Homegrown: November Calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events coming to Eastern Iowa in November 2010:

Mon. Nov. 1, 2:15-3:15 p.m., Trees Forever needs volunteers to help Erskine Elementary School students plant a grove of native Iowa trees at their school, 600 36th St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes if possible, and wear gloves. Volunteers do not need to have special skills or training and all ages are welcome. Volunteers can bring shovels and other tools, but should mark them clearly with their names. Please register with Karen Brook if you would like to attend this event. Rain Date: Thursday, November 4, 2:15-3:15 pm (volunteers can come 30 minutes early to help with set-up) Contact: Karen Brook, (319) 373-0650 ext. 14, kbrook@treesforever.org This planting is sponsored by Alliant Energy and has been organized in cooperation with Erskine Elementary School.

Wed. Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, REAL Walk. Did you know the unique fruits and seeds you notice on a fall walk and many of the items you munch on from the grocery store's produce section are ice age orphans? REAL walkers (adults aged 50 or better) at the Indian Creek Nature Center will learn the unique stories of co-evolution among fruits, seeds and animals, take a walk to see what partnerships continue and then return to the barn for coffee and conversation. Cost is $3 for ICNC members; $4 for non-members.  For more information or to register, call 362-0664. Program will be moved inside in case of inclement weather.

Thurs., Nov. 4, 7 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is holding a Night Prairie Burn at Matsell Bridge Natural Area near Viola.   Natural Resource Specialist Dana Kellogg and resource Manager Aaron Batchelder will light up the night sky with a spectacular prairie fire. Observe the dramatic management practice of prairie burning to renew the prairie at Matsell Bridge Natural Area. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Beringer Lane, to learn more about controlled prairie fires. Follow the signs from Viola on County Home Road. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under or $5/family.

Sat., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department and the Cedar Amateur Astronomers are holding an astronomy program at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center near Mt Vernon.  The Cedar Amateur Astronomers will explore a fascinating characteristic of physics is that the answers it provides for certain eternal questions get reprised with each new physical theory. An excellent example is provided by that most basic question of the cosmic motion of our own Earth. Many people are aware of the progress of astronomical inquiry into this question until the time of Galileo and Newton, but the ways this question has further evolved, received less general attention. For example, it is not widely appreciated that certain aspects of Einstein's approach to motion, inspired by Mach, are not consistent with the Galilean doctrine of “eppur si muove.” Professor Kenneth Gayley, Univ. of IA, will explore the motion of the Earth, and in the process, explore the meaning of astronomical knowledge. Weather permitting, the presentation will be followed by telescope viewing. Donations welcome.

Sun., Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., A Taste of Home Holiday Sample Fair, New Pioneer Coop in Coralville. New Pi Coralville (map) Create some magic this season by setting your holiday table with foods from Iowa. Come sample favorites from throughout the area, hear live music, and check out fun demonstrations. Everyone is welcome!

Mon., Nov. 8, 7 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, Iowa filmmaker, Kevin Railsback, presents a series of short films ranging in subject from Africa's great plains to Iowa's prairies.  These films showcase the beauty of nature in hopes that people will raise their voices to save what is left before it's too late. “There is a war going on against nature and wildlife,” says Railsback. “Behind closed doors, deals are made, laws are passed and nature often comes out on the losing end against power and greed.” Railsback will discuss his filming techniques and answer questions. Featured films will include The River; Africa: A Moment in Time; The Prairie; Silent Kingdom; Wild No More and others. The event is free and open to the public.

Mon. Nov. 8, 7 p.m., Kirkwood Community College, Ballantyne Auditorium, Connections program. For generation upon generation, the chimpanzees of Senegal have lived in harmony alongside humans. However, today as human populations increase, climate changes and resources become scarce, competition and conflict ensue. This free forum will feature Kelly Boyer of Iowa State University, speaking on the Fongoli Savanna Chimpanzee Project. The project is facing the diverse challenges of chimpanzee conservation, from goat-stealing chimpanzees in the west to those displaced by international metal mining concessions in the east. This presentation will discuss behavioral research from the acclaimed Fongoli field site, the chimpanzee/mining project, the human/chimpanzee conflict reduction study and an education program across the region. Participating partners include Kirkwood Community College, the Linn County Conservation Department, Cedar Rapids Washington and Kennedy High Schools, Coe College, Cornell College, Mt. Mercy University, Cedar Valley Rocks and Minerals Society, Audubon and Sierra Club. More information on the Connections series is available from Dennis Goemaat at Linn County Conservation Department. Phone: 319-892-6454, dennis.goemaat@linncounty.org

Tues., Nov. 9, 5-7 p.m., The Iowa Valley RC&D hosts its 3www.ivrcd.org or at the RC&D office located at 920 48

