Multimedia Reporting (Kuhr-Musser)

The March 12th microburst that struck Lawrence toppled both 60-foot silos and damaged nearly every building at Pendleton's Country Market, but Karen and John Pendleton were able to patch their farm in time for the spring harvest. Now they must decide whether to rebuild or leave farming, Mrs. Pendleton said.

“It is an opportunity to change directions,” she said. “We need to decide if we want to repair or not. And if not, then what?”

Mrs. Pendleton said the couple will make their decision by the end of May. The decision will not be easy.

After WWII, John's father, Albert, first started farming on the plot of land that is now Pendleton's Country Market. Albert's operation was much different from the Pendleton's of today. He raised mostly corn, wheat and soy beans, as well as about 500 head of cattle per year.

John and Karen took over the business about 25 years ago. They diversified the family farm by planting asparagus, lettuce, flowers, pumpkins and various flower species in addition to 450 acres of corn and soy beans. They employ about 20 part-time workers who, among other tasks, hand-pick the farm's 20 acres of asparagus. Pendleton's also allows people to pick their own produce.

“Normally I come out here with my son,” said Tiffany Saturday, Lawrence. “They don't use pesticides on their plants, and I love the texture of the spinach.”

Several Lawrence and Kansas City restaurants, including Free State Brewery and Pachamama's, purchase produce from Pendleton's. But despite the farm's location three miles east of Lawrence, Mrs. Pendleton estimates 75 percent of business comes from Johnson County. She said Pendleton's isn't as much of a novelty to Lawrence residents.

“Lawrence is not our biggest customer base. I wish it were, but I understand it,” Mrs. Pendleton said. Mr. Pendleton added, “Olathe people look at Lawrence as the day trip. We'll take those Johnson County tax dollars.”

Mrs. Pendleton estimates the business grosses about $200,000 per year. They do not employ migrant labor, so employee wages are a significant expense for the Pendletons. Mrs. Pendleton estimates 50 percent of the business' costs are employee wages, as compared to a typical expense of 30 percent.

Pendleton's is one of more than 60 area farms that offer everything from locally made wine to locally grown chickens. Mrs. Pendleton said there is a lot of cooperation between the local farms, and even area retailers.

“We care about each other and we respect each other,” she said. “This is something you don't find everywhere.”

Jeanie Wells, general manager of the Lawrence Community Mercantile, agreed with the amount of cooperation in the local farming and food retail industry.

“We absolutely view [Pendleton's] as local producers who work hard to bring great local food to people in our community,” Wells said. “They do sell directly to our community, so I suppose they are competing with us, but, honestly, we have always had a great, supportive relationship with them.”

So supportive, in fact, that the Community Mercantile is organizing a day for their staff to help the Pendleton's with any storm-related clean-up that still needs to be done.

The Community Mercantile isn't the only area business to offer help. Pendleton said more than 300 people helped clean-up after the storm. Reed Dillon sent a crew to help clean, and the owners of Henry's Plant Farm arrived an hour after the storm to repair damaged greenhouses.

“They just showed up and began working without even asking,” Mr. Pendleton said.

There are a lot of repairs left to do. With the volunteers' help, the Pendleton's built temporary greenhouses and reinforced a sagging wall on the farm's main store building. The building – a converted machine shop – has no modern amenities. There is no bathroom, no running water and dust from a nearby county road coats the shop's interior overnight. Mr. Pendleton said they would renovate the shop if they decide to stay.

Mrs. Pendleton mentions many reasons why she and her husband might continue farming. The Pendleton's children grew up on the farm, but Mrs. Pendleton isn't sure the children want to be career farmers. Two of the Pendleton's children are in college, and the youngest is in high school. Farming allows John and Karen to work together everyday, but if the Pendletons want to make a change, now would be the time, Mrs. Pendleton said.

“It is not something we want to get out of. We enjoy it,” she said. “But this isn't the most profitable business by any means. I got my degree in journalism, public relations. I could always do that. We are lucky because John's father was a first generation farmer. This is not a century farm, like we can't forsake our forefathers.”

More Information: Lawrence Journal-World article about storm damage at Pendleton's Country Market