2025 State Tour Columbia MO July 31- aug 2
We have a great tour lined out for you this year based right in the heart of the state in Columbia MO! We will be Kicking things off Thursday evening at this years "Home Base" Bradford Research Farm for a weenie Roast and social. Friday and Saturday mornings will also start at Bradford farms with coffee and doughnuts around 7 with busses leaving around 8 (we will have a more accurate schedule soon)
Directions
4968 South Rangeline Road
Columbia, MO 65201-8973
- I-70 to Highway 63
- South on 63 for 1 mile to the “Broadway & WW” overpass exit
- Turn left (east) on Broadway/WW for 6.5 miles
- Turn right on South Rangeline Road (watch for the sign) for 2 miles. Headquarters are on the right.
Bradford Research Farm
Bradford Research Farm, located 11 miles east of the MU campus, has the largest concentration of research plots in crops, soils and related disciplines in Missouri. As a research laboratory and outdoor classroom, faculty and students investigate horticultural crops, native plants, wildlife habitat management, wastewater management, entomology, pest and weed control, and alternative crops. Bradford continues to open new avenues of research and education by expanding its scope beyond production agriculture to more non-traditional users such as homeowners and landowners.
Jefferson farm and garden extension and education center
Jefferson Farm and Garden is a 67-acre educational farm designed to engage the community in experiences about food and agriculture. Jefferson Farm and Garden are committed to sharing the story of agriculture and demonstrating a vast array of Midwest farming, gardening and conservation practices. As an outdoor classroom, Jefferson Farm and Garden aims to reach learners of all ages by connecting people to the land and enriching the community through workshops, field trips and special events.
Columbia Farmers Market
Columbia Farmers Market is a year-round producer-only farmers market! Shop local, with everything produced within a 50-mile radius of Columbia! Over the past few years, the Columbia Farmers Market has experienced tremendous growth. With the opening of Columbia's Agriculture Park, Saturday customer counts regularly surpassed 5,000, and the vendor membership expanded to 85 local farmers, producers, and artisans. The market is deeply involved in the community, regularly hosting musicians, artisans, non-profit groups, educational opportunities, and many other special events. The market will be open while we are there so be sure to bring some cash if you are interested in doing some shopping
Boone County Fire Training Center
Boone Couty has a very diverse area with a big city, large forest, rivers, and lots of agriculture. Come see how the local fire fighters prepare themselves for any emergency they may encounter.
Mizzou Grounds Crew
The University of Missouri has 20 NCAA division 1 sports teams. it is no easy job keeping up with all the various facilities and fields for those sports. We will be meeting with members of the MU grounds crew to see some of their equipment and find out how they maintain all of these fields.
Strawberry Hill Farms
Strawberry Hill farms is a retail greenhouse operation near columbia. It started in 1980 and has grown to 28 green houses to grow and sell a wide variety of plants, perennials, hanging baskets, anf vegetable plants.
Panhandle Easten Pipeline
Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP is a natural gas pipeline which brings natural gas from the panhandle region of Oklahoma through the Midwest to supply Indiana and Ohio. We will be touring one of their Pumping Stations located just north of Columbia to learn about how they pump natural gas over long distances and find out what you need to know when it comes to farming over pipelines. SAFETY IS A PRIORITY ON THIS TOUR. SMALL CHILDREN AND ANYONE NOT IN LONG PANTS AND CLOSED TOE SHOES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO ON THE WALKING PORTION OF THE TOUR
Buckman Farms and Aviation
Buckman farms is a family row crop farm that also has a ariel crop spraying business where they utilize 3 hellecopters and lease another 3 from other operators.
Bur oak brewery
For those who share a deep connection to their craft and their community, Bur Oak Brewing Company offers well crafted beers that bring people together. We will be touring this small local brewery and canning facilty. And have the opportunity to purchase some samples to try.