The South Farm of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri-Columbia is a 1,452 acre agriculture experiment station, located approximately three miles southeast from the main Columbia campus and adjacent to US63 in the southeast portion of the city of Columbia. At its October 2005 meeting, the Board of Curators approved the designation of South Farm as a research park pursuant to Statute 172.273 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
With rapid development in/around South Farm, concern has long existed that the College would lose the Farm as a working research, teaching and outreach site proximate to campus for use by faculty and students. After considerable study, it was determined that a research park could be initiated through the creation of 'Discovery Ridge' with an initial phase of approximately 114 acres while land use and facilities are reoriented on South Farm. The two purposes are meant to reinforce each other. The land dedicated to South Farm will demonstrate the latest in agricultural stewardship that maintains green space and the integrity of the watershed. Discovery Ridge and its occupants will likely focus on the life sciences, but serve as a site for discoveries from all of MU to do business.
The extent to which the park develops will be determined by the marketplace. The research park will be a joint project between the University of Missouri Office of Research and Economic Development and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
© 2007-2008 The Curators of the University of Missouri. DMCA and other copyright information.