Wingin’ It: Locals Flutter to MU’s Butterfly Bonanza

On Saturday, June 21, the Jefferson Farm and Garden at the University of Missouri will once again transform into a butterfly bonanza, as the eighth annual Butterfly Festival... takes flight. Sorry guys, I'm probably gonna be making a lot of bad puns with this one. But it's so fun!

via GIPHY

This event is coming up at the Jefferson Farm Extension and Education Center, 4800 East New Haven Road, Columbia. Nature lovers, families, and at least three people who identify as “winged beings” (I'm just saying, Columbia's a big college town) will gather for a day packed with beauty, bugs, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Jefferson Farm and Garden, a 67-acre educational farm, is dedicated to connecting the community in agricultural and environmental experiences. The Butterfly Festival is a highlight of the year, offering visitors the chance to learn about native butterfly species, their life cycles, and the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem.

An Insect-ually Enlightening Experience

The festival’s goal is to teach visitors about pollinators and butterfly conservation, and that's important to everyone.  Whether we think about it or not, we need insects! You can read about it if you need more details, but think about it. They're helping not only the plants in your garden grow, but they're also helping farmers with pollination! And, butterflies are needed for their spot in the food chain.

They’re a food source for birds, spiders, lizards, mice and other animals.....Caterpillars are also eaten by bats, birds and other animals.

A Wing-Ding for All Ages

Sorry, sorry.  But I did warn you.   There are going to be so many things to see and a lot of interactive exhibits on this one.  Check out all the stuff for the whole family!

• Interactive Exhibits
• Explore pollinator habitats, flower gardens, and conservation initiatives at Jefferson Farm and Garden.
• Family-Friendly Fun
• Enjoy crafts, educational demonstrations, and opportunities to interact with nature.

And that's all good, but for the pale indoor people like me, you'll also enjoy some time in the shade. Especially the shade.

Free, Fun, and Slightly Fluttering

Thanks to the MU Extension Master Gardener Program and a host of dedicated volunteers, the Butterfly Festival remains a standout event that’s as informative as it is delightfully unpredictable.

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For more details, visit Facebook for Jefferson Farms or the Boone County Extension Facebook page.  Contact Charles Holland or Debi Kelly at 573-445-9792 or booneco@missouri.edu.

Butterflyingly yours,
Behka