Homegrown: January 2011 Calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events coming to Eastern Iowa in January 2011. If you know of other events, please submit the information in a comment.

Tues., Jan 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Voluntary Simplicity. Join Prairiewoods Spirituality Center and the Indian Creek Nature Center for a six-week discussion course that introduces various aspects of simple living. Begin with a free, no-obligation preview discussion of simplicity principles  January 4 at Prairiewoods Spirituality Center, 120 East Boyson Road, Hiawatha. Following the introductory session, small group discussions will occur on January 11th, 18th, and 25th, and February 1st, and 8th.

The Meaning of Simplicity; Living More with Less; Making a Living; Do You Have the Time; and Living Simply on Earth. A discussion course book is required and is included in the series fee. Call the Indian Creek Nature Center at 362-0664 to register for either group.  Series fee is $50 (including workbook) for individuals; $60 for couples (sharing a workbook). Register with a friend and share a book to reduce your cost!

An afternoon discussion group will meet at 2 pm on these dates at the Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, and an evening group will meet at 6:30pm on the same dates at Prairiewoods. 

Topics include:

Wed., Jan. 5, 10 a.m., REAL Walk, Winter Adaptations, Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE. Iowa is a challenging place to live in the winter and far fewer animals hibernate than you probably suppose.  Come to the Indian Creek Nature Center on Wednesday, January 5th to take a REAL walk in the woods to learn about the amazing adaptations and behaviors birds and mammals use to survive the cold. Warm up with coffee and conversation afterwards. REAL walks are geared for adults aged 50 or better.

Cost is $3 for ICNC members; $4 for non-members.  For more information or to register, call 362-0664.

Wed. Jan. 5, 2-4 p.m., Early dismissal fun: Winter Native American Skills, Indian Creek Nature Center. Join the Indian Creek Nature Center for an afternoon of fascinating outdoor fun.  Create a quinzhee – an Athabaskan Native American snow shelter and learn to use snowshoes, another Native American winter activity. Enjoy a hot chocolate break and learn more about Native American winter culture.  Wear warm outdoor clothes and boots and bring a snow shovel for great winter fun.  This program is appropriate for children aged 8 and up and will repeat on Monday, January 17th. Space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Program fee is $5/ICNC members; $8/non-members. For more information or to register, call 362-0664.

Fri. Jan. 7- Sat. Jan. 8, Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference, Marshalltown Community College,  “Redefining Fence Row to Fence Row.” The conference will feature keynote speakers Mike and Sharon Barton who operate a 350-acre beef-finishing farm in the Lake Taupo Basin area of New Zealand. The Bartons will share their experiences of farming in a country without agricultural subsidies in this year's keynote address, “Farming Without Subsidies: New Zealand's Journey.” Twenty-two other in-depth workshops will cover topics from “scaling up your vegetable operation” to “pasture fencing and watering basics” on Friday to “vegetable equipment” and “the future of farming” on Saturday. The conference is open to the public and registrations are being taken now. Registrations also will be taken at the door. Participants can register online at http://practicalfarmers.org/events/annual-conference.html or by contacting Suzi at 515.232.5661 or suzi@practicalfarmers.org.

NOTE: This has been postponed to Sat., Jan. 15: Sat., Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, The Linn County Conservation Department is holding a Bird Banding Program at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Winter conditions draw a large number of birds to the feeders at Wickiup Hill.  Rob Bradley will be banding birds caught near these feeders. Large numbers of goldfinches, woodpeckers, cardinals and other birds can be observed. Birds are banded indoors so close-up views of feather colors and behaviors can be seen. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.

Tues., Jan. 11, 7-8:30 p.m., Growing in High Tunnels, Practical Farmers of Iowa online webinars, called “farminars.” To register and participate in the farminars, visit www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar. Any computer with an Internet connection can be used to participate in a Farminar, which provides a “Fish Bowl” view of a beginning farmer learning from a more experienced farmer. Participants watch the exchange in real time via the Internet and can ask additional questions not covered by the beginner at any time throughout the farminar. Adam Montri, Outreach Specialist for Michigan State University, and operator of Ten Hen Farms, a year-round farm near Bath, MI, will share how to grow crops well in high tunnels, manage for pests, fertility and rotations. Beginning farmer Sara Hanson is putting the finishing touches on a hoophouse of her own in northern Iowa.

