Iowa City Homesteaders

Facebook Contest

2010-06-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

So we are going to run a little get-to-know each other contest on the New Facebook Group.

I have a copy of "The Backyard Homestead" to give away. Hopefully, I can scare up a few other prizes as well.

So here is the deal:
If you haven't "liked" us yet, please do so.
Then post a fan photo on the wall.

On June 23rd, I will put all the names of contributors in a hat and the winner gets the book. Share the group with friends so they can get in on the fun, too.

Take a Break from the Garden: Irish Session @ The Center

2010-06-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

This month's Irish Session will be held June 27th at the Senior Center here in Iowa City. The event is hosted by Tara Dutcher of Cavan Fiddle Studio and The Beggarmen

Irish Session @ The Center

Join us the fourth Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm in the Assembly Room of the Center in Iowa City (28 South Linn Street). All are welcome to play, dance, or just listen.
The next session is coming up on May 23rd!

Irish traditional music sessions are mostly-informal gatherings at which people play Irish traditional music. The Irish language word for "session" is seisiún...

The "Field Guide to the Irish Music Session" defines a session as:
...a gathering of Irish traditional musicians for the purpose of celebrating their common interest in the music by playing it together in a relaxed, informal setting, while in the process generally beefing up the mystical cultural mantra that hums along uninterruptedly beneath all manifestations of Irishness worldwide.

Take a Break from the Garden: Contra Dance @ the Center June

2010-06-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

Ralston Creek Country Dancers, Iowa City
Saturday, June 26th

Dance 8-11 pm at "The Center," 28 South Linn Street (corner of Linn & Washington).
Admission $5; ages 16 & under free. Beginners' lesson at 7:30.
8:00-11:00 PM dance contra, squares, circles, and waltzes
All dances taught and called. No partner necessary. Singles, couples, families, veterans and newcomers welcome.

Backyard Abundance to Host Cultivating Community Potluck

2010-06-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 19th 5-7 p.m.
1512 N. Dubuque Road
Iowa City, IA

Cultivating Community gatherings bring together people who are interested in transforming our community into a regenerative, beautiful and lush space that nourishes our bodies and souls.

For more information visit the Backyard Abundance website.

Our First Newsletter...Finally

2010-06-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

The following article is reprinted from our first newsletter which is available on the web at http://www.naturallysimple.org/ICUHJune.pdf

Urban Homesteading is hard work. It is far too easy to get caught up in all of the “busy” and forget to have fun. Often, I am reminded by my family of the old ad-age about “all work and no play”.
Previous generations countered this problem by hosting community -wide musical “jams”, social dances, quilting bees and barn raisings. Part of our vision for this group is to bring back some of those traditions.
Thankfully we don’t have to start from scratch. Iowa City is full of opportunities for those who would like to participate in traditional community-building fun.
My family and I regularly attend traditional dances held at the Center in Iowa City. We also attend per-formances and sessions by local folk-musicians. It makes the winter monthsmuch more tolerable and provides a much needed respite from the busy planting and harvesting months.
I feel it is incredibly important to ensure that this knowledge is passed along to the younger generation. We proudly support local instructors of art and culture. My sons are students at the Cavan Fiddle Studio. We have taken English Country Dance classes from a remarkably talented local couple and Irish Dancing from Ghrá na Gaeilge Irish Dance studio.
There are other ways of connecting while learning traditional skills. Many of the local knitting shops host “knitters’ breakfasts” or other similar events There is a brew master club for those who would like to learn to make their own beer.
You can also do your own thing. I host a weekly craft circle among my circle of friends, during the winter months.. As soon as the harvest as in, we start getting together to work on handmade gifts for the holidays.

IC Urban Homesteaders will host events and pass along information about various community events which may be of interest to our members on this blog. Please feel free to e-mail

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair April 10th

2010-03-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center

Meet local farmers and learn how you can enjoy fresh produce throughout Iowa’s growing season! A CSA membership provides you with four to five months of delicious, healthy produce. You can become part of a larger community of farmers and consumers where you will find:

* Weekly fresh produce
* Fruits and vegetables in season
* Guaranteed income for farmers
* Proper farmland stewardship

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local farmers and community members who pay the farmer an annual membership fee to cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, members receive a weekly share of the harvest during the local growing season.

