Homegrown: November 2011 Calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events happening in November 2011 in Eastern Iowa:

Tues., Nov. 1, 7-8 p.m., Frances Moore Lappe presents "Sustainable Foods and Climate Change: Fixing a Broken System"  IMU, Main Ballroom, Iowa City (map) Frances Moore Lappe author of Diet for a Small Planet and 18 other books is coming to Iowa this November. The UI Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, the UI Office of Sustainability, UI Public Policy Center, UI School of Urban and Regional Planning Program and UI Lecture Committee will be co-hosting her for a lecture.  http://www.smal?lplanet.org/eve?nts/university-?iowa

 Tues., Nov. 1, 7 p.m., “Lunch Line” documentary showing, Mount Mercy University, Busse Viewing room. Free.  The documentary Lunch Line takes a new look at the school lunch program. The National School Lunch Program began in 1946, and now, more than 60 years later, the program feeds more than 31 million children every day. Lunch Line follows six kids from one of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago as they set out to fix school lunch - and end up at the White House. Their unlikely journey parallels the dramatic transformation of school lunch from a patchwork of local anti-hunger efforts to a robust national feeding program. The film tracks the behind-the-scenes details of school lunch and childhood hunger from key moments in the 1940s, 1960s, and 1980s to the present, revealing political twists, surprising alliances, and more common ground than people might realize.

 Wed., Nov. 2, 10 a.m., REAL Walk: The Bog Story, Indian Creek Nature Center. Join this exploration of Iowa's fens and bogs. Learn about our state's endangered peatlands and their cultural history. This program includes a vigorous uphill hike (round trip: 1½ miles). M: $3, NM: $4.

 Sat., Nov. 5, 1-9 p.m., Environmental Film Festival. The Fifth Annual Environmental Film Festival will be held in Hickock Hall at Coe College. The festival will kick off with a viewing of What's On Your Plate at 1 p.m. This film is appropriate for school age children through adults. It is described as a witty and provocative family documentary about kids and food politics. The film follows two eleven-year-old city kids as they explore their place in the food chain. Sadie and Safiyah take a close look at food systems in New York City and its surrounding areas. With the camera as their companion, the girl guides talk to each other, food activists, farmers, and many others, in their quest to understand What's On Your Plate? This film will be followed by children's activities led by the Coe College Environmental Club. At 3 p.m., festival attendees will view The Greenhorns, a film that is appropriate for middle school students through adults. It is described as a documentary that explores the lives of America's young farming community-its spirit, practices, and needs. It is the filmmaker's hope that by broadcasting the stories and voices of these young farmers, we can build a case for those considering a career in agriculture-to embolden them, to entice them and to recruit them into farming. This film will be followed by a panel discussion with local greenhorns. At 7 p.m., the film Aldo Leopold's GreenFire, another film that is appropriate for middle school students through adults, will be shown. This film is described as the first full-length documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold, Green Fire highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. After this film, Paul Johnson from the Green Fire Team will speak. Participants can bring household batteries, plastic bags and cell phones for recycling and non-perishable food items for the Linn Community Food Bank. This event is free. For more information, contact Emy Sautter at Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or visit www.Prairiewoods.org.

Sun., Nov. 6, 2 p.m., Forcing Fall Bulbs for Spring Bloom Class,  Lowe Park Greenhouse, 4500 N. 10

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Street, Marion. What can be better than an early burst of color from fall bulbs blooming in the dead of winter.  Join Linn County Master Gardener Ellen Skripsky as she explains the process used to force fall bulbs, what to look for when selecting bulbs, and which containers and soil mixes should be used to get the best results. Class materials fee is $6.00, which will cover one container, three bulbs, and the soil mix for the container. Space is limited. Reserve your space by mailing or dropping off the registration fee of $6 by   November 4 to Linn County Extension: 3270 7

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Avenue Suite 140, Marion, IA 52302. The class is open to the public.

