2024 Educational Opportunities

Click here to view upcoming MU Educational Events 

Helping You Learn to Grow…

September 5 – 7, 2024

Hummingbird Festival

Have you ever looked out your window at a hummingbird and wondered about what they need, where they go, how they would feel perched on your finger? Come to the Hummingbird Festival at George Owens Nature Park and find the answer to these questions. During this three-day science and gardening event, there will be presentations, activities, and demonstrations to help you better understand these tiny, amazing birds. George Owens Naturalists have been feeding and studying hummingbirds for years, and they will be your guides as you learn and interact with these birds. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will have a hands-on presentation to teach you how to design a garden with plants that attract hummingbirds to provide what they need. Participants will leave with a garden plan for their own yard. Extension Master Gardeners and the MGGKC Children’s Program will also have family-friendly activities, demos and displays all three days, to help you learn why hummingbirds are such important pollinators. On Friday, Reading Rocket will have books available on hummingbirds. On Saturday, a scientist will be demonstrating how hummingbirds are banded for tracking. Lucky participants may be able to join the process.

Free to the public, walk-up registrations accepted

This is a family friendly event. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

September 5-7, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

George Owens Nature Park
1601 Speck Road
Independence, MO 64057

September 14, 2024

The Gardens at Unity Village Farmer’s Market

Experience a century of history and nostalgia in the barn and gardens at The Gardens of Unity
Village Farmer’s Market. Three cultivated acres behind the 3-story barn provide freshly
harvested vegetables and fruits. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will have a
pollinator display with butterfly puddler demonstration. There will also be a fun children’s
activity called “Pollinators”.

Free to the public, children welcome when accompanied by an adult

September 14, 8:00 am – noon

Unity Village
150B Northwest Colbern Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64086

September 21, 2024

Prepping Native Beds for Fall

Native flower beds need our help to prepare them for the colder weather ahead. Join Burr Oak
Woods staff along with MU Extension Master Gardeners to learn what to expect when
overwintering your native plants through a formal presentation followed by hands-on work in
the gardens on site. All tools will be provided.

Clinic- seed saving for food

September 21, 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Free to the public, adults 16 years and older

Please register at https://mdc.mo.gov/events?combine_event=&name=burr+oak+woods&county=All&region=

Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
1401 Northwest Park Road
Blue Springs, MO 64015

Fall Family Festival at Beanstalk-Kansas City Community Garden

The Beanstalk Children’s Garden is a unique learning environment where children are invited to
see, smell, touch and taste growing plants. There are seven gardens to explore including a
water garden and insect garden. Join Beanstalk Children’s Garden, KCCG, and Master Gardeners
of Greater Kansas City for a day of free family fun. There will be fruit and vegetable tasting,
garden crafts, bug exhibits, hand painting, yard games, scavenger hunt, and free basil plants.

September 21, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Free to the public, children welcome when accompanied by an adult

Kansas City Community Gardens
6917 Kensington Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64132