Botanica, The Witchita Gardens is receiving $100,000 from Cargill which will be used in the creation of the “Cargill Children’s Farm.”

. . . an interactive, interpretive, multisensory area within “The Downing Children’s Garden.” The project is part of a multiphase, 27-acre expansion for Botanica. The first phase of this expansion is the Downing Children’s Garden, which is scheduled for completion in 2011. The Cargill Children’s Farm will help children learn about, and better understand, rural farm life, including sustainable agriculture, responsible water utilization and good environmental stewardship.

“The Cargill Children’s Farm will allow every visitor to connect with nature through a themed area that will teach people about gardening, tending and harvesting crops,” stated Jody Horner, president of Cargill’s U.S. meat business based in Wichita. “This will be a fun, safe, interactive place for children, teachers and parents to learn about where their food comes from and how it is produced. Given Cargill’s historical roots stemming from origins in the Midwest grain business 145 years ago, this is a perfect fit for our community support and we’re delighted to be involved.”

You can follow the progress on the Downing Children’s Garden on their blog, Peepholes In The Fence.