Cassville's Harvick Farms Transforms into Community Food Hub

Garden center shifts focus to supporting local producers and increasing food access

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:24pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print in neon colors depicting multiple images of a fresh vegetable, fruit, or baked good repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the diverse array of locally-sourced food products available at the Harvick Farms community food hub.Harvick Farms' transformation into a community food hub brings a vibrant, pop art energy to the local agricultural economy.Cassville Today

Harvick Farms, a former garden center in Cassville, Missouri, is transitioning its business model to become a community food hub. The farm will now host a weekend indoor farmers market where local producers can sell their goods directly to residents, including fresh produce, eggs, milk, meat, and more. The Harvicks have also installed raised garden beds and a commercial kitchen to support local food production and value-added processing.

Why it matters

This shift at Harvick Farms represents a growing trend of small farms and food businesses pivoting to better serve their local communities. By creating a centralized marketplace for multiple producers, Harvick Farms is increasing food access and supporting the regional agricultural economy. The commercial kitchen and educational programming also provide valuable resources for small-scale farmers and food entrepreneurs.

The details

Under the new model, Harvick Farms will host a weekend indoor farmers market featuring up to 40 local vendors selling fresh produce, dairy, meat, baked goods, and other agricultural products. The farm has also installed raised garden beds and is working with the USDA to build a high tunnel greenhouse to grow specialty crops. Additionally, Harvick Farms is converting an outbuilding into a commercial kitchen that local producers can rent to create value-added products. The farm will continue to sell some bedding plants and host educational classes on topics like gardening, cooking, and self-sufficiency.

  • Harvick Farms will ramp up its new food hub model in mid-May 2026.
  • The farm's first monthly 'Baker's Exchange' event is scheduled for April 18, 2026.
  • Harvick Farms' annual Spring Festival is set for May 9, 2026.

The players

Lainey Harvick

Co-owner of Harvick Farms who is leading the transition to a community food hub model.

Joseph Harvick

Co-owner of Harvick Farms who contributes to the farm's baking operations.

Carlton Harvick

Joseph Harvick's father, who also helps with baking at Harvick Farms.

Sam and Alex Harvick

The Harvicks' sons who help operate the family farm.

Roaring River Adventures

The concessionaire for Roaring River State Park, partnering with Harvick Farms to sell locally-sourced lunches.

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What they’re saying

“It's a win-win situation for producers and for the entire community. We're a farming community, so there's no reason that people in this area should go hungry or shouldn't have access to quality food.”

— Lainey Harvick, Co-owner, Harvick Farms

“Food production will become our main focus this year.”

— Lainey Harvick, Co-owner, Harvick Farms

“Teas are my thing," noting that she uses her own dried herbs to create blends sold under the Harvick Farms label.”

— Lainey Harvick, Co-owner, Harvick Farms

What’s next

Harvick Farms will continue to expand its network of local producers and finalize plans for the new commercial kitchen space in the coming months.

The takeaway

Harvick Farms' transformation into a community food hub demonstrates how small farms and businesses can adapt to better serve local needs. By creating a centralized marketplace for multiple producers and providing value-added processing resources, Harvick Farms is increasing food access, supporting the regional agricultural economy, and fostering a stronger sense of community around locally-sourced food.