Homegrown: February 2012 Calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events scheduled for February 2012 in Eastern Iowa:

 Wed., Feb. 1, 10 a.m., REAL Walk: Hughes Nursery Museum Tour; Indian Creek Nature Center gives you a unique opportunity to go back to the early 1900's when a local business began. Tour the usually private Hughes Nursery & Landscaping Family Business Museum to see some of the original equipment and furnishings in use when the nursery began in 1908. See horse-drawn forestry equipment and early gasoline engine machinery. Cost is $3 for ICNC members; $4 for non-members. Advance registration is strongly suggested.  Call 319-362-0664 to register and receive driving directions. REAL Walks are designed specifically for adults.

 Fri., Feb. 3, 7 p.m., OWL MOON WALK; Whooo goes there? Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, invites you to stroll under the magic light of an almost full moon. We'll hike to the pine grove to listen and look for owls.  Be prepared to hike outdoors on snowy trails. Cost is $4 for ICNC members; $5 for non-members; $1 for children. Advance registration is strongly suggested.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org

 Sat., Feb. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., WILLOW TOWER WORKSHOP; Willow weaver Mary Kopecky presents a workshop at Indian Creek Nature Center. View a slide presentation of willow garden structures and begin to create your own strong, beautiful seven-foot willow tower. Bring a sack lunch. Cost is $80 for ICNC members; $90 for non-members and includes a $65 materials fee. Advance registration is strongly suggested as the workshop is limited to 15 participants.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

 Mon., Feb. 6, 6-7 p.m.,  Gardening in Small Yards and Containers; Cedar Rapids Public Library, Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Rd. SW, presented by Linn County Master Gardener Judy Stevens. Not having an acreage or a large yard is not an excuse for not raising some of your own vegetables and fruits. In fact a small yard and several containers may be the more efficient way to garden for the busy gardener. Learn techniques and share ideas with other classmates for an informative and fun class. Bring your experiences to share.

 Tues., Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m., Prairie Seed Stomp at Prairiewoods. Prairie seeds are funny-they like cold weather. Learn more about prairie seeds and help Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) add new plants to our 30 acres of tall-grass prairie in a Prairie Seed Stomp. This will be fun for the whole family! Please dress appropriately for the weather, as you will be outside. A free-will offering to support purchasing prairie seeds for Prairiewoods. For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or www.Prairiewoods.org.

Wed., Feb. 8, 6-7 p.m., Daylilies: Beyond ‘Stella – Picking the Very Best,  Hiawatha Public Library, 150 West Willman Street, presented by Linn County Master Gardener Zora Ronan. In this class LCMG and American Hemerocallis Garden Judge Zora Ronan will show you what to look for and how to select the very best daylilies. This class will not cover any basic information.

 Fri., Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Come to the Table: Local Food Summit for Producers & Purchasers, Johnson County ISU Extension, 3109 Old Highway 218 S. Iowa City. FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – Lunch with pre-paid order. Despite its strong agricultural market, Iowa imports most of its food from other states and countries. Event organizers hope to increase the amount of local food bought and sold in Iowa by bringing together state & national food buyers with local food producers. “Come to the Table” aims to expand the local foods market starting with a handshake.   “Consumers are demanding local foods wherever food is served- at their grocery stores, restaurants, and even at catered events,” said Jason Grimm, Food System Planner from Iowa Valley RC&D. “This year's event strives to make it easy for food buyers to connect with local food producers in order to meet that strong and growing demand.”  This marks the second year of the Summit. The Summit is now a full day featuring a panel of local food businesses, formal networking of buyers, farmers and food entrepreneurs and four afternoon workshops. This year's panel of local food businesses and representatives will showcase the many different ways to find, sell and buy local food in the area. Panelists include: 

