The new initiative from Kansas City’s botanical garden receives significant donation with additional match opportunity for education, restoration, and conservation initiatives.

Kingsville, MO - The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens (MCRA), a new initiative that will provide an educational hub for the community to learn about regenerative practices and their implementation in the Midwest landscape, today announced an immediate $250,000 donation from the Matthew Zell Family Foundation (MZFF). The donation kicks off a matching opportunity where every additional dollar donated will be matched up to $250,000, resulting in a total gift from MZFF of up to $500,000 to support the program's education, restoration, and conservation efforts.

Projects include, but are not limited to, agroforestry (defined as intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental benefits), woodland and prairie restoration, facilities restoration, and the development of a focused educational program.

“This gift and accompanying match enable the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens to continue crucial restoration work while serving as a regional hub for education in the Midwest,” said Chief Executive Officer Cody Jolliff. “Working with our partners, Powell Gardens will develop regenerative agriculture programming for local farmers and expand visitor knowledge of these important practices.”

The MCRA furthers Powell Gardens’ stewardship actions in addition to current conservation efforts through the dynamic application of restoration and reconstruction strategies on Powell Gardens’ property, including the development of valuable educational opportunities and engagement with expert partners, such as Good Oak, Lincoln University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), and the National Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Initiative.

“The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens is a one-of-a-kind project that allows us to support both Powell Gardens as a community linchpin for conservation and education in the region and the broader regenerative agriculture movement through a demonstration farm capable of attracting over 100,000 visitors per year,” said Aaron Zell, a Matthew Zell Family Foundation board member. “We believe the remarkable coalition of partners that Powell Gardens has assembled for this project positions it for success, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

To participate in the match, go to www.powellgardens.org/midwest-center, click “Donate,” select your donation amount, and comment “Match” in the comment box to apply the funds to the match opportunity.

For more information about Powell Gardens’ partnerships and regenerative agriculture initiatives, visit www.powellgardens.org/midwest-center. For the latest news and updates, subscribe to Powell Gardens’ email list at www.powellgardens.org.