News Releases

Jefferson Farm & Gardens Plants Native Meadow At Winter Solstice
Dec. 18, 2006
Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute

By Jennifer Lindsay Smith
jsmith@jeffersoninstitute.org

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Dec. 18, 2006) – As winter solstice approaches, the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute will seed a one-half acre wildflower meadow at its new educational farm, Jefferson Farm & Gardens. Few Missourians would think of the holiday season as a time to plant seeds. Yet early winter is ideal for our native Missouri wildflowers; the seeds will work their way into the soil with the freezing and thawing action of the remaining winter months. Many native seeds also require chilly temperatures to break dormancy.

The Jefferson Institute is creating a meadow to showcase native Missouri wildflowers, with an emphasis on flora found within a two-hour driving radius of its educational farm. Once established, the meadow will bloom from May to November, providing a beautiful backdrop to the educational farm’s children’s garden and visitors’ center.

Jefferson Institute staff will seed the meadow on Dec. 19 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Jefferson Farm & Gardens. The farm is located at 4800 New Haven Road, one mile east of U.S. Highway 63.

The Jefferson Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Missouri that conducts agricultural education and research projects.