In most cases, this commitment implies a willingness to share with the farmer both the bounty from the land and at least some of the risks involved with production. In return for fair and guaranteed compensation, consumers receive a variety of freshly picked (usually organic) vegetables grown and distributed in an economically viable and ecologically responsible manner. As Wendell Berry stated, “how we eat determines to a considerable extent how the world is used.”

Co-sponsored by Local Foods Connection, New Pioneer Food Co-operative, edible Iowa River Valley Magazine, Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department

Backyard Abundance: Seeds of Sustainability Event

2010-03-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

Start Growing Fruits

Friday, March 12
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
University of Iowa Student Garden
Cost: Free

Would you like to add a few pears, apples, currants or blueberries to your landscape, but are unsure of how to begin? Join Chris Jackson as he tours the University of Iowa Student Garden and provides ideas and advice for how to place and manage fruits in a low-maintenance landscape. Food grown in the student garden is sold to the university.

Mr. Jackson is an ecological designer specializing in edible landscaping and orchard restoration in Vermont. He is the coordinator of a food coop and works at an agro-education farm that provides food to a local school.

Master Gardener Q&A

Friday, March 12
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

University of Iowa Pomerantz Center, 21 E. Market Street, Iowa City
Cost: Free

Get answers to your spring gardening questions. The Johnson County Master Gardeners will be available in the foyer of the Pomerantz Center before the evening presentation.

Presentation: Regenerating Communities, Ecosystems and Landscapes by Design

Friday, March 12
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (registration at 5:30 pm)

University of Iowa Pomerantz Center, 21 E. Market Street, Iowa City
$10 per person Pay at the door or pre-register online.

Free to University of Iowa Students-show your student ID at the door. Free to Johnson County Master Gardeners - show your badge at the door.

The keynote presentation will be given by Dave Jacke, award winning author of Edible Forest Gardens.

For More Information see the Backyard Abundance Website.

Urban chicken debate returns

2010-02-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Would it be fun to gather eggs from your own backyard chickens? Would it make sense financially? How much work is involved? What are the positives and negatives? Join Misha Goodman of Iowa City Animal Services as she outlines what is needed for a suitable chicken house, laying nest boxes, and backyard enclosure. Misha will offer helpful tips on chick sources, proper feeding, keeping the hens safe from predators, and what to do with chicken waste. Refreshments will be served.

Press-Citizen article: http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20100211/NEWS01/2110317/1079

Earth Day Volunteer Opportunity

2010-02-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

To help restore the natural habitat around Coralville Lake and enhance the park and recreation areas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Coralville Lake is hosting an Earth Day Event April 23-24 2010!

What will volunteers do?:
Many service projects are available such as shoreline clean-up; invasive species removal, trail maintenance and rehabilitation; campground clean-up and preparation; tree planting; and timber stand improvement. Full project descriptions and registration forms will be available on the internet by January 15th. Please visit: http://www.coralvillelake.org

How does the Event Work?:
Pre-registration is required by April 10th to ensure two nights of free camping and lunch on Saturday. Late registrations will be accepted with no guarantee of lunch on Saturday.

Event Agenda
Friday, April 23 – Sugar Bottom Campground:
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Check in and registration at Sugar Bottom
Campground Entrance Station. Get set up for your two nights of FREE camping.
TBA: Traditional Native American Ceremony to bless the event.
Ceremony will be held at the Earth Day Tent (see location on
the registration form).
Saturday, April 24:
8:00 am to 8:30 am: Welcome message and project information for
group leaders at the Earth Day Tent.
8:30 am to 1:00 pm: Form groups and work on your project. Field
snacks will be provided (see Project Description Sheet).
1:15 pm to 2:30 pm: Lunch – lunches will be PROVIDED and
served at the Earth Day Tent.
2:30 pm through the remainder of the weekend: Enjoy and discover
our beautiful park!

Tee-Shirts:
This year’s beautiful, commemorative tee-shirt will be available for purchase for $10.00 ($12.00 for Adult 2XL and 3XL). The logo (see front of flyer) will be printed on a natural colored 100% Cotton tee-shirt, available in all youth and adult sizes. While some shirts will be available for sale at the event, please order your shirt when you register to guarantee the sizes you want.
The Corps of Engineers at Coralville Lake recommends participating volunteers wear appropriate outdoor clothing (rain gear, long sleeve shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves and a hat) to provide protection from ticks and poison ivy. Volunteers are also advised to bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen.

