Homegrown: August 2011 Calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events happening in Eastern Iowa this month:

Wed., Aug. 3, 10 a.m.,  REAL Walk: Farming in Iowa Prior to Euramerican Settlement, Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, for people age 50 and up. Our European ancestors were not the first to till Iowa's rich soil. Join us for a discussion of American Indian farming practices in Iowa. Includes a walk to identify native plants important to American Indians. M: $3, NM: $4.

Wed., August 3, 7 p.m., American Meat will kickoff its Iowa screening tour at the historic Englert Theatre of Iowa City. The screening will begin  at 7pm and follow at 8:30pm with a panel discussion with Francis Thicke, Dave Murphy and Lisa Stokke of Food Democracy Now!, Jason Grimm of Iowa Valley Food Coop and Director Graham Meriwether. Tickets are $10 for the movie and can be purchased online at: http://www.englert.org/ Before the screening, at 6pm, the gallery room of the Englert will be open for a catered dinner featuring local food in finger food form. Local meats and vegetables will be featured from Devotay, Atlas and other local restaurants. Tickets for the pre-screening dinner are $20.

Sat., Aug. 6, 10 a.m., Small Wind Options, Fontana Park Nature Center Classroom in Hazleton and turbine tour of Buchanan County. Have you considered wind generation on your property?  Have you noticed the increasing number of turbines on Buchanan, Bremer and Black Hawk county farms?  Before (or after) you take the next step and speak with a salesperson, wouldn't you like to hear from current turbine owners about what is working well for them and what questions you should be sure to ask?  If so, this workshop is for you.  We will begin with a basic Q&A session at Fontana Park and then move out to tour local sites with operating turbines.  Please pre-register by email at fontanapark@iowatelecom.net or by phone at 319-636-2617. Do you have experiences you would like to share about your turbine?  We would love to hear from additional landowners about their experiences and be able to share both positive and learning aspects of turbine ownership.  Please contact Sondra Cabell at fontanapark@iowatelecom.net or 319-636-2617 to get more information and share your story. 

Sat., Aug. 6, 12:30 p.m., Following the Iowa City Farmers' Market on Saturday, there will be a 12:30pm screening of American Meat in the Illinois Room of the University of Iowa Student Union building. Tickets will be $10. Every person who purchases a ticket will receive a burrito buck, redeemable for a free burrito at Chipotle. Panel discussion following starts at 2pm. Screening #2: There will be a 6:30 pm screening of American Meat in the Illinois Room of the University of Iowa Student Union building. Tickets will be $10. Every person who purchases a ticket will receive a burrito buck, redeemable for a free burrito at Chipotle. Panel discussion following starts at 8pm.

Additional information on Facebook and twitter pages http://www.facebook.com/AmericanMeat, http://www.twitter.com/AmericanMeat

Sat., Aug. 6, 4:45 p.m., Aldo Leopold documentary, free screening during Hoover's Hometown Days, West Branch. One of several “green” events during the celebration. For more information: www.hoovershometowndays.org

Sunday, Aug. 7, 4 to 7 p.m., Abbe Hills Farm open house. A growing number of consumers today want to know where and how their food is grown.  Mt. Vernon farmer Laura Krouse wants to show them. Abbe Hills Farm covers 72 acres and produces food for 200 families through its community supported agriculture (CSA) garden, an arrangement in which consumers purchase a share of the produce harvested and receive regular deliveries of fresh vegetables throughout the growing season. She also raises open-pollinated corn and has implemented many environmental conservation practices. Krouse will be giving a tour of her vegetable gardens and high tunnel. As part of the tour, she will talk about several conservation and water-quality practices in use on the farm and describe how she is using two different-sized tine weeders she purchased this spring.  She will also lead a discussion about sustainability in agriculture and the importance of understanding seasonality in our food choices. Krouse will provide fresh sweet corn and Dan Specht will be providing samples of grass fed beef from his Prairie Quest Farm near McGregor. This free event is open to the public and is part of Practical Farmers of Iowa's field day schedule. The 26-year-old organization is holding more than 30 field day this summer and fall to advance profitable, ecologically sound and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture. Directions to the farm: Abbe Hills Farm Open House and Sweet Corn Feed is located one mile northwest of Mt. Vernon, at 825 Abbe Hills Road. From Mt. Vernon, take X20 (8th Ave.) north out of town 1 mile. Turn left (west) onto Abbe Hills Road. The farm is about 1 mile west of the intersection. From Cedar Rapids, take Mt. Vernon Road southeast to Abbe Hills Road, which intersects near the Community Bible Church. Turn left (east) on Abbe Hills Road. 