• Andy Dunham  - Grinnell Heritage Farm
• Dave Burt – Red Avocado Restaurant
• Kelly Crossley – Solon School District
• Rob Marqusee – Woodbury County Rural Economic Development
• Jesse Singerman - Iowa Valley Food Coop
• Ryan Jepsen – Grass Run Farms

This year the Summit will feature formal networking opportunities for buyers and producers. Producers will be provided a table and placard and buyers will be able to rotate around the room to meet farmers and food entrepreneurs one on one. The second half of the networking sessions will include buyers getting the chance to meet with groups of potential local food vendors. Following lunch, participants will be invited to participate in one of 4 workshops. Workshops will be on GAP Certification Programs and Opportunities, Cost of Production and Procurement, Approaching Your Annual Budget to Purchase Local Food, and Menu and Crop planning for Farmers and Buyers.  "Budgeting for procurement of locally-produced food is driven by a strong, principled commitment to our local farmers.  If we believe in supporting and strengthening that commitment over time in the budget projection process, we will find line-item ways of making those relationships mutually profitable.  It's hard, rewarding, refining work.  But when it is priority number one, you make it work," said Scott Koepke, Education Outreach Coordinator at New Pioneer Food Co-op. This year the planning team wanted to expand on last year's successful event by providing opportunities for buyers and producers to meet one on one and holding workshops where successes and challenges can be discussed on current events.   To Register for the Event  Register online at www.iacorridor-localfood.org/localfoodsummit.htm  This event is brought to you by: Iowa Corridor Food & Agriculture Coalition www.iacorridor-localfood.org With support from: New Pioneer Food Coop/ Soilmates, Johnson County Local Food Alliance (JCLFA/Field to Family) Local Harvest Supply, Iowa Valley Food Coop, Iowa Valley RC&D, Prairie Ventures LLC, ISU Extension – Johnson County

 Sat., Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to noon, NATURALIST ADVENTURERS SET UP THE SUGARBUSH. Students in middle and high school are invited to Indian Creek Nature Center to help prepare for maple syrup season. Help us tap trees and get the sugar house ready for syrup making. Wear boots and dress warmly for the outdoors. There is no charge for this program but we ask that you register in advance as the program is limited to 10 participants. Call 319-362-0664 to register.

 Sat., Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m., and Tues., Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Many people believe that things like death, taxes and high utility bills are automatic and there's nothing you can do about them. Not so, says Indian Creek Nature Center.  About 15 years ago, the Center converted from incandescent to fluorescent lighting and added occupancy sensors that automatically turn lights off when not needed.  Electric consumption - and their energy bill - dropped 41%.  “That's real money we saved, and I did the same thing at my home,” said Nature Center Director Rich Patterson. Recently, thanks to grants from Alliant Energy's Bright Lights program the Nature Center took efficiency one step further by replacing obsolete lights with modern Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights.  “They are bright and pleasant and only use a tiny amount of electricity,” says Patterson.  At the same time, the Center replaced older fluorescent tubes with newer, more efficient ones that contain far less mercury. Patterson says, “Nearly every area business and home can significantly save on utility costs by investing in efficient lighting, insulation, furnaces and appliances.” To demonstrate how readily these changes can be made, the Nature Center will host two workshops in February providing specific information on proven techniques that reduce utility bills. The first workshop on Saturday, February 11

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from 2:00-4:00pm is for homeowners, demonstrating changes that will make their homes more energy efficient. The second workshop held Tuesday, February 14

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from 9:00am-3:00pm focuses on small businesses and non-profits, giving instruction on building management techniques and efficient lighting. The workshops are sponsored by the Iowa Energy Center. There is no cost to attend either workshop but pre-registration is required by 4pm on Thursday, February 9

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.   Call 319-362-0664 to register.

