Two years ago, Jefferson Farm and Garden invited the Columbia community out to the research center for two nights of scientific discussion and educational opportunities. The series, branded as Science Night at Jefferson Farm and Garden, allowed University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) faculty the chance to share their expertise with the local community.

Science Night is returning this year, with a handful of in-person events during the next few months. Jefferson Farm and Garden will kick off the series on Thursday, June 24, with an event focused on pollinators. This month’s Science Night is titled, “Help Save the Pollinators,” and takes place during the national 2021 Pollinator Week, which is June 21-25.

“We’re incredibly happy to be able to offer an in-person event, especially one that is focused on such an important topic,” said Tim Reinbott, director of field operations for the Agricultural Experiment Station. “We’re excited to feature the important role pollinators play in agriculture, as well as how our community can play a part in protecting those pollinators.”

Registration is required for the event, which is free and open to the public, and is limited to just 50 individuals. Interested attendees can register at cafnralumni.com/pollinatornight. Once 50 individuals have registered, the event registration will close.

Check-in for the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Jefferson Farm and Garden, and tours start at 6 p.m. and go until dusk. There will be tours at Jefferson, as well as the nearby South Farm Research Center. Attendees will spend time at both locations, with a wagon ride connecting the two.

The Science Night event will offer an opportunity to tour the butterfly house and native garden at Jefferson Farm and Garden. There will also be discussions on how to establish a pollinator habitat, monarchs and milkweeds, and bumblebee needs, as well as other topics. The Missouri Department of Conservation sponsored much of the research related to the discussions.

“We have a group of faculty and staff who have been actively studying pollinators and the best practices for protecting those species,” Reinbott said. “This is a great opportunity to share that information with the public.”

Jefferson Farm and Garden is part of the CAFNR Agricultural Experiment Station. It is located at 4800 East New Haven Road in Columbia. For questions about the event, contact Reinbott at ReinbottT@missouri.edu or 573-882-4450.