Homegrown: January 2012 Calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events happening in Eastern Iowa during January 2012. If you know of others, send information in an email to: cindy.hadish@sourcemedia.net

Tues., Jan. 3, 9 a.m., Taproot Outdoor Day at Kent Park. Join Johnson County Naturalist Brad Friedhof for sledding, ice fishing, coyote tag, snow construction, or other outdoor winter pursuits.  We'll leave Happy Hollow Park at about 9:00 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.  Kids should dress appropriately and bring a change of clothing, a hearty lunch, and a water bottle.  Cost for the day is $65.  Note:  You will receive a confirmation email and your child's spot will be reserved when Taproot receives your $50 deposit or full payment.  Simply registering on the Taproot website does not complete the payment; you must then pay via Paypal or mail a check to Taproot.

Wed., Jan. 4, 10 a.m., REAL Walk: Snowshoeing; Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. Turn your feet into snowshoe hare feet and enjoy a walk off the beaten path searching for tracks and traces of winter wildlife. REAL Walks are geared for adults aged 50 or better.  Cost is $3 for ICNC members; $4 for non-members. Advance registration is strongly suggested.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

Sat., Jan. 7, 8 a.m., Green and Simple: Simplicity Discussion Series, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. Have the past few weeks convinced you it's time to slow down and simplify your life? Join a six-week discussion series at Indian Creek Nature Center focusing on various aspects of simple living. What is simple living? Can you really live more with less? How do our consumption habits damage the environment?   Attend a free, no-obligation preview discussion on Saturday, January 7www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Sponsored in part by the Alliant Energy Foundation.

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at 8:00am at the Nature Center. Subsequent sessions will be held on the next five Saturday mornings. 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 January 6th.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at

Sat.,  Jan. 7, 9 am to noon, Bird Banding 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 gold finches, woodpeckers, cardinals and other birds can be observed. Birds are banded indoors so close-up views of feather colors and behaviors can be observed. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.

Tues., Jan. 10, and Fri., Jan. 13, both at 9:30 a.m., Oh How Many Feet You Meet!, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. Preschoolers and their parents are invited to the Indian Creek Nature Center on Tuesday, Jan 10www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

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to learn how an animal's paws help it move around, eat and make a home. Listen to a story all about feet and do a tracking craft. Dress warmly for a short hike to discover just whose feet you might meet at Indian Creek.  This one-hour program begins 9:30am. Cost is $4 for ICNC member children; $5 for non-member children; parents are free.  Advance registration is strongly recommended. Call 362-0664 to register by phone or register online at

Tues.,  Jan. 10, January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7 and February 14, 1:30–3 p.m., T'ai Chi Chih at Prairiewoods. Do you want to feel and be well? T'ai Chi Chih®, or Joy Through Movement, is a series of twenty simple movements that are slow, gentle and easily done by anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. The movements promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harmony and well being. No experience is necessary. Several Qi Gong exercises, which also promote good health, will be included. This class at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) will meet on Tuesday afternoons for six weeks (from January 10 through February 14). It will be facilitated by Nancy Hoffman, FSPA. Sister Nancy is the Holistic Services Coordinator at Prairiewoods and an accredited teacher of T'ai Chi Chih®. The cost is $60 for the six-week series. For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or www.Prairiewoods.org.

Fri., Jan. 13 to Sat., Jan. 14, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Practical Farmers of Iowa 2012 Annual Conference, Not Just for Farmers. Practical Farmers of Iowa is cooking up an agriculture with a blend of benefits for both farmers and consumers-healthful food, clean air and water, strong communities, enhanced profitability for farmers and a commitment to farmers of the future-at its 2012 Annual Conference, “Made from Scratch,” to be held January 13-14, at the Iowa State University Center, Scheman Building in Ames, Iowa. Workshop session, “Extending the Season in Your Kitchen,” to be held on Friday, January 13, from 12:30–4:30 p.m., will teach people who are passionate about preparing local food how to do so more months out of the year. Practical Farmers of Iowa will be offering more than 20 sessions at this year's conference that explore current agricultural practices and innovations for improving food quality, farmers' profitability and the impact on the environment. During “Extending the Season in Your Kitchen,” attendees will hear from the professionals how to extend the length of time preparing and enjoying local produce. ISU Dining Director Nancy Levandowski and ISU Executive Chef Richard Rexroat will share how they freeze Iowa produce on an institutional scale and serve it during the off-season. Pick up some great tips for dehydrating produce and using a root cellar from Chef Donna Prizgintas, of Ames, who has cooked for Hollywood movie stars Paul Newman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sally Field and others. Presenters Lonna Nachtigal, who farms at Onion Creek Farms; Beth Kemp, who farms at Jumping Bean Farm near Ames; and Mary Swander, Iowa State University professor and Poet Laureate of Iowa, will share other tips for preserving produce. Watch a dehydrating demo, taste little pieces of summer-dried cantaloupe and watermelons-and learn how to make delicious and beautiful fruit candies. The session also includes a tour of an ISU commercial kitchen. The conference features keynote speaker Fedele Bauccio, who set out to revolutionize the food service industry when he co-founded Bon Appétit Management Company in 1987. Bauccio was determined to bring fresh, made-from-scratch food to the contract market. Today, the company spends more than $55 million annually on food from within a 150-mile radius of each café,uses only sustainable seafood, sources turkey breast and chicken raised without antibiotics as a routine feed additive, features natural beef burgers and leads the industry in using cage-free shell eggs. In 2007, the company debuted its Low Carbon Diet, the first program to make the connection between food and climate change. Bon Appétit is now a $500 million company with more than 400 cafés in 28 states serving more than 80 million meals a year. Twenty other in-depth workshops will cover topics ranging from “Farm Strategies for Saving Energy and Money” to “Cover Crops” on Friday and “Real Life Business Plan Vetting” to “Increased Sales Through Season Extension” on Saturday. The conference is open to the public and registrations are being taken now. Those who register by January 4 will save $10 per day. Become a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa to support Iowa farmers and receive special discounts. Register online at http://practicalfarmers.org/events/annual-conference.htmlor by contacting Patrick at 515.232.5661 or patrick@practicalfarmers.org.