 Sun., Feb. 12, 2-4 p.m., Project GREEN & the IC Public Library, Winter Garden Forums, Meeting Room A, IC Public Library, FREE to the public. Zora Ronan, "Daylilies -- All the Pretty Faces"  Zora is a member of and a garden judge for the American Hemerocallis Society.  In this forum, she will explore the many forms, patterns and colors in the daylily world.  She will show you what to look for and how to select the very best daylilies for your garden.  Certificates for three of Zora's special daylilies will be offered as door prizes at this forum!    

 Mon., Feb. 13, 6-7 p.m.,  Raised Bed/Square Foot Gardens,  Cedar Rapids Public Library, Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Rd.; presented by Linn County Master Gardener Wil Carew. Get off the ground, save your back and start gardening closer to your hands and eyes. This class will get you started with the benefits of raised beds, cover the principles, examples of beds, construction techniques, trellis/cloche use, and protecting crops from critters. Square foot gardening in a raised bed will increase your season, decrease weeding, and save time.

 Tues., Feb. 14, 9:30-10:30 a.m., also Feb. 17. PRESCHOOLERS & PARENTS: WINTER WATER WONDERS. Preschoolers and their parents investigate the wonders of winter water – snow and ice – at Indian Creek Nature Center. How does snow actually help plants and animals? Dress for the weather so we can spend some time outside enjoying this beautiful season.  Program  is designed for children aged 3-6 with a parent. Cost is $4 for a member child; $5 for a non-member child; parent/adult is free. Advance registration is strongly recommended. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

 Wed., Feb. 15, 6-7 p.m., Companion Gardening/Insect Control, Hiawatha Public Library, 150 West Willman Street; presented by Linn County Master Gardener Ellen Skripsky. Go Green! Need help? Learn the secrets that Ellen Skripsky, LCMG, knows for vegetables through Companion Gardening, insect controls and common diseases.

 Wed., Feb. 15, 6:30–8 p.m., Green Living Group at Prairiewoods: Local Foods. 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 local food options available in the Cedar Rapids area. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or go to www.prairiewoods.org.

 Sat., Feb. 18, 2012, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm,  2012 Winter Gardening Fair, Presented by the Linn County Extension Master Gardeners at Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW. The Winter Gardening Fair includes over 45 classes and workshops from lawn care, theme gardens, yard art and ponds to mulch, daylilies, backyard wildlife, ornamental grasses and dealing with pests. The keynote presentation is "Creating Habitats for Backyard Wildlife." Tuition for the day is only $49 and includes a box lunch. Visit www.extension.iastate.edu/linn or call Linn County Extension at 319.377.9839 for a complete list of classes and a registration form.

 Sat., Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to noon, TODDLER TRACKS: WINTER WILDLIFE; Explore the wonderful world of winter wildlife through interactive play with your toddler at Indian Creek Nature Center. Feel fuzzy furs, hop like a hare and listen to a story. Bundle up to go on a short, naturalist-led walk.  Activities are repeated so come and go as it works best for you and your child. For children aged 18-36 months accompanied by an adult. Fee: $4/member child; $5/non-member child; adult/free. Advance registration strongly recommended. Call 362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

 Sat., Feb. 18, 2 p.m., BACKYARD CHICKEN BASICS, Interested in keeping backyard chickens? The Indian Creek Nature Center presents a workshop, which will detail the “ins and outs” of legally and successfully keeping hens in urban and suburban environments. Those who complete the workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion required by the City of Cedar Rapids before receiving a permit to keep backyard hens. Fee: $7/members; $10/non-members. Participants must register by 4pm on Thurs. February 16th. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

Sun., Feb. 19, 3 p.m., UI Museum of Natural History hosts Storytime Adventures: Geese. Join the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History for the Spring 2012 Storytime Adventures Series in the museum's Iowa Hall. The free public series features readings geared for elementary school children. Readings will be followed by activities that children can do both at the museum and at home. The UI Museum of Natural History features four permanent galleries exploring natural history and emerging environmental research in Iowa and beyond. For more information call 319-335-0606, email uimnh@uiowa.edu or visit http://www.uiowa.edu/mnh.