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annual Local Food Dinner & Fundraiser, at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 E. Boyson Road, Hiawatha. The Iowa Valley RC&D is a non-profit organization located in Amana, Iowa that serves the counties of Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek and Tama. The event begins at 5 pm with a social gathering, silent auction, and entertainment by the Grinnell band “The Too Many String Band”.  Dinner will begin at 6 pm and will highlight foods provided by local producers and gardeners.  The auction includes a pheasant hunting trip for 4 to a shooting preserve near Montezuma, a quarter  of grass-fed beef, beautiful artwork, local hotel stays, and local beer and wine packages.  Auction item donations are being received by the RC&D and all donations are welcome.  All proceeds go to support and continue the work of the Iowa Valley RC&D in the 6-county area with projects that include local food system efforts, scenic byways, roadside vegetation inventories, and small business development. If you need accommodations, please notify Lori Schrodemier or Peter Hoehnle by October 29, 2010 by calling 319-622-3264.Event tickets can be purchased online at

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Ave. in Amana.  Tickets are $25 per person or $45 for two.

Tues., Nov. 9, 7 p.m., Environmental Film Fest, Film: A Thousand Suns at Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist, 600 Third Avenue SE. Sponsor: UN – USA: Linn County Chapter. Discussion with Reverend Tom Cappo following the film.

Sat., Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Environmental Film Fest, Coe College's Kesler Auditorium, Hickok Hall 1220 First Ave. NE. All of the films are free, and there will also be free popcorn.

Film: Spirit of the Trees @ 10:30am

Sponsor: Trees Forever

Speaker and discussions during the film.

Film: In the Light of Reverence @ 1:30pm

Sponsor: Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center/Linn County Conservation

Film: Garbage Dreams @ 2:30pm

Sponsor: Sierra Club

Recycling Q & A after the film.

Film: The Long March @ 4:30pm

Sponsor: Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Attend and receive ½ off Museum exhibit admission

Film: King Corn @ 5:30pm

Sponsor: Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center

Popcorn with filmmaker, Ian Cheney - 6:30pm

Film: Big River @ 7:00pm

Sponsor: Coe College

Join the conversation as Ian Cheney and Coe Professor, Marty St. Clair anchor a panel discussion about water in Iowa – 8:30pm

Mon., Nov. 15, 6-7:30 pm, 1505 Seamans Center, University of Iowa. DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS, Turning an Iowa Farm Toward Organic Production. Harn Soper, President of Soper Farms in Emmetsburg, Iowa, will discuss how Soper farms, a 1000 acres traditional corn/soybean 6th generation family farm is going “Back to the future” toward large-scale organic food production. Sponsored by the UI School of Urban & Regional Planning.

 Tues., Nov. 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m., “King Corn” film screening followed by panel discussion at Kirkwood Community College in the Lecture Hall of the Horticulture Building (visit http://www.kirkwood.edu/maincampus for map.) The Carl & Mary Koehler History Center is sponsoring the event. “King Corn” was made by two recent college grads living on the East Coast. The pair moves to Iowa so they can grow one acre of corn. During the cycle of planting, growing, and harvesting, they discover what it takes farm and what happens to all that corn once it is taken to the grain elevator. Following the film, three people connected to farming will present their views on corn. Free.

Nov. 16-18, Grinnell College,  “Corn Belts: Iowa and International Agriculture.” The agricultural commodity that has long dominated Iowa and makes the state the leading U.S. producer will be the focus of an interdisciplinary symposium. The program will offer international experts on the nature of “king corn” and its dominance in world markets as the leading crop by weight. The symposium is co-sponsored by Grinnell's Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations and Human Rights, the Center for Prairie Studies, the Center for International Studies, and the Luce Program in Nations and the Global Environment.   While corn is generally considered a food product, less than three percent of the U.S. crop is directly consumed by humans; 43 percent is fed to livestock, 30 percent goes to ethanol manufacture, eight percent to sweeteners or starch, and 15 percent to export.  “The supply and demand for corn touches on such diverse areas as climate change, biodiversity, intellectual property, and obesity,” said Jon Andelson, director of the college's Center for Prairie Studies. “The symposium will look critically at the treadmill of production and the consequences of our dependence on corn.”

