.
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014. In 2017, he was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers, and in 2022, he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com.
