Let’s hear it for our newest member of the month: Kris Rosson! She’s the executive director of the Tulsa Farmers’ Market by day, and your go-to source for classic rock trivia and craft beer recommendations by night. When she’s not orchestrating produce perfection, she’s wrangling two kids, swapping book recommendations, and savoring coffee with the dedication of a barista on a caffeine high. A valued coworking space maven, she’s the type of friend who’ll challenge your brain, entertain your taste buds, and keep your coffee cup perpetually full.
The Tulsa Farmers’ Market (TFM) first opened as the Cherry Street Farmers’ Market in April of 1998 in the Jason’s Deli parking lot at 15th & South Peoria. Tulsa was hungry for fresh, local, and nutritious foods and the Green Country farming community was ready to meet that need. The Tulsa Farmers’ Market is a true Oklahoma Grown market, meaning all agricultural products must be grown or raised in Oklahoma. It is also a 100% producer market, requiring all agricultural products to be grown or raised by the farmer/vendor selling at the market, and the vast majority of TFM vendors are producers. There is absolutely no buying and reselling permitted at TFM- this eliminates the middleman ensuring that the products offered are fresh, local, and sustainable. The Tulsa Farmers’ Market operates year-round and therefore provides producers an opportunity to connect with loyal customers no matter the season!
What do you do? Tell us a little bit about your work.
I have been with the Tulsa Farmers’ Market (TFM) for 9 years and currently serve as executive director. The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit and my responsibilities range from agricultural advocacy, fundraising, and event execution to managing the needs of our many stakeholders. The work we do at TFM is extremely passion driven and we have a dynamic community that fuels our efforts of strengthening our local food system. It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of the Tulsa Farmers’ Market!
What’s your go-to drink order at Foolish Things?
I have always been a black coffee drinker, but I gotta say I LOVE the new bottled Vanilla Oat Milk Lattes!
What are your two favorite spots in Tulsa?
The Tulsa Farmers’ Market, of course! But I also love hiking with my family in Mohawk Park, having a beer at Heirloom Rustic Ales, and dinner at La Tertulia.
What was your first big splurge?
Travel. I spent the first 5 years out of high school traveling and I spent every dime doing it. No regrets.
What was your first car? Did you name it?
Truthfully, I cannot remember the make or model of my first two cars, lol. I am not a car person!
What does a perfect day off look like for you?
A perfect day off could include starting the day with a hot cup of coffee on a cool morning beside a fire somewhere in the middle of nowhere followed by hiking, canoeing, and general adventuring. However, any day off just hanging out with my husband and kids is perfect enough!
When you started out, what did you think your job would be at this point in time?
Honestly, I had no expectations of where I’d be or what I’d be doing other than I wanted to make things better than they were and I wanted to be doing something that I was passionate about and interested in.
If you could learn any skill, what would it be?
I want to learn them all! I am always looking to add new skills to my repertoire and I am currently learning how to professionally face paint. I have an insatiable interest in learning new things!
What made you decide to cowork instead of work from home?
My kids are too rowdy! I wasn’t able to focus at home with them, so now I come to The Root so Stephanie and Alan can distract me.
What do you think is the best part about being a member of The Root Coworking?
I thoroughly enjoy the environment at The Root and I have loved getting to know the other members. We have an incredibly fun group of talented folks here who make coming to work interesting and enriching. The banter and laughter break up the work day in the best possible way!
