Linn County ISU Extension & Outreach celebrates move with open house; new office is in Cedar Rapids

You never know what you might learn when you run into a master gardener. Linn County Master Gardener, Debbie Main, said she will be replacing some of her perennials that didn’t survive last year’s drought with edible plants later this spring. The change is a triple-purpose pursuit. Not only will she have healthy, fresh vegetables right outside her door, but the kale, Swiss chard and other plants will offer contrasts in color and texture to her yard. Finally, if the drought continues and the city implements watering restrictions, the lower-priority landscape plants will benefit from the water provided to the nearby, higher-priority vegetables.

Debbie was one of the many experts on hand Monday, March 25, when Linn County ISU Extension & Outreach held an open house at its new location at 383 Collins Rd. NE, Suite 201, in Cedar Rapids. The office moved late last year from its previous site in Marion. Visitors had a chance to learn about the Parenting Education Consortium, 4-H, Eco Family, Master Gardeners, Play and Learn, Nonprofit Management Academy, Family Finance, the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program and more. Read their website for more information and see some of the photos from the event, below.

From left, Michelle Kenyon Brown, Community Ag Programs Manager; Director Rachel Rockwell and Office Manager Mary Dlouhy greet visitors coming to the Linn County ISU Extension & Outreach open house on March 25, 2013, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Linn County Master Gardener Phil Pfister, right, points out a selection of seeds to plant during the open house on March 25, 2013. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Nutrition program specialist, Jill Weber, is shown at the nutrition table during the open house. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

STARS program director, Arika Mason, had one of the sweetest jobs at the open house, serving up carrot cake for the visitors. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Family Life Specialist, Kristi Cooper, shows how a 5-gallon pickle bucket was transformed into a worm compost bin at the Linn County ISU Extension & Outreach open house. (photo/Cindy Hadish)