Fri., Aug. 12, 7 p.m., Prairie Potpourri Walk, Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Enjoy an evening filled with a riot of smells, sounds and sights from the summer prairie. Stroll through grasses to find flowers and fascinating insects while enjoying grassland birdsong. Use all your senses to explore this fascinating historic habitat. M: $3, M Family: $7, NM: $5, NM Family: $12.

Sat., Aug. 13, 3-6 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department and the Cedar Amateur Astronomers are hosting a program to observe The Sun at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center (EIOLC) near Mt Vernon.  Carl Braken will explore the latest solar observing techniques and mission updates that take place everyday.  We will also show case modern user friendly solar telescopes and safe observing practices.  Weather permitting, direct solar observation will follow the presentation.  Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and properly filtered telescopes are required! Visit Cedar-Astronomers.org for more details. The EIOLC is located south of Mt Vernon off Hwy 1.  Just south of theCedar RiverBridge, turn left ontoIvanhoe Roadand go about two miles to the observatory entrance.  Donations are welcome.

Wed., Aug. 17, 6:30–8 p.m. at Prairiewoods, 120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha. Green Living Group: Transportation/Energy. The Green Living Group meets the third Wednesday of every month. 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. Participants may join at any time and are encouraged to use this group for educational purposes as well as for an ongoing support system for happy and healthy green living. This month's focus is transportation and energy. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact Emy Sautter at Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or go to www.prairiewoods.org.

Wed.,  Aug. 17, 7- 8 PM, compost management, Earth Source Garden directions.  Turn pulled weeds and spent garden plants into fertile soil by making compost! Join Loren Leach and friends as they manage the ambitious compost program at Earth Source Garden. Join the fun for a hands-on learning experience. Sponsored by New Pioneer Food Co-op.

Thurs., Aug. 18., 7-8:30 p.m., A budding workshop will be held at the ISU Scott County Extension Office in Bettendorf. The instructor will be Patrick O'Malley, Commercial Horticulturist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The workshop will begin with a presentation overview of grafting methods with an emphasis on chip budding and t-budding. Chip budding is the primary method that ornamental and fruit nurseries use for propagating specific cultivars.  This will be followed by a demonstration and hands on practice by the participants of the budding techniques using a variety of plant materials including plum, pear, and apple. Knives, practice plant material, and grafting supplies will be provided, however rootstocks will not be available.  Those participants that may have rootstocks are welcome to bring them to the class. The workshop has a $10 fee that can be paid at the beginning of the class.  To reserve a spot, email Patrick O'Malley at omall@iastate.edu or call Johnson County extension Office at 319-337-2145.

Fri. Aug. 19, 4-6 pm, Buds will have a community garden open house in Cedar Rapids. Representatives will be available to share details about community gardens and answer questions. The gardens highlighted will be: Alliance Church – 1622 42

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St. NE; Matthew 25 Urban Farm – 1430 Ellis Blvd NW; NeighborhoodChurch– 701 25

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St NE; Olivet Neighborhood Mission– 230 10

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St NW; WellingtonHeights– 392 15

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St SE and Horizons – 819 5

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St SE.

Tues.,  Aug. 23, 6:30-8:30 pm, The Iowa Master Gardener program is offering the second annual Summer Webinar Series: Garden Natives & Invasives 2011. Iowa State University Extension county offices are hosting these gardening webcast programs. Please note that the nearest participating location is the Linn County Extension Office, which is located at 3279 7Native Friends and Invading Forces, the final session of the series, will highlight the importance of native species and discuss the problems and related issues with invasive species in Iowa. An attempt will be made to define the elusive terms “native” and “invasive.” Participants will learn about appropriate and inappropriate uses of native materials, and also tips on selection of plant materials for use in landscapes with a better chance of not overstaying or overgrowing their welcome. Because gardening success is often largely dependent on choosing materials to fit planting sites that are adapted, an exploration of reasonable site adaptations will be included in the session. The program will help tie together information that has been presented in earlier programs in the series and will be presented by Rich Pope, Harrison County Extension Coordinator from Logan, Iowa. Contact your county extension office for more information about Iowa Master Gardeners or the webinar series by emailing mkenyonb@iastate.edu or calling (319) 377-9839.

