South Farm Showcase
by Constance Berneking, posted Oct. 10, 2008
The third annual South Farm Showcase sponsored by CAFNR and the mid-Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.
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At the Tiger Garden booth, children paint faces and pictures on the pumpkins they received at South Farm. |
Hundreds of people flowed in and out of the farm during the event. Families, couples and interested residents came to learn about Missouri agriculture. The property was divided into four areas of interest: Main Street, Turf and Ornamentals, Jefferson Farms and Gardens, and the Equine Center.
The Main Street area was the central part of all the activities. A large expo tent held booths sponsored by various MU groups and agriculture-related programs. Some of the groups included Alternative Energy, Entomology, Tiger Garden and Atmospheric Sciences.
Various native grasses, coal, corncobs and tire chunks were laid out for viewing at the Alternative Fuel post.
“We’re looking into native grasses to create energy and electricity,” said Leon Schumacher, Ag Systems Management professor. The Alternative Fuel group is also experimenting with switchgrass and miscanthus to make ethanol.
At the Entomology station, visitors could view hundreds of different insects. Kris Simpson, MU Department of Entomology, explained to a group of spectators about various cockroach species and showed them live hissing cockroaches from Madagascar.
“I promise they don’t bite,” Simpson said reassuringly, while holding the cockroaches in front of the viewers.
At the Tiger Garden booth, children used markers and glitter paint on pumpkins. They could also pot plants to take home with them. Behind the decorating tables was a backdrop of various seasonal wreaths and arrangements that were available for purchase.
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Sheep and cattle herder Danny Shilling and his dogs give a lively demonstration to families about what herding dogs do and why they do it. |
At the Atmospheric Sciences station they had a tornado machine that simulated the look of a tornado. Eric Aldrich, weather forecaster from KMOU Channel 8, told visitors about weather observation and meteorology. Aldrich and Tony Lupo, MU Meteorology Department, planned to launch a weather balloon later in the day.
In an open area, Danny Shilling showed groups of parents and children the use of sheep-herding dogs by having some of his dogs demonstrate their skills.
“These dogs were born to herd cattle and they love it,” said Shilling. He also told visitors about the history of the dogs’ use.
In the Turf and Ornamental section, visitors could putt on a putting green, view some native grasses and plants, and run around the bases at the MU Field of Dreams. The MU Field of Dreams is used to try out different types of grass for baseball diamonds. At the Native Grasses and Plants Display, Tim Reinbott, manager of the MU Bradford Farm, answered questions from visitors about the plants.
“All the plants and grasses we have here were grown at our research farms,” Reinbott said.
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Kris Simpson, from MU’s department of entomology, showed young visitors hissing cockroaches. |
Visitors were taken on a short hayride to the equine center where mule rides were given. Children could also stop by the petting zoo to see horses, cows and sheep. One stop along the hayride was a sneak preview of the 67-acre Jefferson Farm and Garden, set to open in 2009. This area will be a place to learn about conservation, gardening and farming.
After visiting the attractions, guests ended their day at the showcase with homemade BBQ and a traditional bluegrass band that played in the shade.
