Powell Gardens Announces Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture

The Midwest spirit of place is a phrase that invokes natural joy in experiencing and embracing our native landscape. With ecosystems ranging from the iconic prairie to woodlands, the Midwest is not only your home, but also the home for many regionally-specific plants, animals, and insects.  

Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, bridges education, exploration, and recreation with stewardship of these important ecosystems not only with current conservation efforts but also with the introduction of the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens. 

What is the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens?  

The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens seeks to further Powell Gardens’ stewardship actions through dynamic application of restoration and reconstruction strategies on Powell Gardens’ property, including the development of valuable educational opportunities and engaging with expert partners, such as Good Oak, Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), and National Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Initiative. 

Regenerative agriculture is the practice of using conservation and rehabilitation-forward approaches to food and farming systems. Powell Gardens and Good Oak are building a regional model that will showcase conservation grazing, natural beekeeping, and agroforestry among other regenerative practices. 

“The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens will serve as a regional hub for regenerative practices,” said Cody Jolliff, Chief Executive Officer. “Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, is proud to partner with Good Oak, Lincoln University, USDA NRCS, and the National Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Initiative, to bring these practices to the forefront of land stewardship.” 

The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture will focus on key initiatives that support our mission and align with our Master Plan.  You can directly support the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens by donating today.  

Donate to Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture 

See answers to frequently asked questions here. 

A Partnership Grows 

In October 2023, Powell Gardens signed an agreement with Good Oak, a like-minded local organization that specializes in regenerative agriculture practices. “Powell Gardens is the perfect partner for this project showcasing regenerative land management,” said Jacob Canyon, Good Oak Co-Founder. “Along with the National Audubon Society, and Lincoln University at Missouri, we are honored to bring this ambitious and unique project to Kansas City’s botanical garden. The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture will be an exemplar of good conservation and sustainable agriculture alike. We hope it helps catalyze broader change in how land is managed in our region.” 

Key Initiatives 

The first phase of the partnership focuses on establishing infrastructure, including fencing, water, and renovating designated structures located on acreage adjacent to the botanical garden’s 175 acres. Fencing will be installed around 276 acres not open to the public. This will maintain the safety of visitors and working animals while on Powell Gardens’ property.   

Once the first phase is complete, Powell Gardens and Good Oak will officially introduce agroforestry, natural beekeeping, and conservation grazing in key areas across the property along with additional educational opportunities in coordination with Powell Gardens’ partners.  

Agroforesty

As natural soil builders, carbon storers, and food and shade producers, trees provide an abundance of benefits to humans, animals, and insects alike. Trees are crucial to restoration and wildlife management projects. In 2024, a tree nursery will grow thousands of native fruit and nut-bearing trees for agroforestry (defined as the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental benefits), conservation projects, and even planted on site at Powell Gardens.  

Educational opportunities will coincide with each of the three key initiatives. Lincoln University of Missouri, located in Jefferson City, Mo., will work with the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens to provide research opportunities alongside extension programming.   

Conservation Grazing

The Midwest’s native ecosystem depends on land management from large herbivores. When introduced and moved strategically, grazing animals like sheep and cattle can be effective tools for creating diverse wildlife habitat, removing invasive plant species, and increasing soil health. This practice is known as conservation grazing, which can support prairie reconstruction if utilized thoughtfully and correctly. In partnership with Good Oak, a small herd of heritage cattle alongside sheep will strategically rotate to graze and reconstruct 276 acres of property not utilized as part of the public botanical garden. In January, this specified acreage earned certification from the National Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Initiative.  

As an Audubon Certified bird-friendly habitat, the rotational grazing at Powell Gardens is designed to help grassland birds, the fastest-declining bird species group in North America. Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Henslow’s Sparrows are species that stand to benefit from an improved grassland habitat mosaic. 

The 175 acres open to the public (the botanical garden) will not be affected by this land management technique. For more information on how this practice differs from animal feeding operations, click this link. 

Natural Beekeeping

Bees turn nectar from wildflowers into delicious honey without the ecological damage associated with corn syrup or sugar cane production. Natural beekeeping methods prioritize bee health by mimicking their natural living conditions, thus supporting more resilient colonies with less intervention. Good Oak will strategically place 50-100 beehives in woodland and prairie landscapes across the property. In the future, the apiary will host demonstrations and educational programming. 

Thanks to generous grant contributions from the USDA NRCS and National Audubon Society, the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens will be a regional model for working with the natural cycles of the Midwest ecosystem with hands-on enrichment and experiential learning opportunities.  

Learn More About Our Partners 

Good Oak

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Good Oak manages landscapes through ecological restoration, regenerative farming, and long-term stewardship.  

Good Oak will work with Powell Gardens to manage the spaces identified for reconstruction and restoration, manage the Flagship Farm, as well as provide educational opportunities.  

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Lincoln University

Lincoln University of Missouri, a historically Black, 1890 land-grant, public, comprehensive institution, provides a diverse population access to excellent educational opportunities through teaching, research, and extension services within a nurturing, student-centered environment.  

Lincoln University of Missouri, located in Jefferson City, Mo., will work with the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens to provide research opportunities alongside extension programming. 

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U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)

USDA NRCS’s mission is to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world.  

Thanks to generous grant contributions from the USDA NRCS, the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens will be a regional model for working with the natural cycles of the Midwest ecosystem with hands-on enrichment and experiential learning opportunities. 

LEARN MORE

National Audubon Society Conservation Ranching Initiative

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.  

Thanks to generous grant contributions from the National Audubon Society, the 276 acres designated for conservation grazing are certified by the National Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Initiative. 

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Support the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens

More information about Powell Gardens’ partnerships and regenerative agriculture initiatives can be found at powellgardens.org/midwest-center. For the latest news and updates subscribe to Powell Garden’s email list at powellgardens.org.   

You can directly support the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens by donating today.  

DONATE