 Tues., Nov. 8, 7-8:30 p.m., Jay Walljasper, author of All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons, will visit Iowa City for “A Conversation about the Commons”. “The commons is a new way to express a very old idea-that some forms of wealth belong to all of us, and that these community resources must be actively protected and managed for the good of all. The commons are the things that we inherit and create jointly, and that will (hopefully) last for generations to come. The commons consists of gifts of nature such as air, oceans and wildlife as well as shared social creations such as libraries, public spaces, scientific research and creative works.” (OnTheCommons.org) “THE COMMONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IOWA CITY,” panel discussion, Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center Social Hall, 220 S. Gilbert St. In addition to Jay Walljasper, panelists will include Jeff Davidson (City of Iowa City, Planning and Community Development), Carson Eggland (The James Gang, Ronald McDonald House), Kurt Friese (Devotay Restaurant, Slow Food USA/Iowa City), Mark Ginsberg (M. C. Ginsberg: Objects of Art), Fred Meyer (Backyard Abundance, Environmental Advocates), Katie Roche (Englert Theatre), and Christine Scheetz (United Way of Johnson County). Walljasper will also speak to the public at a forum and a reception Tuesday. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 12:00 NOON–1:00 P.M. – “A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COMMONS WITH JAY WALLJASPER,” 1505 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 3:30–4:30 P.M. – PUBLIC RECEPTION FOR JAY WALLJASPER, M. C. Ginsberg: Objects of Art, 110 East Washington St. Come greet and chat with Jay Walljasper in an informal setting. Learn more about these events at The Commons, Iowa City Facebook page.

 Thurs., Nov. 10, 7-8:30 p.m., Memorial Service for Friends of Prairiewoods. All are invited to remember our beloved dead with a memorial service. We at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) are deeply appreciative of donations made in honor of lost loved ones. This evening-facilitated by Marj English, OSF-will honor those individuals and other friends of Prairiewoods who have died. Please bring a picture or a symbol of your loved ones to be used during the service. Light refreshments will be served. Please feel free to invite other family and friends! This event is free. For more information, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or www.Prairiewoods.org.

 Fri., Nov. 11 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Local Foods Banquet, Prairiewoods | directions Prairiewoods Francisan Spirituality Center

120 E. Boyson Road, Hiawatha, $30/person or $50 for couples. IVRC&D is proud to host our 4th Annual Local Food Banquet. Join in the merriment and support our organization whose mission is to conserve and develop resources in the Iowa and Cedar Valley areas through education, demostration and partnerships. Live entertainment by "The Too Many String Band" and a silent auction will take place as well as door prizes will given out. Purchase your tickets online now or you may write a check. Make out to:

Iowa Valley RC&D

c/o: Local Foods Banquet

920 48th Ave,

Amana, IA 52203-8032

* Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Questions or comments?

Tel: 319.622.3264

Email: info@ivrcd.org

Visit http://ivrcd.org/food/foodbanquet.php for more information or to purchase tickets.

 Sat., Nov. 12, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Backyard Abundance Mulch Madness, 1546 Iroquois Dr NE Solon. Cindy and Steve are embarking on a 4-year plan to transform their 2 acres of turfgrass into an edible forest. You are invited to Mulch Madness 2011: a free sheet mulching party that prepares soil for growing tons of organic food. In addition to mulching, infiltration swales will be outlined and dug to create a self-watering landscape. Chat with like-minded gardeners while enjoying homemade cinnamon rolls, chili, coffee, and tea. You will learn about forest gardens, preparing large areas for new garden beds, and preventing erosion and runoff. Tools are available, but if you have them, please bring:

• Shovels

• Steel rakes

• Mattocks

• Wheel barrows

• Gloves

Backyard Abundance helped design their large landscape. The design can be seen in the Backyard Abundance portfolio. Please feel free to arrive at any time between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm for this fun learning event. Contact Backyard Abundance if you would like to carpool from Iowa City at around 7:30 am.

 Sat., Nov. 12, 1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center. Naturalist Adventurers: Search for the Source of Bena Brook. For students in grades 6 and up. Call for details. Advance registration required (362-0664). M: $3, NM: $4.

 Sun., Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Coralville New Pioneer Food Co-op, 1101 2nd Street, Coralville. Holiday Sample Fair with your local farmers and producers. Enjoy samples from the producers, live music, and fun demonstrations!

 Tues., Nov. 15, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM., Rainscaping Iowa Training, Johnson County Fair Grounds | directions Rainwater Harvesting Workshop. Check-in at 8:30 a.m.

This workshop will be held in Iowa City. The fee is $95. Visit www.rainscapingiowa.org for more information.

 Tues.,  Nov. 15, 7-9 p.m., Our New Climate Reality: A Call to Action. NE Iowa Peace and Justice Center, 119 Winnebago St., Decorah | directions State Senator Rob Hogg is presenting “Our New Climate Reality – A Call To Action For Iowa,” at the NE Iowa Peace and Justice Center, 119 Winnebago Street, in Decorah.  Admission is free.

