Jefferson Farm and Gardens     Jefferson Farm & Gardens has a variety of animals and attractions.  Jefferson Farm and Gardens is fun for the whole family!  The Farm is a great place to view mid-missouri crops and wild plants.


In addition to the children's garden, we will have demonstration gardens with many plant species to explore.

Jefferson Garden

This 700-foot terraced garden will reflect Thomas Jefferson's personal garden at Monticello (pictured above), where he grew and evaluated many types of vegetables and specialty crops, including grains. In our garden, we will demonstrate about 200 varieties of different horticultural and specialty field crops. Signs will provide information about each crop. We also plan to build a replica of the garden pavilion that Jefferson designed as a space for contemplation next to his garden.

Did you know that peas were one of Jefferson’s favorite vegetables?

These ears of corn are a great exaple of genetic diversity to be exibited at Jefferson Gardens
Harry C. Minor Genetic Diversity Garden

This area will illustrate the genetic diversity that occurs within a crop species and the role of plant breeding. We will plant multiple varieties of several crops, demonstrating the natural variance that occurs within the same plant species. For example, we will plant about 20 different varieties (types) of corn, sunflowers and other selected crops to show the wide range of diversity that occurs and can be utilized by plant breeders in developing improved crops.

The Crop Diversity Garden is named after Dr. Harry C. Minor, whose family made a memorial gift in recognition of his long career of work in the improvement of crops.  Dr. Minor was a university researcher and extension educator who tested and evaluated many genetically diverse varieties of crops, providing valuable information to farmers 
about the best kinds of crops to grow and the top performing varieties to use.  He spent his professional career as faculty member at the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri, as well as working with U.S. AID, the U.N. and international agricultural 
organizations to improve agricultural practices in the U.S., South  America, Africa and Asia.

 

Grapes are a perfect example of crops found in the fruit and vine portion of the gardens.
Fruit and vine crops

We plan to establish a small demonstration area for fruit crops and vine crops, including examples of orchard trees. The focus will primarily be on those fruit and vine crops that have good growing potential for this region. This includes: apples, pears, cherries, peaches, nectarines, grapes, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

 

 

Purple Cone Flower is a plant featured in Jefferson Gardens Native Areas.

Dogwood trees are native to Missouri and the state tree!

Native Areas

Four main locations around the farm will be dedicated to plantings of plants native to Missouri. These areas will include:

Prairie grass area Our native prairie grasses have a number of uses, including pasture for animals. This area will feature a number of Missouri’s grasses native to the prairie. You will be impressed by the beauty of the grasses as they turn color in the fall.

Wildflower meadow This area will showcase Missouri’s native wildflowers on a one-half acre plot. As visitors traipse through the meadow on a winding path, they will notice the wildflowers make up a wide palette of colors.

Native tree grove We are expanding an existing grove of mature oaks, walnuts and hickories to include representatives of every tree species native to Missouri. All trees will be labeled for identification.

WetlandWe are planning to construct a small demonstration wetland that will illustrate the role of wetland plants in filtering nutrient runoff from fields and pastures.

 

Example of an ornamental garden.

Ornamental Gardens

Our ornamental gardens will inspire and inform you as you plan your home’s landscaping. These gardens will celebrate plant diversity by mixing and matching plants, typically in naturalized groupings. They will also be a great place to sit and reflect.

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