Wed., Feb. 22, 6-7 p.m., Starting Garden Transplants At Home,  Hiawatha Public Library 150 West Willman Street. presented by Linn County Master Gardener Zora Ronan. LCMG Zora Ronan will show us how to successfully start our own garden transplants from seed at home.

 Thurs., Feb. 23, 6-7 p.m., Starting Garden Transplants At Home, Cedar Rapids Public Library, Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Rd. SW, presented by Linn County Master Gardener Zora Ronan. LCMG Zora Ronan will show us how to successfully start our own garden transplants from seed at home.

 Sat., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., Ask the Expert: Chickens. Are you raising chickens and have questions you can't seem to get answered? Bring those questions to Indian Creek Nature Center and ask Dr. Darrell Trampel, Iowa State poultry extension veterinarian. Dr. Trampel answers poultry health questions from producers, backyard hobbyists and veterinarians and he'll answer yours. Fee: $3/members; $4/non-members. Advanced registration required by 4PM on Thursday, February 23 Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

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Sat., Feb. 25, 1 p.m., HUNGRY FOR A CHANGE: FOOD, ETHICS & SUSTAINABILITY; Join a six-week discussion series at Indian Creek Nature Center focusing on food systems and our relationships to them. Examine the impact food choices have on our health and that of our planet. Consider the ethical and political implications of our food system and our personal food choices.  The series begins on Saturday, February 25www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

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and continues for the next five consecutive Saturdays. A discussion book is required and included in the cost of the full course. Cost is $50 for individuals or $60 for partners sharing a book.  Advance registration is required by 4pm on Wednesday, February 22nd.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at

Sat., Feb. 25, 1 p.m., WINTER BUG ACADEMY, Joe and Christopher Zito invite you to an outdoor winter insect foray at Indian Creek Nature Center to look for over-wintering insects like snow fleas, active winter stoneflies and craneflies!. See an indoor presentation on how insects survive winter and deal with the cold but come dressed to go outdoors, too! Open to all adults and children aged 8 and up. Fee: $4/member adult; $5/non-member adults; $3/children. Advanced registration strongly recommended. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

Sat., Feb. 25,  9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Matthew 25 Tool Library helps local youth find reward in running own business. The Matthew 25 Tool Library, located at 225 K Avenue NW, will be offering a class to local youth on how to start up their own lawn mowing business. Participants of the Start Your Own Lawn Mowing Business class will learn about marketing a business, budgeting and tracking business receipts, and the repair and upkeep of a lawn mower. The class will be taught by volunteers and staff members of Matthew 25 Ministry Hub with experience in marketing, business operations, and small engine repair. There is a $5 registration fee for all class participants. “I believe the students will benefit from this class by gaining a better understanding of budgeting, work ethic, self-propelled motivation, and providing a beneficial service for others,” said Heidi Cejka, Tool Librarian for Matthew 25 Ministry Hub. The Matthew 25 Tool Library loans out a variety of hand and power tools for various home maintenance and lawn and gardening projects. Monthly and annual memberships with the Tool Library are available to Cedar Rapids area residents for a sliding scale fee based on household size and annual income. Registration prior to the class date can be arranged through email sent to tools@hub25.org, or by calling the Matthew 25 Tool Library at 319-491-4466.                                 

Mon. Feb. 27, 6-7 p.m., New & Unusual Perennials for 2012 Cedar Rapids Public Library Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Rd. SW. presented by Linn County Master Gardener Deb Walser. Deb Walser, LCMG, introduces you to some new and unusual perennials and talks about new ways to add spunk to your garden.

Wed., Feb. 29, 6-7 p.m., New & Unusual Perennials for 2012, Hiawatha Public Library, 150 West Willman Street. presented by Linn County Master Gardener Deb Walser. Deb Walser, LCMG, introduces you to some new and unusual perennials and talks about new ways to add spunk to your garden.