 Wed., Nov. 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Green Living Group at Prairiewoods: GMOs. The Green Living Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha). Facilitators Maggie Anderson, Emmy Ball and Emy Sautter will help participants explore the subject of a sustainable and healthy environment through books, articles, films and speakers. This is an ideal opportunity for education and for an ongoing support system for happy and healthy green living, and participants may join at any time. This month's focus is Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Laura Krouse, a local CSA farmer and former Cornell College professor, will speak on the many facets of GMOs and will answer any questions you have on the topic. There will be no Green Living Group in December. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or go to www.prairiewoods.org.

Thurs., Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m., The University of Iowa Professor of Biology Erin Irish will repeat her lecture "Corn: Only as high as an elephant's eye" in the Old Capitol Museum Supreme Court Chamber. The free public lecture is sponsored UI Pentacrest Museums and coincides with the extension of the current Old Capitol exhibit "Maize," which originally scheduled to close on Oct. 16 but now will remain open until Nov. 27. The traveling exhibit explores the science and history of maize: what it is, why it is important, and how it has changed over the thousands of years that humans have cultivated the crop. More information on the exhibit can be found at: http://news-releases.uiowa.edu/2011/august/081511maize-exhibit.html.

 Sat., Nov. 19, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Prairiewoods Holiday Bazaar. The holiday season is almost upon us, and you can get a jump on your holiday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving at the annual Prairiewoods Holiday Bazaar. On Saturday, November 19, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) will be the place to get into the holiday spirit! Come to the Holiday Bazaar to find baked goods and gifts for friends and family on your Christmas list. In addition to special items from the Prairiewoods kitchen and gift shop, vendors with an array of craft items will be present. The Holiday Bazaar will feature fresh baked breads and pies, Trappistine caramels, greeting cards, jewelry, mittens, baby items and many more handcrafted goods. And if you wear yourself out with too much shopping, take a break in our Coffee Café with a hot drink and a cinnamon roll or other tasty treat. We hope you will join us in kicking off this festive season with the Holiday Bazaar! For more information, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or www.prairiewoods.org.

 Sat., Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sierra Club Chili Luncheon & Outdoor Gear Silent Auction.  Sample great homemade chili for lunch and bid on a variety of camping, hiking, boating and gardening gear. Sale proceeds benefit ICNC and the Sierra Club. Lunch and auction begin at 11 AM. Bidding closes at 12:30 PM. Lunch Fees: Adult: $6, Child: $3.

Sat., Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department and the Cedar Amateur Astronomers are presenting a program called The Violent Universe at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and LearningCenter south ofMt.Vernon.  Dr. Daniel Gall, The University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy, will present a summary of some of the most exciting high energy objects that we have looked at lately and still don't fully understand: the most violent places in the universe, extreme energy from binary black hole/neutron star systems, the remnants from supernova explosions, a star getting eaten by a supermassive black hole, a nova in a nearby star system, unknown bright transient gamma-ray sources in our galaxy. Weather permitting, observing through CAA telescopes will follow the presentation. Donations accepted. The observatory is located at 1365 Ivanhoe Road.  To reach the observatory take Hwy. 1 south of Mt. Vernon and turn right onto Ivanhoe Road just south of the Cedar River.

  Sun.,  Nov. 20, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Nature Explore Playscape Build Day with the Buckleys, 2301 Jessup Circle, Iowa City | directions Backyard Abundance is bringing Nature Explore to your neighborhood! In partnership with Arbor Day Foundation, Dimensions Educational Research Foundation and Abundant Playscapes, Backyard Abundance is leading a national pilot study to bring Nature Explore Playscapes to our local neighborhoods. Nature Explore playscapes lead to educational opportunities and increased skills and wellness in the participants' children, as well as family, friends and neighborhood children who use the space. There are three phases of the study and we are on phase two, the implementation phase. We need your help to move on to phase three!This is part of the study is the most fun! We will be implementing the design and playscape infrastructure. We need your help to complete this phase, so we are inviting you to join us for a fun-filled weekend! We will be building, digging, planting and watching the space transform into a space that will support growth, learning and adventure for kids of all ages! Some of the areas we will be getting ready are the Dirt Digging area, the Messy Materials area, the Nature Art area and the Building & Construction area. Tools are available, but if you have them, please bring:

• Shovels

• Steel rakes

• Mattocks

• Wheel barrows

• Gloves

Please join us Saturday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., or Sunday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Buckley residence, 2301 Jessup Cir., Iowa City.

