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!
Please spread the word to those you think might be interested! Position Description: The role of this position is to provide support and assistance in the delivery of new and existing Community Agriculture Programs at Linn County Extension. Community...
Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Iowa (UI) invite you to attend the Thirteenth Annual Iowa Organic Conference, at the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa, with a movie and reception on Sunday night,...
by ISU Extension & Outreach Linn County Master Gardener Lisa Slattery The blizzard took its toll on our landscape, everything from minor branches littering the street to full size trees cracking and falling. Snow is a great insulator for ground perennials...
Are you still in search of high-quality plants for your garden? On May 17th, the Linn County Master Gardeners will be holding their annual Plant Sale in the parking lot of the Linn County Extension Office (383 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids). The sale will...
With a new year comes many new opportunities: the chance to learn new information, start new garden plans, and maybe even pick up a new hobby. The 2014 Winter Gardening Fair, presented by the ISU Extension and Outreach Linn County Master Gardeners and...
Cindy Hadish began writing her “Homegrown” garden column in 2003, as an outlet for her gardening obsession. The column and related articles have been a way to spread the word about local foods, school and community gardens, farmers markets, incredible...
Jean Wiedenheft from Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids shared information about bees, brought samples of hives, and showed us how to make beeswax candles! Check out the beekeeping classes and other wonderful events offered at Indian Creek Nature...
On Thursday, May 29th, the ISU Extension Entomology Department received a call from the Burlington area that the largest group of periodical cicadas, otherwise known as the 17 year "locusts," has begun to emerge. This group of cicadas is the offspring...
Linn County 4-H members brought several chickens to share with the class and facilitated a question and answer session with Homegrown Lifestyle course participants. Are you contemplating raising poultry on a small scale? Whether as a hobby or as a source...
Impatiently awaiting this year’s growing season for fresh produce? Why wait?! Container gardens provide the option to grow vegetables year round while adding color and interest in your home. To learn more about container gardening, including container...
Patrick O'Malley, ISU Extension Commercial Horticulture Specialist, discusses fruit crops for the Upper Midwest and shares some examples with class participants. The Web Soil Survey is a great tool-along with a soil test-to help you make decisions about...
Phil Pfister explains the basics of home greenhouses including the various structures, uses, and how to control the environment to get the best results. This publication suggests two or more produce varieties suited for Iowa gardens based on characteristics...
Make your dream of creating wine a reality! Explore the great resources in from Iowa State University by following the link below to get started. If you want the wine without the work, check out local wineries and the Iowa Wine Trail link below. Comment...
Scott Koepke shared many Scott Koepke is the Education Outreach Coordinator at New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City. Soilmates Organic Garden Education for Children is among his educational programs. Compost: The Biological Decomposition of Organic Material...
KCRG-TV9 interviewed ISU Extension's Kristi Cooper about the upcoming EcoFamily Virtual Conference and how families can log on to learn sustainable living techniques! Follow this link to register your family!
Creating a compost bin doesn't have to be complicated or expensive! Master Gardener Phil Pfister helped Johnson Elementary students construct this compost bin out of pallets and zip-ties for their community garden. How do you compost? "When we make compost,...
If you can’t make it to the Seed Savers Heritage Farm, learn with them online. Their webinars cover topics including seed saving, planning your garden, apple grafting, pollination, and much more!
Use dried flowers, grasses, and prairie plants along with evergreen boughs to create beautiful winter arrangements. Spray paint the plants to add a pop of color! "Preserving Flowers" Gardening in the Zone article with Iowa Gardening Magazine's Liz Gilman...
I've witnessed inspiring Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs at Grinnell Heritage Farm and at Laura Krouse's Abbe Hills Farm near Mount Vernon and am always happy to spread the word about localfoodsconnection@yahoo.com Eric Menzel, (319) 2...
ECO Iowa City is a grant-funded initiative to improve environmental sustainability in Johnson County, Kalona and Riverside. ECO Iowa City will provide a series of events, programs, hands-on workshops, films, book recommendations and discussions, incentives...
ISU Extension & Outreach Johnson County is offering a Managing for Today and Tomorrow Annie’s course starting August 20th. Managing for Today and Tomorrow: Farm Transition Planning meets from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August, 20th through September,...
FREE!! Growing Garlic For Market Small Farms Webinar August 15, 2013 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Consumers are using more garlic in their diets than ever before. Because of increased consumer demand, many market farmers and Community-Supported Agriculture organizations...
Linn County Mast Gardener, Phil Pfister, demonstrates how to construct a 3-bin composting unit. This bin was created for Hiawatha Elementary's People's Garden Project!
Choices for Sustainable Living Recently the term “sustainability” has become so popularized, it is hard to know what it means anymore. Sustainability is a complex and contested concept, but at its best represents the hope for a healthy, just and bright...
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, through a grant funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, will conduct Level 1 and Level 2 GAP Workshops for fruit and vegetable producers in the Fall of 2013....