Sat., Jan. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., “Not A Lot of Plot,” Indian Creek Nature Center. Food recalls…contamination scares…factory farms.  More people today want to know where their food comes from and how it got to their table.  It doesn't take a lot of land to produce safe, healthy food for you and your family.  Join the Indian Creek Nature Center for a day-long workshop on the how-to's and what-to's of sustainable “backyard” agriculture. Workshops will include hands-on information on growing small fruits with master gardener Phil Pfister; utilizing “square-foot gardening” and raised beds with master gardener Tony Arduini; managing rainwater runoff  using raingardens with naturalist David Brenzel and harvesting wild foods from your yard with Nature Center director Rich Patterson. Keynote speaker Bryant Moroder will discuss strategies and activities for individuals and municipalities to develop and implement sustainable solutions.  Moroder, former director of Sustain Dane, led the effort in Madison, Wisconsin, to implement the Natural Step framework in city operations, management, projects and policies to reduce the city's environmental footprint.  Moroder also co-founded the North American Eco-Municipality Network and RainReserve Rain Barrel program.  He currently is principal and founder of Sustainable Resource Group LLC in Madison which supports the city's involvement in the Solar America Cities program and the sustainable redevelopment of the Capital East District, a 200-acres brownfield area. Complete topic descriptions are detailed in the “Not A Lot of Plot” brochure in the Public Programs section at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Program beings at 9:30am. Cost is $15 for ICNC members, $18 for non-members.  Those interested in attending should register as seating is limited to 50 persons. Bring a brown bag lunch. Call (319) 362-0664 to reserve your spot or email: NatureCenter@Indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Sat., Jan. 15, 10 a.m. to noon, The Linn Area Photo Club and the Linn County Conservation Department are holding a photography program at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville.  Maybe you got a new camera over the holidays and now you wonder what to do next. You're taking photos but you need to get them to a computer. Next you may want to crop/cut and color correct? Maybe you need to send them to a printer? Do you know how to share them on Facebook or Twitter? You also need to think about backing up your images in case something happens.  This class will be for beginners and give you an overview on available solutions and directions to go after the class. Registration deadline is January 12. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.

Sat., Jan. 15, 2-4 p.m., Design an Ecological Vegetable Garden, Roxane Mitten hosts this Backyard Abundance Cultivating Community event about the design and maintenance of the annual vegetable garden bed at the New Pioneer Food Co-op Administration Building, 523 Iowa Ave., Iowa City. For more information, see: www.backyardabundance.org

Sun., Jan. 16, 2 p.m., Creekside Concert: Reunion, Indian Creek Nature Center. Shake off the winter doldrums with an afternoon of lively tunes. Deb Hunemuller on fiddle and Pete Kies on guitar form an acoustic duo that performs a mix of fiddle tunes, original compositions and traditional songs. Reunion mixes a dynamic blend of good hoedown fiddle tunes with songs that are familiar and some that may be new to you.  Bring your favorite beverage and enjoy the show in the comfort of the Nature Center's auditorium.   Cost is $5 for adults; $1 for children.

NOTE: This has been rescheduled to Thurs., Jan. 20: Mon. Jan. 17, 7 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is hosting a program entitled Archaeology at Cahokia Mounds at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Cahokia Mounds, outside of E. St. Louis, was the Central occupation site for the Mississippian culture from approximately A.D. 850 to 1350.  At its zenith, it was estimated to have had anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 occupants and 220 mounds.  The speaker, Fred Gee, Iowa Archaeology Society board member, has participated in excavation projects at Cahokia Mounds for six years. His first two years were on the West Palisade Project; the next three at Mound 34; and last summer on the North Palisade Project. His presentation will include an overview of Cahokia Mounds and each of the three projects on which he worked. Cost is$2.50/adult,$1/child16andunder,or$5/family.

Wed., Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m., Ice Moon Hike, The Linn County Conservation Department is holding an Ice Moon Hike at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Take a brisk walk under the full moon. If the sky is clear, the night sky will be bright from the glow of the ice moon. Be prepared to see your breath and listen to night sounds carried a long distance in the cold air. If there is enough snow this will be a snowshoe hike.  Meet inside the Learning Center. Please register by Jan. 18.  Cost is $2.50/ adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5.00/family.

Thurs., Jan. 20, 7 p.m., Beekeeping course series. The Indian Creek Nature Center holds the first of eight classes for the beginning beekeeper and beekeeping hobbyist.  Learn about equipment and materials needed for beekeeping, cover the essentials for a functioning hive, total costs, assembly of hive body and frames, clothing and ordering equipment.  Advance registration is recommended.  Series fee is $50 for ICNC members, $80 for non-members but couples may attend for one fee.  Call 319-362-0664 to register.

