Magnificent Missouri, a new charitable organization that was formed to support conservation groups in the state of Missouri, is having its first fundraiser at Bowood Farms next Sunday, September 30. The organization was founded by Dan Burkhardt and John McPheeters of Bowood Farms. Seventeen organizations that promote conservation in Missouri will benefit from the fundraiser. The concept behind including so many organizations as beneficiaries of one event is to promote collaboration among them, and make it easy for attendees to support them all in one fell swoop. 100% of the $200 per person ticket price goes to the organizations (see list on map below or on website).
The beautiful and chock-full-of-Missouri-trivia invitation (seen here) designed by talented CWEnder Diann Cage, is laid out as if it were a map. The artwork incorporated into the invitation was donated by
artist Bryan Haynes, who will show his art at the event.
Some of the best chefs in St. Louis will be barbecuing heritage-breed pork and other meats over an open-pit fire at Bowood. They will also prepare locally-harvested produce. Schlafly Beer and Missouri wines will be available, and music will be provided by the Augusta Bottoms Consort. The guest chefs are extremely supportive of conservation efforts and have agreed to continue their support of Magnificent Missouri by cooking several smaller dinners throughout the year. There is talk of a possible event at the Audubon Center at Riverlands later this fall.
The trivia on the map include little-known (at least to me) facts, such as "200 plants and animals known nowhere else on earth are found in the Ozarks including 30 that are federally listed as endangered." And, "$11 billion of economic activity is generated yearly by conservation-related activities."
Generous sponsors have underwritten the entire cost of the benefit. It was interesting to me that the Chipotle Mexican Grill chain is into the connection between food and the environment in a big way, and John McPheeters said that they are incredibly excited to be sponsoring this event. Chipotle will be giving away copies of Maddie Earnest and Liz Fathman's book Missouri Harvest (see earlier post here) at the event next Sunday.
Pick up an invitation at Bowood Farms or go to the website for more information and to RSVP. Magnificent Missouri at Bowood Farms, Sunday, September 30, 3 to 7 p.m.