Mon., Nov. 21,  The 11th Annual Iowa Organic Conference, at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State campus, will offer many educational opportunities for those interested in organic agriculture research and practical applications for farming systems. It will cover topics of interest to organic and conventional farmers, extension staff, industry representatives and students who want to learn more about science-based research and how farmers involved in organic production apply the research. Organic and transitioning farmers benefit from educational and certification services provided by Iowa State University (ISU) organic agriculture program and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) organic division; services rated among the top in the country. The Iowa organic conference hosted by Iowa State University is one such educational event. Conference keynote speaker is Joe Bennett, organic agriculture manager at Cascadian Farms/Small Planet Foods, of Rockport, Wash. Bennett has a M.S. in plant pathology and a B.S. in horticulture from Oregon State University. He is currently involved in extensive on-farm research trials with Oregon State University. Cascadian Farms represents a prime example of how the demand for organic foods in the U.S. propelled a company from a small, backyard operation to a well-recognized food processor and national distributor, while remaining true to their original organic principles of growing and sourcing crops free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Organic farmers who produce crops for the Cascadian Farms brand consist of small and large operations, all united by the same goal of supplying healthy, fresh food to the increasing number of organic consumers. Conference speakers include a variety of university researchers:

• Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin, Dale Mutch, Michigan State University, and Jim Riddle, University of Minnesota, will present research results from their organic grain crops, cover crops, vegetable and organic food research.
• Jeff Moyer and Christine Ziegler of the Rodale Institute will address the potential for organic no-till, what some are calling the “Holy Grail” of organic production.
• Area organic farmers will be offering tips for best practices during transition to organic farming, including weed management strategies.
• New research from Iowa State will include robotic weeders for organic vegetable crops.

• Kathleen Delate, Iowa State professor of agronomy and horticulture, and Craig Chase, ISU Extension program specialist, will discuss crop, soils and economic data from the 14-year LTAR (Long-Term Agroecological Research) comparison of organic and conventional rotations at the ISU Neely-Kinyon Farm in Greenfield, Iowa. In 2010, organic corn and soybean yields were equal to conventional yields, at 147 and 57 bushels per acre, respectively.

• Cynthia Cambardella, USDA National Laboratory for Ag and the Environment, Ames, has quantified carbon sequestration benefits of the LTAR organic rotations, which can help offset harmful global CO2 emissions.

“Farmers, both conventional and organic, have had many challenges this year,” Kathleen Delate said. “The cold, wet spring delayed growth and the dry periods in the middle of the season affected corn pollination and overall crop production; but prices are high and organic promises an excellent return to management, with organic corn selling for $12 a bushel and food-grade organic soybeans reaching $22 a bushel. The demand for organic foods has not ceased, even during the recession.” Craig Chase said that the time to transition into organic is as good as ever. With conventional commodity prices so high, even with a lower yield during the two-year transition to organic, farmers will have the buffer of high conventional prices; and can apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and certification cost-share programs, according to Chase. Iowa currently ranks tenth in the nation in the number of organic farmers.  An all-organic lunch, featuring local organic chicken, squash, broccoli, onions, tomatoes and apples transformed into a gourmet meal by the ISU Dining Services (DS) will be served at the conference. According to Nancy Levandowki, DS director, Iowa State students see the value of eating more sustainable foods, and are willing to pay a small premium to support family farms and the environment. One of the examples of food sourced for ISU Dining Services is the Wills Family Farm of Adel. Organic ‘Liberty' and ‘Redfree' apples produced by Maury Wills, head of the IDALS organic division, will be used in apple tarts topped with organic cinnamon ice cream for conference-goers. In addition to 12 workshop sessions, 25 educational and industry exhibits will be on display at the conference. Vendor set-up and reception begins Sunday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.; the full conference starts with a 7:30 a.m. registration on Monday, Nov. 21, at the Scheman Building in Ames. The complete agenda is available on the conference website: www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic11/home.html. Registration and additional conference information also is available on the conference website. For information about the program content contact conference coordinator, Kathleen Delate, at 515-294-7069 or kdelate@iastate.edu. For information about registration, contact registration services at registration-info@iastate.edu.

