Gidcumb Farms

Photo by Christy Porter
Members of the hardworking Gidcumb family are, from left, Josh and Michelle Gidcumb, nephew, Isaiah Rienks, and sons, Jackson and Wyatt Gidcumb.

By Christy Porter, Managing Editor

Josh and Michelle Gidcumb established Gidcumb Farms in 2022, when Josh, a helicopter pilot, sold his helicopter spraying business and decided that he “has always liked growing stuff.” Three generations of the hardworking Gidcumb family work the land, producing fruit, vegetables and flowers, and they have eggs that are sold on site.

Sons Jackson and Wyatt are hands-on involved in most aspects of the business, and for the summer, cousin Isaiah Rienks, from Indiana, is helping on the farm.

Josh’s parents, David and Cathy, are also very involved with the business. Cathy makes their Dandelion and White Clover Strawberry Jelly.

Large acreage allows them to produce enough food products to make it available to others, including the general public, on site and at area Farmers Markets.

Photos by Christy Porter

At the Gidcumb Farm in Salem there is a self-serve shop, made with lumber from an old farm barn. The shop uses the trust system, and one may call for pre-order/pickup with orders available at the shop, where help is available if needed. The signage inviting one into the farm is also a beautiful flower display with green lettuce instead of weeds. Flowers are pick your own and pay by size of arrangement.

Michelle Gidcumb has a booth set up behind My Little Cupcake, in Licking, on Saturdays. Her mother, Theresa, with one of the grandsons might also be found on Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market at the Licking United Methodist Church. These locations, and also Rolla have done well.

On a larger scale, produce is sold wholesale to area and regional restaurants and food establishments in Lebanon, Springfield, West Plains, Rolla and Cabool.

The locally owned and operated farm in Salem produces, in season, onions, strawberries, cucumbers, potatoes, snow peas, 15 varieties of tomatoes, Pattypan squash, zucchini, peppers, jalapenos, kale, Swiss chard, lettuce, pumpkins, spaghetti and yellow squash, okra, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew and rhubarb. Some vegetables can be purchased by the box and are sold at a discount; green beans can be purchased by the bushel.

A farm outside of Licking has 20 acres each of sweet corn and green beans that have been grown now for a second year. A variety of flowers including zinnias, marigolds, cosmos and sunflowers are grown between the Licking and Salem locations.

In preparation for a rotation of spring through fall crops, seedlings (except for the onion, sweet potatoes and strawberries plugs) were started in a 12 x 24 foot greenhouse. This relatively small greenhouse held thousands of seedlings. It also allowed for an earlier planting season; this year potatoes went in the ground February 25, and onions on March 5.

Photos submitted

The Gidcumb Farms has a unique gardening method using a plastic sheeting that provides weed, heat and moisture control. They now use 70 percent less water to maintain plant growth and health. A tractor attachment creates the berms or mounds, and lays a plastic sheeting with slits for the plants; a double-seater attachment then allows the plants to be planted quickly and efficiently. This accommodates the large quantity supply desired by the Gidcumbs.

Gidcumb Farms is located at 486 County Road 3220, Salem, MO 65560 and you may find product availability updates on Facebook: Gidcumb Farms.