Farmers Market of the Ozarks

Farmers Market of the Ozarks is tied closely to Ozarks Public Radio through board member Seamus McKenzie’s KSMU affiliation, a detail that places the market inside a wider Springfield civic network rather than apart from it. In Springfield, the market operates inside the Farmers Park Pavilion at James River Expressway and Republic Road, with its mailing address at 2144 E Republic Rd. The market is open year-round, with Saturday hours shifting to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during winter and longer Saturday hours the rest of the year. That year-round pavilion setup gives the market a steadier rhythm than a short seasonal run.

Why it matters locally

Farmers Market of the Ozarks describes itself through the Ozarks region again and again, from references to local artisans and businesses to examples such as wine from Ozarks vineyards and moonshine from a Taney County distillery. The market also participates in food-access programs that matter beyond a single Saturday trip, including SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

Its organization is local in another practical sense: Jesse Stone serves as market manager, while the board includes Springfield-connected members such as Lisa Bakerink, Matt Blevins, Seamus McKenzie, Charlotte Wolf, Mike Chiles, and Rusty Worley. The market also works alongside groups including the Community Partnership of the Ozarks/Food Collaborative, MU Extension, and the Springfield Urban Ag Coalition.

What you'll find there

The market’s own materials emphasize programs and specialty offerings more than a static vendor roster, so what stands out here is the mix of regional products, nonprofit participation, and recurring event programming. Even the examples used to describe the market point toward Ozarks-made goods with a broad regional reach.

• -MU Extension appears as an organization that vends at the market.
• -Springfield Urban Ag Coalition is also listed as a market organization vendor.
• -Ozarks vineyards are cited as a source of wine sold as a specialty product example.
• -A Taney County distillery is mentioned as an example of specialty products through moonshine.

Special events are a visible part of the calendar, including Jitter Jam, Artsy Alley on the final Saturday of each month and holiday markets, Kid Vending 2026, FMO All Stars!!!, Green Thumb Gathering on the third Saturday of June through August, and Market Music and Runs.

Know before you go

No dogs is the clearest day-of-visit rule listed for this market, and that will change plans for anyone arriving with a pet. The Springfield market is located inside the Farmers Park Pavilion at James River Expressway and Republic Road, making it easier to find if you’re navigating by those roads rather than by market name alone. Jesse Stone is listed as market manager, with a posted phone number and email for market contact.

The market’s year-round pavilion has been in place since July 2013 inside the Farmers Park Development. Vendors who sample products are required to complete a food safety class through the Greene County Health Department, which signals a formal operating structure behind the market. The site also references a Good Dog Program and a Canine Good Citizen Program in its events and programs pages, but the stated visitor rule for the market is no dogs.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP is accepted at Farmers Market of the Ozarks, and the market also participates in Double Up Food Bucks, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Payment methods are identified clearly by the market, which makes this a practical stop for shoppers planning around nutrition benefits as well as standard purchases.