Sat., Jan. 14, 1 p.m., Naturalist Adventurers build a Quinzhee, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. ‘Tweens and young teens should bundle up on Saturday afternoon, January 14th and come to the Indian Creek Nature Center to build an Athabaskan Native American snow shelter called a quinzhee.  You'll also learn to use snowshoes. Wear warm outdoor clothes and boots and bring a snow shovel! The fun begins at 1PM. Naturalist Adventurers is an exploratory program for students 6th grade and beyond. Cost: $3/member; $4/non-member. Advance registration required! Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

Sat., Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Not a Lot of Plot, Indian Creek Nature Center and Brucemore are teaming up to present Not A Lot Of Plot, a workshop focused on creating a more sustainable lifestyle by producing food in your own backyard – no matter how small.  Learn about raised bed gardening, starting seeds, composting and using chickens as garden helpers as well as egg producers. Keynote speaker, Dr. David Bullwinkle of Kirkwood Community College, will discuss ethics and food production in his presentation “Think Globally, Grow Locally.” The workshop will be held on Saturday, January 14www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Sponsored in part by the Alliant Energy Foundation.

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from 9am-3pm at the Nature Center. Cost is $25 for Nature Center or Brucemore members; $30 for non-members; bring a sack lunch.  Seating is limited so advance registration is strongly recommended.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at

Mon., Jan. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Taproot Farm, All-Day Program Taproot Farm (map) Winter Outdoor Fun at Taproot Farm--Sledding, Farm Animals, Puppies, Snow Shelters.  Includes outdoor oven pizza.  $70.

Thurs., Jan. 19, 7-9 p.m., Beginning Beekeeping Series. Indian Creek Nature Center presents the first of an eight-session series designed for individuals serious about starting a beekeeping hobby on Thursday, January 19www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Pre-registration is required no later than 4pm on Wednesday, January 18www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org

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from 7-9pm at the Nature Center. The series takes participants through the annual cycle of beekeeping – from establishing a hive to harvesting and marketing the honey produced. Class members will work with the hives at the Nature Center. Sessions occur approximately monthly and attendance is critical. Additional information is available at

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. Cost is $55 for Nature Center members; $85 for non-members; one additional companion may be registered for $10.  Space is limited so call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at

Sat., Jan. 21, Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch, Outdoor viewing, south of Lock and Dam 11 at A.Y. McDonald Park from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Live eagle and bird of prey programs by the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Live bobcat and lynx program by Pella Wildlife Co.
• Indoor exhibits from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
• Trolley rides from Grand River Center to outdoor viewing area

• For more information call 563-556-4372 or 563-582-0881

Sat., Jan. 21, 1-4 p.m., Business Management and Decision Making on the Farm, Linn Co ISU Extension, 3279 7th Ave., Suite 140, Marion. Trying to decide when to purchase a piece of equipment or simply decide the proper product mix to match your income goals? Craig Chase, a Farm & Ag Management Field Specialist, will show you how to use enterprise budgets to make pricing, product mix, and production changes, use partial budgets to make investment decisions like machinery and land and how to use whole-farm records to evaluate how our business is doing and make educated business decisions.

Wed., Jan. 25, 1-3 p.m., Iowa Corridor Food & Agriculture Coalition quarterly meeting, Matthew 25, 225 K Ave NW, Suite G, Cedar Rapids. Quarterly meetings assist in fostering strategic partnerships in the Iowa Corridor Region's local food system. These strategic partnerships will work to implement the ICFAC Food System Plan which establishes a region that embraces local foods in a diversified and environmentally conscious agriculture community; serving as a hub for a revitalized regional food system. Come hear updates from regional organizations and businesses on their work including successes and challenges and the 2012 calendar of events and announcements from Iowa Valley RC&D and Field to Family. Hosted by Iowa Valley RC&D Food System Planner (Jason Grimm) and Field to Family Team Coordinator (Jessica Burtt)

RSVP at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2592634640

Fri., Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m., “QUEEN OF THE SUN” FILM NIGHT, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. It'll “bee” an interesting evening at the Nature Center on Friday, January 27www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org.

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. Start with a full moon walk through the apiary with a beekeeper and then return to the barn for a warm beverage and popcorn to enjoy the award-winning film “Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?”. This engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world. Program begins at 6:30pm. Cost is $5/person. Advance registration is strongly suggested.  Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online at

Sat., Jan. 28, Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch

• Outdoor viewing from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Illinois Boat Club
• Live eagle programs at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Pearl City Station
• For more information call 563-263-7913

Sat., Jan. 28, 12:30 p.m., PADDLE DAY AT THE NATURE CENTER. The Indian Creek Nature Center and Sticks In The Water Paddlers invite novice and experienced paddlers to the fifth annual Paddle Day at the Nature Center on Saturday, January 28th.  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.  See presentations on the basics of kayaking and canoe and kayak fishing.  Larry Stone will present a photo tour of natural and cultural treasures located along Iowa's waterways. Exhibits and check-in opens at 12:30pm. A more complete schedule of activities is available at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Fee is $7 for INCN members; $10 for non-members.  Advance registration is recommended. Call 362-0664 to register by phone or register online at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org. Sponsored in part by Indian Creek Nature Center, Sticks-in-the-Water Paddlers, Seatasea Watersports and an anonymous donor.