Sun., Jan. 23, 9-11:30 a.m., Kids Ice Fishing Clinic. The North Linn Fish and Game Club and the Linn County Conservation Department are holding a Kids Ice Fishing Clinic at Pinicon Ridge Park near Central City.   Bring the kids to the backwater area of Pinicon Ridge Park near the boat rental building to learn the fine points of ice fishing. Participants will practice jigging with an ice fishing rod, learn how a depth finder works, and attempt to view fish from an ice shack. All youth will receive a prize for their participation. Cost is $2.50/adult,$1/child 16 and under, or $5.00/family.

Tues., Jan. 25, 7-8:30 p.m., “Tomatoes Inside and Out,” Practical Farmers of Iowa online webinars, called “farminars.” To register and participate in the farminars, visit www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar. Any computer with an Internet connection can be used to participate in a Farminar, which provides a “Fish Bowl” view of a beginning farmer learning from a more experienced farmer. Participants watch the exchange in real time via the Internet and can ask additional questions not covered by the beginner at any time throughout the farminar. Clear Brook Farm business partners Andrew Knafel and Matthew Patterson join us from Shaftsbury, Vermont. They grow more than 20 acres of organic produce, additional acres of on-farm biofuel and about a half acre in greenhouses. Jennie Smith's Butcher Creek beginning farm specializes in heirloom tomatoes just south of Des Moines for restaurants and farmers markets.  All Farminars are recorded and available online at http://www.practicalfarmers.org/events/farminars.html

Fri., Jan. 28, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee breakfast series- “it's easy being green” - featuring, “Organics-A Greener Way to Grow”  Jason Grimm, Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development & Joanna Mourning, Kalona Organics. Program supported by Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc., First Trust & Savings Bank & Hills Bank & Trust  - each program will be at the Hills Bank & Trust, Coralville.  Cost: $10 Chamber  members, $12 Future Members (includes breakfast).  RSVP to iowacityarea.com

Sat., Jan. 29, Paddle Day. The Indian Creek Nature Center and Sticks In The Water Paddlers invite novice and experienced paddlers to the fourth annual Paddle Day at the Nature Center.  Discover great spots to paddle in Eastern Iowa and around the country, browse informational and educational displays and learn about some of the newest innovations in canoes and kayaks.  Guest speaker John Pearson will share his eco-adventures as a “paddling naturalist” experiencing beauty, biodiversity and challenges while exploring wild places across the county by canoe and kayak.  Guest speaker John Craun will share stories of his travels to Isle Royale and demonstrate the art of making your own kayaks and paddles.  Exhibits begin at 12:30pm. A complete schedule of activities is available on the Public Programs page at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Fee is $7 for INCN members; $10 for non-members. Call 362-0664 to register. Sponsored by the Alliant Energy Foundation, Indian Creek Nature Center, Sticks-in-the-Water Paddlers and Seatasea Watersports.

Sun., Jan. 30, 2 p.m., The Indian Creek Nature Center invites you to an afternoon of hot jazz with Iowa Vanguard Jazz Collective. This lively group will fill the barn's auditorium with a broad selection of jazz's great composers like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Toshiko Akioshi, Woody Herman and more. Original arrangements and compositions will also be featured.  Pack some snacks and enjoy an afternoon of family entertainment. Music starts at 2pm. Cost is $5 for adults, $1 for children.

Also note: Early bird registration will be offered through January 28, for the seventh annual Overall Women Conference. Women involved in or affected by agriculture are invited to attend the conference on February 10-11. The conference, coordinated by Iowa State University Extension, will be held at the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf.  The conference provides today's rural women with the unique opportunity to come together, network and learn from each other and industry experts. Attendees will leave with information to meet challenges and reap success in their work. Workshop sessions will be offered covering such topics as farm business, value-added agriculture, tax help, ag safety and family communication.  In making time for the “overall” woman, attendees will benefit themselves, their families, farms and communities. The conference provides opportunities for women to connect and interact with speakers and fellow attendees. There will be many opportunities for networking. The programs are geared to those who work in agribusiness as well as farm partners working on farms. To view the entire program, visit

www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/news/overallwomen or contact your local county extension office for information. Register by mail, online or by calling 563-359-7577.