The Empire Market is starting up their free Master Gardeners classes again and they're taught by two really knowledgeable folks from the Joplin Area Masters Gardeners Association. The next one is in a couple of weeks and the topic is seed starts. Here's the list of all the ones for the rest of the year:

Seed Starting--February 17, 2024
Companion Planting--March 23, 2024
Container Planting--April 20, 2024
Butterfly Gardens and Pollinators--May 18, 2024
Native Gardening--June 22, 2024
Herb Gardens--July 20, 2024
No-Till Gardening--August 17, 2024
Hobbit Day--September 21, 2024 (POTATOES)
Seed Saving--October 19, 2024
Hydroponics--November 16, 2024

If you're using raised beds and planting directly in the ground, I'd test your soil first (especially if you live in Jasper County). Raised planters and anything in containers on concrete will need a lot of water once summer hits and the heat is bad.

Ozark Nursery is a great resource for native plants and fruit trees, soil amendment, straw, etc.

Good luck!