Meet fan-favorite farm animals, check out brand-new farm tech, and explore the pasture for dozens of hands-on fun. Thanksgiving Point Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit farm, garden, and museum complex that draws upon the natural world to cultivate transformative family learning. Using the natural world as a springboard for exploration, Thanksgiving Point combines place and process to shape today’
s problem solvers into tomorrow’s makers and innovators. Thanksgiving Point is located at the center of Utah’s population growth equidistant between Provo and Salt Lake City metro areas. Alan Ashton purchased the land for Thanksgiving Point on Valentine’s Day in 1995 as a gift. The creator of the groundbreaking software WordPerfect, Alan wanted to realize his beloved wife Karen’s dream of building a community gathering place. Opened to the public in 1996, Farm Country combines local history with Alan’s interest in self-reliance and farming. The mission of Farm Country is to demonstrate the origins of the food supply in a working farm environment. Small children squeal with awe and a little bit of “ick!” as they observe and even help with daily cow milking. A summer-long Junior Master Gardener Club maintains a pizza garden, growing tomatoes, basil, peppers, and onions. Other demonstration gardens include a USDA People’s Garden and a Three Sisters Garden. The programs and experiences of Farm Country instill healthy eating habits in children and families that last a lifetime.
