Compass Prairie Art Farm
#26 on the Farm Tour Map
1923 N 800 Rd., Eudora
Owner: Matthew Dehaemers
Facebook: @CompassPrairieArtFarm
Instagram: @CompassPrairie
Our farm on the outskirts of Eudora includes an 11-acre native, never plowed remnant prairie. Only one half of one percent of all prairie is left in the United States, which once spanned over parts of nearly a dozen states.
The Kansas Biological Survey documented 108 species of wildflowers and grasses that create the complex eco-system of our land, We are named Compass Prairie for the resilient Compass plant which is featured in some of our arrangements. These plants can grow up to 10 feet tall and have a root system that reaches 16 feet deep, penetrating soil and limestone. One compass plant with its’ perennial multi-flowering head can live up to 100 years!
My father-in-law, who taught me much about many things, was the caretaker of the prairie, and before him his father. Like my father-in-law, my wife and I have enjoyed growing our own flowers. I decided a few years ago to take growing flowers to a whole new level. Our U-cut flowers are a mix of annuals—in particular, a variety of zinnias, cosmos, basket flower and many others I try each year. These annuals blend with the beautiful perennial flowers and greenery of the prairie itself. Late June to mid-October we host U-cut opportunities as well as offering the chance to experience our remnant prairie. With a masters in fine art, I have been making public art for nearly 20 years. My goal is to merge the world of flowers and the prairie with my world of art. The cut flower garden will be a unique experience of flowers and art for you to enjoy.
The opportunity to pick and cut their very own bouquet of flowers. Enjoy and possibly purchase some of the flower, nature and garden inspired sculpture and other art forms created by Matt.
The public will have the opportunity to walk our scenic special remnant prairie untouched by plow. It will be an opportunity for people to be educated about the importance of the prairie ecosystem and how vital it is to protecting it.
Matt also plans to create some creative installation type environments in and around the cut flower garden for people to enjoy taking pictures with. I also hope like last year to have some great artist exhibiting their work as well as some other types of vendors with their crafted items.
Special Events:
King Bee specializes in artisan, homemade farm-to-market jams and pickles. You will surely find something to take home among his pickles, preserves, and mixers. King Bee will be at Compass both Saturday and Sunday.
-Professional Artist Anastascia Drake will be exhibiting and selling her original paintings and some prints that are directly related to nature. Both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday, October 4th
9 am - Noon: The MERC will be selling their delicious pumpkin bread, muffins, and their Bumblebee protein balls, as well as their coffee and cider
10 am - Noon: Informal Tours of our Remnant Prairie by Matt Garrett is the Natural Resource Manager for the Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD). He will be available in and around the prairie to answer questions and share his knowledge of our vital prairie ecosystem.
Kansas City Art Institute Professor and Artist Julie Farstad, whose work is directly inspired by Native plant ecosystems, will be exhibiting and selling her photos and prints of her work.
11:00 am and 2:00 pm: Julie will demonstrate how to start your own seeds in containers outside during the middle of winter with ease.
Kansas City Art Institute Professor and Artist Deanna Skedel will be exhibiting and selling some of her original prints inspired by sunflowers on Saturday.
Noon - 5 pm: Plein Air Painter Adam Crowley will be observing and creating an original painting of Compass Prairie while visitors stroll along the prairie paths.
Sunday, October 5th
11 am - 1 pm: Sheena Parsons Station Manager of the KU Field Station will be available in and around the prairie to answer questions and share her knowledge of our vital prairie ecosystem.
11 am - 2 pm: Painter Hayley Santell will be painting live around the farm, creating mini-paintings that will be available for immediate sales. Sunday
1 - 3 pm: Informal Tours of our Remnant Prairie by Kathy Denning (Education Program Coordinator for the Office of Advancing Success in Science, University of Kansas. She will be available in and around the prairie to answer questions and share her knowledge of our vital prairie ecosystem.
Porta-Potty Available, No accessible parking