"Fruit breeding at the University of Minnesota has been ongoing since 1878 when the legislature of the 20-year-young state appropriated $2000 to purchase a tract of land for an experiment station and $1000 per year for operations. Gideon was named the first superintendent of the new station, located near his farm on Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota." Minnesota Arboretum
The Minnetonka Fruit Farm, associated with the University of Minnesota, was 116 acres adjoining Gideon's Farm.