Are you eager to connect to the land? Grow your own food in a way that sustains the natural environment? Create a more sustainable way of life? If yes, the Homegrown Lifestyle Network is for you!
Homegrown Lifestyle Network members joined Master Gardener, Phil Pfister, at the Lowe Park Greenhouse on February 24th to learn some ways to get an early start on the garden this year! Participants discussed wall-of-water, row covers, heating options,...
"It's a really great project that will bring neighbors and other agencies like our church who live in the neighborhood together working on something positive getting acquainted,” said church member and Linn County Master Gardener Lori Klopfenstein. CEDAR...
Indian Creek Nature Center staff members Jan Aiels & Christine Kirpes gave an intriguing presentation on wild edible plants. They explained the basics of foraging, the plants' uses, and preparation. The above photo shows Jan explaining that stinging...
Prairie Retreat Farm is a part of a 600-acre family farming operation in eastern Linn County. We grow fruits (apples, blackberries, strawberries, and pears), vegetables (asparagus, sweet corn, and many other annual vegetables), perennial flowers and annual...
2012 Homegrown Lifestyle course participants met in July to share what they have been doing since the class ended. Many participants brought produce, food, photos, and stories to share. From growing grapes to creating soaps to producing vegetables and...
Sharon and Dennis Lang shared their expertise and ideas for homesteading and using their available land in a sustainable way. Sharon is a Master Gardener and Dennis is a Master Woodsman! They have done many projects on their 70 acre home starting from...
Jim Meade hosted a Cover Crop Demonstration Field Day at his farm near Tiffin, IA on September 10th. Jim shared with us his experience with cover crops and provided a map of soil types found on his property. Other farmers provided their insights on the...
Scott Koepke explained composting and soil science. Soil needs to be healthy, unpolluted, and biologically robust in order to grow food most productively. Compost your food scraps and paper waste instead of putting it in the trash--learn more about how...
During the first year of the program, gardeners in the area donated over 6650 pounds of produce to 16 service sites. Please join us for our third year and help hungry Iowans have access to fresh, home-grown produce! Learn more about the local BUDS Community...
Jean Wiedenheft shared information about bees, brought samples of hives, and showed us how to make beeswax candles! Jean Wiedenheft is a Land and Facility Steward at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. Jean started as a volunteer at the Nature...
Free event, Join us! Where in the World? CLASS Wednesday • September 25, 2013 • 6:30-7:30pm at Marion Public Library • 1095 6th Avenue • Marion, IA Travel is the next best thing to gardening. Take a photo journey with Linn County Master Gardener Zora...
Homegrown Lifestyle participants enjoyed seeing all the things they could be doing to get the most out of their land! Sharon & Dennis Lang have transformed a bare field into a productive homestead for their family in the 22 years they have been there!...
Who says you can't do a lot with a little land? Gary Buker and Paula Spaight of Prairie Rose have created an oasis on their serene, park-like acreage in Martelle, Iowa that includes the production of diverce produce. On their small, yet huge garden grows...
This is a time of abundance when it comes to local food choices. Yesterday, I had local eggplant & sweet corn with a pasta dish containing local tomatoes, onions, hot peppers and garlic. I have waiting in my fridge for another day beets, bell peppers,...
Master Gardeners are working on the final touches before the 2013 Garden Walk on Saturday! Explore 5 diverse LinnCounty Master Gardener gardens that will inspire you with ideas you can apply to your own garden or landscape or simply provide you the opportunity...
Members of the Iowa Valley Food Coop order products online and pick up goods once a month at their distribution center at Matthew 25 Ministry Hub in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Valley Food Co-op is a direct-to-consumer cooperative of producer and consumer...
Visit Linn County ISU Extension & Homegrown Lifestyle at Eco-Fest 2013! Eco-Fest 2013: Good Green Fun! April 20th 10 AM – 6 PM Cedar Rapids, IA- April 20th is the date for the 4th annual Eco-Fest in the New Bohemia District in Cedar Rapids. “Eco-Fest...
Food Access & Health Working Group (FAHWG) Spring Gathering & Cultivate Iowa Campaign Debut Iowa Arboretum 1875 Peach Avenue, Madrid, IA Date: 04/19/2013 Time: 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. 9:00 am Registration & Networking 9:30 am Welcome 12:00 pm Lunch 2:00...
2013 Homegrown Lifestyle participants connected with experts in soil and water management at Iowa State University via a live-stream webinar. Linn County Master Gardener, Zora Ronan, taught us about starting seeds and growing our own healthy transplants...
Backyard Abundance Directory, Fred Meyer, led the group in an activity where we designed a bio-diverse landscape thinking about the plant needs and placing them together so they will benefit one another. On the benefits of permaculture: "... if we buy...
Homegrown Lifestyle Network members tour the Linn County Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens at Lowe Park. The Linn County Master Gardeners’ Lowe Park Demonstration Gardens offer an outdoor plant growing lab. Visit our public outdoor plant learning...
By Linn County Extension Master Gardener Lisa Slattery A Master Gardener is someone who loves gardening and is interested in learning more about gardening, plants, and horticulture. We are members of your community that continue to learn more and share...
Pollinators contribute to food production through crop pollination. The annual value of pollination services to U.S. agriculture is estimated at $20 billion. Insects also pollinate wild plants, which is essential for natural ecosystems. Honey bees, are...
Homegrown Lifestyle Network participants shared their favorite tools, resources, and gift ideas. They enjoyed treats, conversation, and a homegrown gift exchange! Members of the Homegrown Lifestyle Network shared their favorite tools and gift ideas for...
New Trees Forever program offers training in community fruit and nut trees - Fruit TreeKeepers PR 082713.doc New Trees Forever program offers training in community fruit and nut trees Fruit TreeKeepers classes set for Sept. 10 and 24 at Prairiewoods...
