The first weekend in August was a beautiful one for Iowans to enjoy the outdoors.
About 100 people walked through the sensational gardens tended by Monica Morley and her mother, Elena Murillo, in northeast Cedar Rapids during Koi for a Cause, a benefit for the HACAP Food Reservoir. Visitors at Abbe Hills Farm near Mount Vernon learned about cover crops and other sustainable methods of farming during a field day and open house.
See photos from both events:
Visitors were able to view the koi pond and gardens during Koi for a Cause on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Purple coneflower bloom at the home of Monica Morley and her mother, Elena Murillo in northeast Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Monica Morley, center, discusses her gardens during Koi for a Cause, a benefit for HACAP. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Quilts handmade by Monica Morley’s sister, Maria Hamilton, also were on display during Koi for a Cause on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Miniature fairy gardens are among the many whimsical touches at the gardens of Monica Morley and Elena Murillo. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Elena Murillo noted that the backyard seemed devoid of all life when the house was built about 12 years ago. Now birds nest in birdhouses and koi swim in the pond in the backyard gardens. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Elena Murillo shows guests the koi during Koi for a Cause on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Visitors to Koi for a Cause wrote messages on stones that will be displayed in the gardens in northeast Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
A hoophouse can be seen behind a barn at Abbe Hills Farm on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. Laura Krouse hosted a farm field day and open house at her farm in rural Mount Vernon. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Chickens were among the many attractions to see during the field day and open house at Abbe Hills Farm on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Visitors listen to farm owner Laura Krouse, as she discusses cover crops during the field day at Abbe Hills Farm. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Sparky the cat lounges on a flatbed trailer during the field day at Abbe Hills Farm in rural Mount Vernon. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Visitors examine a chicken coop during the field day at Abbe Hills Farm on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Sustainable farming methods were discussed during the field day at Abbe Hills Farm in rural Mount Vernon. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
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