South Farm (SF) has been an important property for CAFNR research and educational activities since the original 186 acres were purchased in 1930. Subsequent acquisitions have increased the farm to its current size of 1,452 acres.

What began as a small farm outside the city is now an extensive education and research facility bordered by urban development. The College remains committed to retaining South Farm as an important component of our state-wide system of Centers and Farms, but it is a time of transition. 

The farm has become the site (or proposed site) of several new facilities: Discovery Ridge, the Jefferson Institute and the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility. We believe these facilities will enhance SF as a center for research and education not only for college faculty and students but also for the community at large. 

To help make the community aware of the exciting research and demonstration projects at South Farm we will hold the inaugural South Farm Showcase on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Come and enjoy live music, food and tours of the farm.  This is a great opportunity to show our friends and supporters the importance of SF to CAFNR’s research and educational programs and its importance to the community as an educational and recreational resource. I hope you plan to attend. 

Regards,
Marc  

Discovery Ridge
This 130-acre site along Highway 63 will be developed as the UM System’s Columbia research and technology park. The park’s first partner will be a research firm with longstanding ties to Mizzou.  Analytical Bio-Chemistry Laboratories Inc., (ABC Labs) announced that it will move its corporate headquarters and laboratories, currently adjacent to I-70 east of Columbia, to an 11.5-acre site that it will lease at the new research park. The Discovery Ridge development will include improvements to Lenoir Road, which will provide access to Discovery Ridge from New Haven Road and the new Gans Parkway. A new interchange on Highway 63 will link South Farm and Discovery Ridge with the planned commercial development on the west side of Highway 63. Updates on Discovery Ridge can be found on the UM System Web site.

Jefferson Institute
The Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, a non-profit agricultural education and research center is under development on 67 acres along New Haven Road.  This educational farm is expected to provide a high-quality visitor experience with a variety of educational exhibits and demonstrations. Up to 10,000 school children and many other visitors are expected to tour the farm each year. The property will contain a lake that is nearing completion. Roads within the property are being laid out. A shop building was erected last spring and a deer fence surrounding the property is nearly complete. Official opening of the Jefferson Institute is planned for the spring of 2007.

National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF)
Evaluation of proposals for location of the NBAF continues at the national level. The Missouri proposal that would locate the NBAF on 100 acres of South Farm north of New Haven Road was one of 18 proposals selected for the second round of study. South Farm has 220 acres north of New Haven and the NBAF is proposed to be located on the north portion of this tract. The proposed facility would be operated by the Department of Homeland Defense and would employ upwards of 250 scientists and support personnel in a 500,000 square foot facility estimated to cost $350M.  Work at the facility would focus on foreign animal diseases.