Every single day in America, agriculture touches people’s lives. Farmers produce the food and products for clothing, medicines, dyes, cosmetics and many other everyday items that allow our society to function. Yet when you go to the grocery store, how often do you think about how the food you are buying got there in the first place?
At Jefferson Farm & Gardens, we will offer a place to explore the world of farming and gardening in a way that is informative, enjoyable and relevant to people's lives. The first stop will be the visitors’ center.
Exhibits
On the main level of the building, a large exhibit hall will showcase several museum-quality exhibits.
Exhibit topics will include:
- Crops and their uses
- The role of plant breeding and genetics in agriculture
- Conservation practices
- Integration of crops and livestock
- Role of agriculture in today’s society
- Other contemporary agricultural topics
There will be a special exhibit on Thomas Jefferson, his farm, contributions and views on both agriculture and gardening.
Educational staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and lead tours.
Reading Room
The main floor will include a reading room, where visitors of all ages can enjoy books and magazines on farming and gardening.
Classrooms
Four classrooms will be available for programs with youth and adult audiences. School groups touring the facility will have an opportunity for hands-on, interactive educational sessions on seeds, crops, farm animals, conservation and many other topics that link to their school curriculum.
Teaching Greenhouse
Our teaching greenhouse will allow students and other visitors to see a variety of crop plants at various growth stages anytime of the year.
The greenhouse will be attached to our Visitor Education Complex for comfortable all-weather access.