Methow Valley Herbs: October Blog Party: Bio-regional herbs for Colds and Flu

2009-10-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Methow Valley Herbs: October Blog Party: Bio-regional herbs for Colds and Flu

IOWA CITY FARMERS MARKET CELEBRATES FARMERS MARKET WEEK

2009-08-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed August 2-8, 2009 as National Farmers Market Week. In celebration, the Iowa City Farmer's Market will offer the following activities on Saturday, August 8:

7:30 a.m. - noon: Master Gardeners (including myself) will be at our market this Saturday to answer all of your gardening questions (southwest corner of Chauncey Swan parking ramp).

9-11 a.m.: Musicians Aleta & Alan Murphy will be playing Country and Fiddle Tunes in Chauncey Swan Park.

9-11 a.m.: This week at Art In the Park:
Peat Pot Plantings
Vegetable Printing
Chalking on the sidewalk
Collaborative Watercolor

9 a.m.- noon: Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center Mobile Adoption Unit (Chauncey Swan Park)

9:30 a.m.: Chef Carmen Legaspi from La Reyna Restaurant in Iowa City will be our Chef at the Market this week. She will share her cooking talents with you at the south end of the parking ramp.

11a.m.- noon: Ceolas: Student musicians from Cedar Rapids Symphony School will play traditional Irish music as well as classical music with a Celtic Flavor in Chauncey Swan Park.

Also this Saturday at the Market--we have been selected by "Only at Farmers Markets" as the feature market for the month of August. Mike Lee of "Only at Farmers' Markets" says:

August 9th Homesteaders Social

2009-08-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

Some of the group members will be camping out at Lake MacBride's Fox campsites next week and we will be hosting a potluck bonfire Sunday evening around 5 p.m.

Feel free to join us Sunday afternoon for hiking and exploring the Raptor Center as well. Stephany may talk a bit about herbs, wildcrafting and foraging, if anyone is interested in doing an herbwalk.

Backyard Abundance Event

2009-08-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 8th

Mary Crooks
1482 Valley View Drive
Coralville, IA
get directions

Planting Abundance
In 2008, Backyard Abundance helped Mary Crooks design and lay the groundwork for her environmentally-friendly yard. At this event, you will learn how plants were chosen and can see their growth progress.

Second Line Funeral for the Iowa River

2009-06-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

STIR (Save the Iowa River) will be hosting this event on July 4th and I just thought I would pass the information along.

This 4th of July, STIR is planning a funeral to mourn the death of the Iowa River.

The funeral will be a New Orleans style, second-line, jazz funeral march, complete with a casket, jazz musicians, and fun. We have permission from the City of Iowa City to hold the funeral during its annual Jazz Festival.

As of right now, we are asking everyone to meet just north of the IATL building, (Laser Facility) at noon. The North Parking Ramp is nearby. The exact route of the march has not been determined. We intend to stop in front of the main stage at 1:30, where Trombone Shorty, from New Orleans, will be playing. (Great show, by the way.)

We are doing this type of funeral to show support for the Louisiana Shrimpers and Gulf Clam farmers whose lives are being destroyed by the pollution in our river. Our farm chemicals have been traced all the way around Florida, up the east coast to Georgia.

We need musicians who play trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, banjos and tubas. Kazoos, accordions and tambourines are also welcome. (Possible songs-"Down By the Riverside" and "When The Saints Go Marching In") We will be filmed by a major feature film artist for his film about the Iowa River, and we hope to have TV news coverage.

If you are angry about how polluted our river is, bring a wooden spoon, (our symbol for STIR) and come join us. Show how much you care. Bring your families. Bring your pets. This river affects us all. Its pollution is affecting the whole world. We can make a difference, but only if we join together.

Send this notice to your friends. We are also in need of volunteer helpers. Please contact below.

Thank you for your help.
Joe@blueplanetgreenliving.
com

Iowa City Farmers Market Events for Saturday, June 27

2009-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

9 to 11 a.m. Musician Jeffrey Morgan
9 to 11 a.m. Art in the Park
9:30-10:30 a.m. Chef at the Market: Chef Kurt Michael Friese and Kim McWane Friese
9-noon Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center (mobile adoption)

The Iowa City Farmers Market is proud to present local musician Jeffrey Morgan who will play songs and stories for all ages in the park from 9-11 a.m. Market Music is sponsored by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department and the University of Iowa Credit Union.

