Homegrown Lifestyle course

Iowa State University Extension is offering a series of classes with a name close to my heart.

Homegrown Lifestyle is a 12-week course that helps Iowans on acreages or small farms learn how to produce food for their own use while practicing good land stewardship.

Johnson County is one of three places selected to host the program, along with Dallas and Woodbury counties.

Gene Mohling, regional extension education director, said this is the first time the program has been offered.

The class has a limit of 25 people. At last check, the Johnson County site was not yet full.

Here is more about the program from ISU Extension:

AMES, Iowa -- As grass turns green and spring flowers begin to bloom, some Iowans start to wonder just what else might grow on their little parcel of land. People living on a large lot or a small acreage may have visions of producing food for their own use and practicing natural resource stewardship, but they don't know how or where to start.

 To get interested smallholders and acreage owners off to a good start, Iowa State University Extension is offering Homegrown Lifestyle, a 12-week course, in three communities this spring. Dallas, Johnson and Woodbury counties have been selected to host the program for those who are eager to reconnect to the land and understand more fully where their food comes from.   Beginning April 7, ISU Extension educators will make weekly presentations via webinar and local extension staff will conduct related hands-on experiences during each session. “This will be a whirlwind tour of all the topics smallholders need to consider when trying to build a sustainable personal farmscape” said Andy Larson, ISU Extension small farm specialist and Homegrown Lifestyle co-leader.   Webinar classes will be held Thursday evenings, 6:30-9:30 p.m. with three locally scheduled half day Saturday tours (Saturdays TBA). 

 April Homegrown Lifestyle topics are related to stewarding the landscape, including designing the landscape and managing water, soil and energy. Growing food - vegetables, fruits, edible landscapes, and food storage and preservation - are May topics. June agenda items are related to raising livestock, everything from pastures and prairies to sheep, goats, meat birds and eggs to wildlife management and apiary.

Homegrown Lifestyle will bring campus and local experts together in an educational setting and help us meet the demand for more information about growing, raising and preserving food for personal consumption. The course combines basic information on a wide range of topics with practical application, local tours and workshops to offer a complete educational experience.

 In the Iowa City area the class will be held at the Johnson County Extension Office, 4265 Oak Crest Hill RD SE (located on the county fairgrounds).   Cost of the program is $149. Registration can be made by contacting the Johnson County Extension Office. In Johnson County, contact Amy Heims at 319-337-2145

aheims@iastate.edu or Gene Mohling

mohling@iastate.edu