Contact: Sara Diedrich diedrichs@missouri.edu
April 1, 2026
Photo by Abbie Lankitus
The only thing Kenny Henk enjoys more than gardening is sharing the fruits of his labor.
As greenhouse manager of the University of Missouri Horticulture Club, he’s doing just that as he and his fellow club members bring their homegrown plants to the Mizzou Farmers Market.
Organized by Campus Dining Services, this spring’s event will feature 11 vendors offering everything from fresh produce to specialty items such as homemade jams, honey ice cream and macaroons. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at Stotler Lounge in the Memorial Student Union.
Campus Dining, which has hosted the event nearly every fall and spring since 2023, is strengthening ties with the local community by opening the market to the public while keeping Mizzou students front and center. Its cash-free model, which accepts dining plans, Tiger Cash, Gold Cash, and credit and debit cards, makes shopping local on campus seamless.
The event also gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences, Johnna Martin, executive chef with Mizzou’s Campus Dining Services, said.
“We treat student organizations just like our vendors,” Martin said. “They get to table at the market, interact with students as they shop and showcase what they do.”
Students in the Mizzou Dietetics Program at the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will be stationed with Ole Tyme Produce to provide nutrition tips about fruits and vegetables. Sustain Mizzou students will be available to answer questions and share resources.
Campus Dining is also going the extra mile to make sure students are able to use what they purchase. Staff will be on hand to cut and package produce and will offer convenient kits containing ingredients needed to make favorites such as guacamole.
Among local vendors will be Mizzou alumni, including Conner Ashton, BSBA ’23, and his wife, Kate Ashton, BSAcc, MAcc ’24, who recently purchased Ollie B’s Honey Ice Cream. They will offer 4-ounce containers of some of their favorite flavors.
“We are excited to be a part of the Mizzou Farmers Market,” Conner Ashton said. “We use locally sourced honey to make our honey ice cream two or three times a week. Now that it’s getting warmer, business is picking up. We’re excited for what’s ahead and looking forward to being on campus soon.”
Henk is also excited to share his love of gardening — and maybe recruit a few new club members ready to dig in and get their hands dirty.
“I think knowing how to garden is really valuable knowledge to have,” he said. “Being able to grow your own food and things that make you happy such as flowers and herbs is a skill worth having. The campus farmers market is a great event, and it’s an honor to be part of it.”
