Community Service

In May 2009 the Kress Farm members partnered with Jefferson County Executives to put in a new garden at the county courthouse in Hillsboro. We had quite a project, but one worthy of our effort owing to the fact that there were Veteran's Memorials that were unkempt. The project took several site visits and a several days of prepping the ground. We used the "Lasagna Gardening" book as a guide and therefore, this alleviated the need for tilling and heavy digging. With help from several of our volunteers, you can see the before pictures and after--we feel this was a very worthwhile project many years to come!

Becoming A Member

Kress Farm Garden Club welcomes anyone sharing our philosophy of preserving and protecting nature. Dues are $35.00 per year. Members are encouraged to help with the upkeep of the grounds and participate in club activities. Please membership payment to: Kress Farm Garden Preserve, 5137 Glade Chapel Road, Hillsboro, Missouri 63050. All contributions are tax deductible as provided by the law.

Ozark Regional Land Trust

In 2005, Kress Farm Garden club members voted to join forces with the Ozark Regional Land Trust. This joint venture assures us that the property can never be developed for housing or commercial ventures. The land trust protects the perimeter of the property yet allows us to continue with our own plans and programming.

Dr. Jacob Kress, Founder

Dr. Jacob Kress is the man behind the drive to preserve Kress Farm. He was born in Piqua, Kansas in 1923. He came to St. Louis in 1944 as a soldier assigned to Jefferson Barracks. In 1945 he entered the St. Louis University School of Dentistry. Subsequently, he practiced in South St. Louis County for 26 years. Dr. Kress purchased the present property in 1961 and along with his long time friend Warren Lorella, worked tirelessly to make the farm what it is today.

The History of Kress Farm Garden Preserve

The Kress Farm Garden Club was founded by Dr. Jacob Kress in 1997. Since then, a small, but dedicated group have undertaken the task of preserving the 150 acres of woods, fields, and gardens into posterity so that generations to follow will have the opportunity to contemplate, study and observe nature and wildlife.

Welcome to Kress Farm

Welcome to the new Kress Farm blog. Kress Farm Garden Preserve's mission is to plan and preserve Kress Farm in its entirety by conserving native plants and wildlife habitat for the future education of the greater community. Kress Farm values gardens, wildlife and stewardship of the land.