            The Corn Belts symposium will include the following free, public events:

• Tues., Nov. 16, 7 p.m.: Kendall Lamkey, chair of the agronomy department at Iowa State University, will lay the groundwork for the symposium with “The Origin, Production and Utilization of Corn.”
• Wed., Nov. 17, 4:15 p.m.: Two speakers will provide international viewpoints-Daniela Soleri of the University of California at Santa Barbara on “Views from the Campo: Traditional Maize Agriculture in Oaxaca, Mexico,” and Carmen Martinez Novo, John R. Heath Professor of Social Sciences at Grinnell, on “Notes on Subsistence Agriculture and Food Sovereignty in Ecuador.”
• Wed., Nov. 17, 7 p.m.: C. Ford Runge, Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Applied Economics and Law at the University of Minnesota, will discuss trade implications in “Rivers of Gold: Where Does Corn Flow and Does it Make Sense?”  Runge is also the subdirector in charge of commodities and trade policy at the university's Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy.
• Thurs., Nov. 18, 11 a.m.: The Scholars' Convocation, “Corn: Africa's Story in Four Acts,” will be delivered by James McCann, who leads research in Africa on the link between malaria and maize cultivation.  McCann also writes about agricultural and environmental history and has consulted for humanitarian and civil rights organizations worldwide. His books include “Maize and Grace: Africa's Encounter with a New World Crop,” “Green Land, Brown Land, Black Land: An Environmental History of Africa,” and “People of the Plow: An Agricultural History of Ethiopia.” 
• Thurs., Nov. 18, 4:15 p.m.: A panel discussion on “The Business of Corn” will include Matias Mino Navarette of the Monsanto corn processing facility near Grinnell; Craig Lang, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau; local farmer Mark Dimit; and  Jon Andelson, moderator.
• Thurs., Nov. 18, 7 p.m.: Fred Kirschenmann, former director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, will close the symposium with perspectives on  “Corn and the Sustainability of Iowa Agriculture.”

All symposium events will be held in Room 101 of the Joe Rosenfield '25 Center on the Grinnell College campus, unless otherwise noted. For more information about the symposium, contact Sarah Purcell, purcelsj@grinnell.edu, 641-269-3091, or Jon Andelson, andelson@grinnell.edu, 641-269-3139.

Sat., Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, Outdoor Gear Auction. Sample great homemade chili and bid on a variety of gently used camping, hiking, boating and gardening gear while supporting the Sierra Club and Indian Creek Nature Center.  Great bargains for savvy bidders! Lunch and bidding begin at 11AM; bidding closes at 12:30PM. Cost for lunch is $6/adults; $3/children. Beginning November 1

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, the Nature Center welcomes donations of gently used outdoor gear for the auction but please call 319-362-0664 before bringing items to the Nature Center.

Sat., Nov. 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is holding a basket weaving workshop at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Participants will create a piece of history by making a 7" X10" basket using a pattern from an antique Amana sewing basket. This will make a perfect holiday gift to give to someone special or keep for yourself. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish to share of lunch. An example basket is at Wickiup Hill. Preregister by November 9. Call 892-6485 to preregister or to ask for more information. Cost is $42 per basket.

Sun., Nov. 21, 2-4 p.m. Backyard Abundance Prairie Planting Workshop at Willowwind School in Iowa City. Tired of mowing? Want to add beauty to your landscape while improving the health of our environment? Learn from Willowwind students and local experts about the many benefits of prairie gardens. At this fun workshop, we will seed a large area of prairie at the school. You will learn about: The environmental value of prairie and rain gardens; easily and organically preparing and seeding a new prairie bed; caring for a prairie. A prairie plant seed swap will be held at the end of the event. You will receive handouts and catalogs about establishing and caring for prairies. Snacks will be provided. While hands-on activities are optional, your learning will be enhanced if you bring a steel rake, gloves, and jeans for implementing the prairie. If you would like to take home prairie seeds, bring any seeds you have to share and a small plastic bags. Pre-registration and a $10 donation are requested, but you can also pay at the event. See: www.BackyardAbundance.org

Tues., Nov. 23, 12:30 p.m., Jones Regional Education Center, Kirkwood Community College, 220 Welter Dr., Monticello, Informational Meeting Regarding Grants for Value Added Ag Projects. The Farm Bill includes funding for Value Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants.  Independent producers of agricultural commodities can apply for a grant to develop business plans for viable marketing opportunities or to pay normal expenses associated with a value added Ag venture.  Applicants are required to match the grant award with non-federal funds. The grants can be used to conduct feasibility studies, develop business plans, develop marketing plans, or conduct other types of studies to help establish a viable value-added business venture. The grants can also be used to establish working capital accounts to operate the venture and pay the normal expenses associated with the operation of the venture. Examples of previous grant recipients in Iowa include wineries, cheese and milk processors, specialty meat producers, plus many other value-added opportunities.   Guest speakers include Norm Brus, USDA Rural Development Cooperative Specialist, Al Beach, Kirkwood SBDC, and Tom Miller, Limestone Bluffs RC&D Area, Inc. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like more information or if you need special accommodations, please contact Limestone Bluffs RC&D at 563-652-5104.