Black Hawk County Master Gardeners

10/21/2026

A certified Bird Friendly Iowa Community, Cedar Falls is officially a high flyer, and this week is the perfect time to enjoy it!

10/21/2026

Plants come from seeds, seeds come from plants, it's the circle of plant life with the Carver middle school kids learning at the Dick Young Greenhouse 🌱🌱

10/21/2026

It's acorn season! Don't let the squirrels have all the fun...

As autumn arrives, it's time to shift our focus from prairie plants and pollinators to another essential part of our ecosystem: trees!

Oaks throughout our community have begun dropping one of nature's most valuable food sources - the acorn. You can help nurture and grow the next generation of Oak trees by collecting, testing, and storing acorns through the winter season. Then, come spring, you'll be ready to plant and grow your very own Oak trees!

How to get started - view our Acorn Hunting Guide, grab your friends and family, and start hunting: https://monarchresearch.org/resources/acorn-hunting-guide

P.S. Want to learn even more about rearing Oak trees from acorns? We have a program for that! 🌳 Click to learn more about the Mighty Acorn Society: https://monarchresearch.org/programs/mighty-acorn-society

10/21/2026

It's ! Celebrate with a trip to a local orchard to enjoy fresh, delicious apples and support local farmers. Visit ChooseIowa.com and search the Find Local directory to find an orchard near you.

10/21/2026

Meet our Prairie Panther undergraduate assistants at the TPC this semester!

10/20/2026

Join us next week on Thursday from 2:30pm - 3:30pm in the meeting room for Butter Together with Sarah Pratt, Butter Cow Artist!

Sarah, the official butter sculptor for the Iowa State Fair, will share a brief history of butter sculpting at the Fair. We will learn about the ways in which butter art came to be a beloved tradition and hear a little about her journey from apprentice to artist through a photographic presentation and first hand story telling.

During the second half of our time together, Pratt will lead the group through the process of creating their own butter sculptures. Thirty participants* will receive a stick of butter and be provided the tools and guidance needed to transform their stick into a butter building or other object.

*The butter sculpting is limited to first participants who take a ticket. All are welcome at the presentation.

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

Our partners at Iowa Farmers of Color are bringing farmers, agricultural leaders, community partners, and advocates together for the 4th Annual Iowa Farmers of Color Conference on Saturday, November 21, in Ames.

This year’s conference will feature keynote speaker P. Wade Ross, a fourth-generation farmer, educator, and advocate with Texas Small Farmers & Ranchers, along with breakout sessions on land access, farm mechanization, and building collective models for stronger networks and market opportunities.

Whether you’re an established farmer, just getting started, or working to support a more inclusive and resilient agricultural future, this is a great opportunity to connect and learn.

Saturday, November 21, 2026
Harvest Vineyard Church | Ames, Iowa

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026
📍 Harvest Vineyard Church | Ames, Iowa

🔗 Registration: https://buff.ly/XaPcFSF