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Ave, Suite 140 Marion.

Tues., Aug. 23, 6:30–8 p.m. at Prairiewoods, Earth-Friendly Lawn Care. Learn how to have a great-looking, neighbor-pleasing lawn and still be earth-friendly during this class at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha). Master Gardener Phil Pfister will help participants explore the various techniques used to maintain an earth-friendly lawn, including responsible use of chemicals. This is a repeat of a popular class held in May, so don't miss this chance to take part in a great class! Cost is $5. For more information or to register, please contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or go to www.prairiewoods.org.

Sat., Aug. 27, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Brucemore Garden and Art Show, More than 60 artists and garden vendors located around the estate will share their expertise by showcasing unique products, vivid presentations, and pertinent information, including ceramics, plantings, jewelry, sculpture, glass, textiles, and more. Demonstrations and lectures on a variety of garden and art topics will occur throughout the day on the festival's main stage. All tickets are sold at the gate the day of the event - no advance tickets available. Admission is $6.00 per person. Children 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is off-site. Shuttle service is available from Washington High School throughout the day. Handicap parking is available on-site by entering the First Avenue gate only. No pets, coolers, or outside food allowed during the event. Food and beverage vendors will be available on-site.

Sat., Aug. 27, 9 a.m. to noon;  Cedar Valley Iris and Daylily Club plant will have their annual late summer sale.  The plant sale will be held at Riverside Gardens, 441 E 3rd Street, Monticello.  Named cultivar, provide by club members, will be available at reasonable prices.

Sat., Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is hosting the first Native American Cultural Day – Bringing Back Tradition at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center will be highlighting Native American traditions during a cultural celebration that will include the Brown Otter Singers from the Meskwaki Settlement and Native American artists.  This event is funded through Humanities Iowa. Historically, a few Meskwaki families spent the winter months camped along the Cedar River north ofCedar Rapidsin an area that has been called Wickiup Hill for generations. Today, the Linn County Conservation Department manages this area for recreation and education. Wickiup is the Meskwaki word for the type of house used during the winter camping season. Activities during the day include dance exhibitions in which the public will be asked to participate. There will also be demonstrations of fry bread making, wood carving, flute playing, storytelling, and hand drum making. Dancing and singing demonstrations will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Artists will have booths from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Artist demonstrations will take place at Noon, 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.   Cost for the event is $5.00 per or $2.50/adult, $1/child16 and under. For more information, contact Gail Barels at 319-892-6485. Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center is located at10260 Morris Hills Road, south of  Toddville. 

Sat., Aug. 27, 1 pm, Monarch tagging, Bryantsburg Prairie 2 miles south of Hazleton on Hwy 150. Buchanan County Conservation has helped in this Citizen Science program for 11 years and in that time participants have tagged nearly 6,000 monarchs on their way to their wintering grounds in Mexico.  Of those, at least 121 have been recovered in Mexico.  That means if you participate and help tag, you have about a 1 in 50 chance of having your butterfly recovered.   Join us during the fall migration at a location to be determined by nectaring flowers attractive to monarchs, to catch, tag and release these tiny travelers.  Nets and tags will be provided.   Pre-registration is required, call 319-636-2617 or email fontanapark@iowatelecom.net.   There is a registration fee of $3 per person or $7 per family.  If the weather cooperates, we can tag 100-200 butterflies in an hour.

 Mon., Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m.,

Women Marketing Grain Clubs Kick-off Meeting, Washington County Extension office, 2223 250Women Marketing Grain Clubs provide an outlet for women to focus on marketing and learn from other women about contracts and marketing opportunities in their area. ISU Extension is offering programs in three locations in Iowa on August 29 and 30 as a kick-off for marketing clubs that will meet through the winter. This program is made possible by a grant through the North Central Risk Management Education Center. The Clubs are an expansion of a successful marketing club started in Hardin County and a Women Marketing Grain Series held in Southwest Iowa. The kick-off meetings will include post-harvest marketing strategies and grain market outlook. Women are encouraged to attend to learn about marketing for the 2012 grain year and learn more regarding the club meetings during the winter months.  There is no cost for this meeting, however, to make sure we have enough materials and handouts please pre-register by calling the Washington County Extension office at 319-653-4811.

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Street, Washington, Iowa.