Today’s weather offers hope that spring is on the way and this news, from the city of Cedar Rapids, is a reminder that the new season officially begins in less than one week! Cedar Rapids – The City of Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department’s Ushers Ferry Historic Village, Indian Creek Nature Center, Matthew 25, […]
Who eats their veggies?
According to new Gallup well-being rankings, doctors in the United States lead all major occupational groups in overall well being, followed by school teachers and business owners. Transportation workers have the lowest well-being scores, behind manufacturing and production workers.
Springville farmers market closes
This news today really saddens me. The Springville Farmers Market has been one of my favorites for years. Market founder Lena Gilbert, shared the following message this morning, March 13, 2013: Dear Friends, Customers, Vendors, Community Supporters— After seven years, the Springville Farmers’ market will end. Due to waning attendance by both customers and vendors, […]
Viticulture: Week two, or three
Snowstorms canceled two of our four Vineyard Management classes at Kirkwood Community College in February, and the weather trend seems to be continuing. I know our instructor, Lucas McIntire, would like to get started on pruning lessons, but as the winds picked up and snow began to fly even today – in mid-March – the […]
Favorite day of the year: Iowa Heritage ...
In speaking with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey last week, he mentioned that his favorite day of the year happens during the Iowa State Fair. That’s when Northey has the honor of recognizing Iowa farms that have been in families for generations as part of the Century and Heritage Farm program.
Book review: “Getting Your Hands Dirty a
In reviewing their new book, I first have to admit a certain bias for Linn County Master Gardeners, who have been longtime contributors to Homegrown. At the same time, it’s those qualities I admire about this group of experts – their down-to-earth advice, practical experience and willingness to share their knowledge – that makes “Getting […]
Reminder: Daylight Saving Time begins th...
The snow cover in Iowa might be what makes this seem an especially early switch this weekend to Daylight Saving Time. Don’t forget tonight – Saturday, March 9, 2013 – to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed. In recent years, Daylight Saving Time – or “savings” as […]
Beyond Coal Campaign speaker to be featu...
The Sierra Club’s annual dinner is happening soon! The meal sounds fabulous and it’s for a good cause. Read on for more from Mike Wyrick: If you only come to ONE local Sierra Event this year, please come to our Annual Dinner. It’s fun and it’s our main fundraiser.
No “crazy, bloody” primary: Iowa Secreta
CEDAR RAPIDS – Bill Northey said he wasn’t laying the groundwork for a possible Senate run during his trip to Cedar Rapids, but Iowa’s secretary of agriculture hasn’t ruled out the possibility. “I haven’t decided,” Northey said Thursday, adding that he is in discussions with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and […]
“No mow” lawns; plants for problem areas
IOWA CITY – It sounds almost too good to be true: a beautiful, natural lawn that doesn’t need chemicals to maintain and even more remarkably, doesn’t require mowing. Fred Meyer of Iowa City was on board with a “no mow” lawn for all of those reasons.