Butterfly release party!!

My latest assignment for the Columbia Missourian I traveled to Jefferson Farms for their annual butterfly release party. The butterflies were ordered to restock the butterfly habitat at the farm before their annual Butterfly Festival. It was so cool to see the butterflies come alive and fly after being dormant. They are shipped in a cool container, and when they are released the warmth of the air gets out of their dormant stage, after warming up the take to sky! It was such cool moment to watch and really made my day.

A monarch butterfly caterpillar climbs up a stem of a milkweed plant to feed on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The milkweed plant is the primary food source for the monarch butterfly and caterpillar.

A monarch butterfly caterpillar climbs up a stem of a milkweed plant to feed on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The milkweed plant is the primary food source for the monarch butterfly and caterpillar.

Tim Reinbott opens the package of butterflies to be released into the butterfly habitat on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. This release was Reinbott’s last as he heads into retirement after 39 years with Jefferson

Tim Reinbott opens the package of butterflies to be released into the butterfly habitat on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. This release was Reinbott’s last as he heads into retirement after 39 years with Jefferson Farm and Garden.

Painted lady butterflies warm up for their release into their new habitat on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The butterflies are kept in a cool environment until release, and come out of their dormant stage after w

Painted lady butterflies warm up for their release into their new habitat on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The butterflies are kept in a cool environment until release, and come out of their dormant stage after warming up.

A black swallowtail butterfly flies up Brenda McGavock’s arm while being released on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The black swallowtail likes to feed on dill, parsley and rue.

A black swallowtail butterfly flies up Brenda McGavock’s arm while being released on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The black swallowtail likes to feed on dill, parsley and rue.

A painted lady butterfly lands on Tim Reinbott’s thumb after being released on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The release was scheduled to repopulate the butterfly habitat before the annual Butterfly Festival.

A painted lady butterfly lands on Tim Reinbott’s thumb after being released on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The release was scheduled to repopulate the butterfly habitat before the annual Butterfly Festival.

A monarch butterfly lands on Nancy Gay on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. Gay is one the master gardeners who helped with the release of the butterflies.

A monarch butterfly lands on Nancy Gay on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. Gay is one the master gardeners who helped with the release of the butterflies.

Two monarch butterflies feed on the bloom of a milkweed on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. Of the 100 butterflies released, 35 were monarchs.

Two monarch butterflies feed on the bloom of a milkweed on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. Of the 100 butterflies released, 35 were monarchs.