News Releases

A New Educational Farm Takes Root in Columbia
Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute
Nov. 14, 2006

By Jennifer Lindsay Smith
jsmith@jeffersoninstitute.org

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Nov. 14, 2006) – Initial grounds development has been completed for a new educational farm on the southeast edge of Columbia at 4800 New Haven Road. The first phase of development began earlier this year after the University of Missouri Board of Curators approved a 50-year lease of 67 acres to the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute. The Jefferson Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Missouri that conducts agricultural education and research projects.

The new facility, called Jefferson Farm & Gardens, is expected to be one of the nation's premier educational facilities of its type when it opens to the public in 2008. It will provide a year-round learning opportunity to explore contemporary Midwest farming and gardening practices. The farm will have many components, including: a visitor’s center with an exhibit hall and classrooms, children’s garden, and walking trails through the gardens and around a 9-acre lake. Visitors will be able to tour a wide variety of crop fields and gardens, including a fruit orchard, vegetable garden, and demonstrations of blueberries, grapes, raspberries, and other fruit crops. Common Missouri farm animals will also be featured in the children's barnyard area and adjacent pastures.

Initial federal funding of $500,000 for the facility was secured by Senator Kit Bond. Additional funding has been obtained from government grants and private sources, including individuals and companies such as Pioneer Hi-Bred. Rob Myers, executive director of the Jefferson Institute, said, "We have raised and invested about $1.2 million in the facility to date, but are working to raise the remainder of the projected $3.2 million cost of the facility, including cost of the visitors' center, children's barnyard and other attractions." Myers added, "We think this new public education facility is going to be a great asset to the community and mid-Missouri, complementing other museums and attractions in the area. Over 30,000 visitors a year are expected to visit the farm, including an estimated 10,000 school children on educational field trips."