While listening to the music, the kids can have fun at Art in the Park. This is a free drop in program for kids of all ages held every Saturday morning, June through August, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Chauncey Swan Park. Be sure to wear clothes you can get messy! Art in the Park is sponsored by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department and the Optimist Club of Iowa City.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., Chef Kurt Michael Friese and Kim McWane Friese, Publisher and Managing Editor of Edible Iowa River Valley, and co-sponsors of our Chef at the Market program, will be the featured chefs at the Market. They will start the day by shopping for fresh ingredients at the Iowa City Farmers Market and will prepare a dish or two for everyone to sample. The event will take place at the south end of the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp.

Home Ties Playground Project

2009-06-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

The Home Ties Playground Project is looking for donations of plants.
If you have anything on the list, you would willing to dig up a bit of
contact Susan and let her know.

Susan Gray
4Cs Executive Director

4Cs Child Care Resource & Referral
1500 Sycamore Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

susan@iowa4cs.com

---------------------------------------------------------
Spearmint-15

Bee balm-15

White clover

Creeping thyme-12
Anise hyssop-15

Grapes-1
Juneberry-2
Lingonberry-5
Half-high blueberry-3

Wintergreen-5

Lowbush blueberry-5
Red currant-4
Creeping thyme-12

Corsican Mint-35
Johnny jump-ups-30

Jostaberry-3
Black currant-6

Yarrow is on the diagram for the front fence but not on the plant list so

don't know how many are needed.

Mad City Chickens

2009-06-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

This would be a good opportunity to learn more about this issue before the city council meeting on the 30th.

IC Friends of Urban Chickens and Iowa City Environmental Film Festival presents

Mad City Chickens

Saturday, June 27, 2009

2 p.m screening with film maker Q&A to follow

Robert A Lee Recreation Center

220 S Gilbert St Iowa City (downtown)

Frytown Produce Auction

2009-06-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in purchasing bulk amounts of locally raised produce for preserving, you might want to look into attending the Frytown Produce Auction. The Kalona area is a wealth of locally raised and produced products, you could certainly make a day of it and enjoy a worthwhile local foods field trip.

Here are the 2009 Auction Dates & Hours:

April 21- July 10
Tuesday & Friday @ 10 a.m.

July 13 - August 28
Monday @ 12 noon
Wednesday & Friday @ 10 a.m.

September 1- October 30
Tuesday & Friday @ 10 a.m.

This is the results from last year's June 20th auction, to give you an idea of the types of items available last year at this time

Greenhouse Tomatoes - 20 lbs
Radishes - 1/2 - 1/4 bu
Strawberries - quart
Cabbage - each
Green Beans - 1/4 bu
Onions - 1/4 bu
Kohlrabi - 1/2 bu
Cauliflower - 1/2 bu
Broccoli - 1/2 bu
Cherry Tomatoes - quart

34.00
9.00
3.75
1.00
14.00
6.50
11.00
12.50
12.00
2.60

32.10
9.00
3.15
.50
14.00
6.50
11.00
12.50
12.00
2.60

29.00
9.00
2.75
.45
14.00
6.50
11.00
12.50
12.00
2.60

Eco Iowa City Offers Assistance to Composters

2009-06-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out Risa's composting presentation and then head out to the ReStore for a really good deal on an Earth Machine Compost Bin.

Even if you don't garden, composting is great for the environment. I think Risa will be covering some alternative uses for the compost in her class.

Backyard Composting
What: Learn about converting yard and kitchen waste into valuable soil for your yard and garden. Presented by Risa Dotson Eicke, Master Gardener Intern. Information on ECO Iowa City compost bin subsidy will also be available.
Where: Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library
When: 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 25
Compost Bin Subsidy
What: Earth Machine Compost Bin are $25 for Iowa City Residents Only Until August 1
Where: Available at ReStore beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27. 2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City
When: Wednesday - Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Physical support needed for IC Friends of Urban Chickens

2009-06-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have had the opportunity to sign the petition to the city council to allow a small flocks of urban hens within Iowa City limits. Signatures have been collected and the petition will be delivered to the council at their meeting on June 30. We need to have people present to demonstrate that this a real need of the community that is being hindered by current ordinances. Here's the information on the meeting:

Time: June 30, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
Location: City Hall - Council Chambers
410 E Washington
Iowa City, IA

What is urban homesteading?

