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Baker Creek Seed Company Is Host To Missouri’s First Family

Baker Creek Gov with GettlesMANSFIELD, Mo. – Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Mansfield, Mo., was pleased to host a visit from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon on Memorial Day, May 26.

Jere Gettle and the Baker Creek management team enjoyed the opportunity to give a personal tour of the seed company, gardens and business operations. The Nixons appeared to be delighted to be guests at this international business located in the rural Ozarks community.

First Lady Georganne has been an avid gardener for many years and enjoys studying seed catalogs. She appeared to be quite familiar with the Baker Creek seed catalog from cover to cover, has read and subscribes to the Baker Creek publications. She enjoyed discussing gardening with Baker Creek owners Jere and Emilee Gettle and the Baker Creek staff. She expressed her concerns about current trends with modern food production.

The Governor himself expressed an interest in many projects around the Baker Creek farm and asked multiple questions about the operation of the business. He also updated the Gettles about the different related projects with which he is involved, including a new orchard that has been planted at the State House.

In response to Nixon’s questions, Gettle used the opportunity to express concerns with the control big ag companies have over the American food supply. He especially expressed concerns about lawsuits Monsanto and other big agricultural organizations wage against small farms that are contaminated by GMO and patented products. Not only are these small farmers losing income when their crops are contaminated, but they have the additional expense of defending themselves in court.

The Gettles and Baker Creek staff were pleased to host the Nixons for lunch in the vegan restaurant located on the Baker Creek campus. They were delighted that the Governor’s wife encouraged him to drink the “green drink” made from the vegetable greens grown in the Baker Creek gardens.

Gettle said that he and his staff were honored to host the Governor and First Lady, and he was impressed with Governor Nixon’s work and interest in improving tourism and economic situations in the state.