Alliant Energy and Trees Forever recently announced awarding $115,050 to 25 Iowa communities for its Branching Out trees planting program.

Thomas Jefferson Gardens in Jefferson received $1,500 in grant money which will be put toward beautifying the outside of what will be the future site of the Welcome Center on the corner of Lincoln Way and Chestnut Street.

Board member Don Orris says the Gardens project alone will cost a total of $425,000 and at the end of July, they have $160,000 left to raise.

He states that their project includes building four different types of gardens around all four sides of the existing building.  They plan on having a children’s, Lewis and Clark, Monticello and farmer’s gardens.  He comments that the farmer’s garden will have a comparison to crops grown in 1917 in Greene County to what’s planted today.

Other details include cement work near the curb area under a metal fence with a brick pathway and prairie grass throughout.

Orris notes that they are accepting donations for the project and that 20-cents of every dollar donated will go back to the Greene County Community Foundation and the interest from that will be used to maintain the gardens.

Contact President Tom Polking to make a donation by calling 386-3158.