2009-06-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Another “green” group for Iowa City; you may be asking yourself “so what is urban homesteading anyway?” So glad you asked! Urban homesteaders are a pretty diverse group, but there are some common themes. These are people who are making a conscious choice to make our world healthier by relying less on fossil fuel use in its many manifestations, from industrial farming to electric clothes washers. Urban homesteaders seek self-sufficiency and reducing their reliance on business and infrastructure for things such as food, electricity, and many other things that can be created at home. We are seeking to reclaim knowledge that we have willingly given up in favor of industrialized, cheap, and easy products: including food.

Homesteading has it roots in the “back to land” movement of the 60s and the 70s: the urban exodus to the countryside to seek a stronger connection with the Earth and foodways, living off the grid and by the sweat of one's brow. Urban homesteaders are trying to seek balance of the benefit of urban life with the same longing for a simpler, less consumptive lifestyle. Many of us start simply as gardeners with a small plot of organically cultivated vegetables, and our interests expand to include alternative energy, reusing and re-purposing things instead of carting them off to the dump, and trying to preserve our harvest to nourish throughout the year.

Whatever stage of urban homesteading you are at, from interest onward, your presence is welcomed in the group. We seek to build community, to learn from and to encourage each other.

From Local Foods Connection

2009-06-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

From coast to coast on June 21, the longest day of the year, United Ways across the country will participate in a nationwide 'Day of Action' as a call-to-action for individuals to 'Live United' - to give, advocate and volunteer on issues relating to education, income or health.

Local Foods Connection is participating by hosting a Farm Work Day on Sunday, June 21 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m at ZJ Farm in Solon, Iowa. We will meet up at the farm at 1:30 p.m. and finish work around 4:00 p.m.

You will be doing farm work on a small, local farm that practices sustainable agriculture. In exchange for your volunteer labor, the farmer will give LFC credit towards food purchases.

No farm experience is required! The farmers will teach you what to do.

To Sign Up

Email or call us to register. Laura: (319) 338-2010. localfoodsconnection@yahoo.com

Give us your phone number and an email address that you check frequently. If the weather is very bad, the farmer might cancel, and we will need to call you.

Beginnings

2009-06-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Recently, some friends of mine and I were chatting on Facebook about forming an old-fashioned gardening group. You might remember your grandmother or mother belonging to "Garden Club". Generally these types of groups were social clubs. While each member would contribute their knowledge on a certain subject to the group, the allure of the group was getting out of the house to talk to people about something you enjoyed. Participants would swap plants, get together for potlucks, and admire the fruits of their neighbors' labor. Belonging to these groups provided members with the support they craved, knowledge and the opportunity to make like-minded friends. Unfortunately interest in such groups waned as television and subsequently the Internet replaced "community" in modern society.

The issue is that while not all of my friends are gardeners, they are devoted to "living lightly" on this planet and many were "green" before it was trendy. Many are striving to learn traditional skills which allow one to turn away from the culture of rampant consumerism that has devastated our planet's resources and the health of a nation.

I put the idea out there to more friends and I received enough favorable responses to make the endeavor seem worthwhile. I think many people are longing for that sense of belonging to a community that so many of us lack in today's society.

So that is basically the story behind our conception. A few of us decided that getting together to discuss all aspects of "urban homesteading" and "sustainable living" sounded like something we would enjoy. Sarah stepped up and offered to be a co-organizer of the group, so we are off and running.

Iowa City Homesteaders is not another group formed strictly for disseminating information about how to garden or how to conserve energy. Iowa City is well-served in this area by wonderful groups such as Backyard Abundance, ECO Iowa City, I-RENEW and many other worthwhile organizations.

Iowa City Homesteaders was created to fill the niche in this community for a family-friendly support network for individuals, or families, committed to living a sustainable lifestyle. While we certainly intend on learning and growing together, the primary focus of this group will be to band together to share resources, to build friendships and to create community.

If you are ready to take (or have taken) your interest in living a sustainable lifestyle to the next level, please consider attending one of our gatherings. If you are just beginning your journey, feel free to join us as well. There is a wealth of wisdom to be shared by many of my friends.

Our first newsletter will be published in July. If you are interested , join our google group to keep updated and to help us plan our kick-off get together.