Mon., Nov. 28, 6-9 p.m., Ohnward Fine Arts Center's auditorium, 1215 East Platt Street, in Maquoketa. Limestone Bluffs RC&D is hosting a special interactive event to explore what many energy professionals regard as the certainty of a coming crisis within the next fifteen years, when known oil reserves are predicted to ebb. With Europe now paying in excess of $8 per liter (August 2011) at the pump, what is the fate of U.S. oil supplies? Our Iowa agriculture producers and the surrounding small communities may be uniquely poised for a near future advantage. An internationally renowned speaker and a Minnesota farmer will share their energy-related research and experience in developing highly successful businesses.  A third speaker will demonstrate a free online mapping program in real time, which will assess biomass-producing potential for participants. Biomass and sustainable energy materials will also be available from companies in our area. Kenneth W. Smith is President and CEO of District Energy St. Paul and District Cooling St. Paul, as well as its affiliate, Ever-Green Energy. Educated in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University, he is a registered professional engineer in several states and serves in many professional organizations and task forces on renewable energy, energy conservation and integrated energy systems, including the Board of the International District Energy Association. Mr. Smith's goal of creating integrated energy infrastructure culminated in the largest hot water district heating system in North America, heating over 80 percent of the central business district and the State Capitol in Saint Paul by an adjacent renewable urban wood waste heat and power (CHP) plant. Saint Paul has exhibited its system to 38 countries and 15 states. In 2011, his company integrated the Midwest's largest solar thermal array into the hot water system, the first solar integration to occur in the U.S. Mr. Smith will present a compelling story of renewable energy as it is practiced in other countries and its potential in our own region. Pork & Plants, LLC is a family farm and greenhouse in southeastern Minnesota.  Ed and Joyce Kreidermacher, who originally purchased their farm in 1962, have turned this original small dairy and hog farm along with Joyce's green thumb “hobby” growing vegetables not found in the store, into a thriving and diverse agribusiness.  In coming up with a new business name, their oldest daughter joked, “You know Pork & Beans, just call it Pork & Plants!”  Maybe the connection isn't obvious at first glance, but this family farm actually turns its agricultural waste to heat for its facilities.  The Kreidermachers won an innovation award for creating renewable biomass pellets that heat the greenhouses.  In 1997 their son, Eric, returned to the farm to partner with them.  As the hog market bottomed out, he learned to enjoy growing plants and diving into his biomass operations.  Eric Kreidermacher has been invited to give his lively presentation, and will reveal the farms conversion from traditional energy sources to biomass fuels, as well as his trial and error experimentation with on-farm pelletizing, selecting native prairie grasses and other forms of agricultural residues to supply the farm with the energy needed to fully meet their annual demands.  He will openly and candidly tour his audience through their discoveries, failures and eureka moments in developing a highly successful process and becoming a valuable service to his family business and the surrounding farming community.  Many people have seen maps that show the biomass-producing potential of areas within the United States, but the real question is how much of it is really available?  Decision Innovation Solutions has, through a private/public/non-profit partnership, produced a free online, regional (11 NE Iowa counties) system which gives potential biomass purchasers the ability to start down the path to answering this question.  The tool accounts for economic, sustainability, and other important factors which inform a search for suitable locations for sourcing biomass.  Participants who want to explore an area within the regional mapping system will learn how to understand their potential for biomass by selecting their own input criteria. Educated in Economics at Utah State University and earning an International MBA in Food and Agribusiness at the Royal Agricultural College in England, Spencer Parkinson is highly experienced in production agriculture with another 12 years on a northern Utah dairy farm.  He is currently Executive Director of Decision Innovation Solutions, and was previously employed as a Research Analyst for the Iowa Farm Bureau.  His experience includes agricultural policy analysis and economic modeling important to our Iowa agriculture.  Mr. Parkinson's lecture will be geared toward demonstrating the on-line tool to the audience, as well as informing attendees of other related analysis tools offered by the company. This system will soon be available for all of Iowa. Limestone Bluffs RC&D in cooperation with Northeast Iowa RC&D, The Driftless Area Initiative and the U.S. Department of Energy is able to offer this distinctive event free of charge to the general public, agricultural producers and towns in its region of Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson and Jones counties.

Tues., Nov. 29, 7 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is hosting a program that will describe the findings from an archeology field school from the summer of 2011.  This program will be held at Wickiup Hill Outdoor LearningCenter near Toddville. Lynn Alex and John Doershuk, Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA), will discuss details of the joint Iowa Archeological Society/OSA 2011 summer archaeological project at Wickiup Hill including results of testing at 13LN85 and the Project Archaeology Workshop.  Donations accepted.