Henry Kirklin was a former enslaved person who made waves with his gardening, horticulture, and business skills in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally hired by the University of Missouri to work as a gardener and greenhouse supervisor, Kirklin was quickly asked by staff to teach grafting and pruning in horticulture lab classes. Although his role was unofficial, Kirklin was likely the first Black person to teach at the university. He went on to apply his garden knowledge to grow his own successful commercial fruit and vegetable farm. Kirklin was featured in national farming journals and local media — according to the Columbia Evening Missourian, his knowledge of nursery work was “unlimited”.