Controlling problematic pests like Colorado Potato Beetles and Aphids is difficult for many growers.  Join Iowa State University Commercial Vegetable Field Specialist Dan Fillius to learn about practical on-farm pest control in vegetable crops. We'll walk through a variety of organic pest control methods, including sprays, attracting beneficial insects, and physical removal and exclusion. Safe handling of sprays and when to use each of them will be covered, as well as how to mix them and rotate between them for greater efficacy. 

Date: Saturday, August 8th
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Johnson County Historic Poor Farm
4811 Melrose Ave, Iowa City
Host: Iowa Valley RC&D
Workshop Facilitator: Dan Fillius

There is no fee to attend the workshop, but registration is requested. Bring your questions and experiences, and we'll learn together!
Questions?  Emmaly@ivrcd.org

REGISTERHERE

The Johnson County Historic Farm Open House will also take place 4:00-7:30pm and historic buildings are ground tours will be available, along with the Global Food Project on-site farmers market.

Join us for an interactive session that will introduce the basics of branding and promotion strategies. No design experience or prior knowledge is required. This workshop also discusses the process of collaborating with designers and marketing services to grow your business.

There will be time during the workshop to reflect on your own branding and promotion strategies. The goal is to provide information that will help you take actionable steps in representing and growing your business.

Please bring any logo ideas you have for your business to the workshop. You are welcome to share pre-existing branding or promotional materials at the workshop for feedback.

Presenters are Serena Sulentic, Associate Professor of Instruction in Graphic Design, and Lexi and Mohammadreza, graduate students, from the School of Art at The University of Iowa.

Register today at GrowJohnsonCounty.org or https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR6P42yBuii0_NODmSt41XR5KPt2hfdPIH64hXS0K79LJURw/viewform

Free for Farmers & Market Gardeners, $10 suggested donation for community members

There will be live interpretation in Spanish and Swahili.

Questions? Jessicaaf@IVRCD.org

Happy Earth Day!
Join us for a morning at the farm. All ages are welcome. Come for an hour or stay for the morning. Registration is appreciated!

The volunteer activity will be in the field, weather permitting. Dress for the weather and prepare to get dirty.

Order of Events
10:00am – Welcome
10:05am – Tour of Johnson County Historic Poor Farm
10:40am – Volunteer Opportunities Overview
10:50am – Volunteer Spring Field Activity
12:00pm – End of Event, with option to stay longer

Event Location
Cultivation Station Classroom
4811 Melrose Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52246

Registration: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdO0OIK.../viewform 

Iowa Valley RC&D is hosting a hands-on day of Farm Safety training featuring I-CASH and Stop the Bleed with the University of Iowa Public Safety. Participants are welcome to attend one session or both.

Build Confidence! This training is ideal for beginners and experienced operators alike, covering key safety practices for tractors and PTO attachments, as well as how to develop a comprehensive farm safety plan tailored to your operation.

The afternoon session also includes critical emergency response training, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to act quickly during major accidents and severe injury situations.

Bring your own lunch and take time to enjoy the farm setting between sessions. Whether you are a farmer looking to refresh critical safety skills, a student, or a community member interested in learning more, all are encouraged to attend.

These workshops are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure an accurate headcount. Small donations are appreciated to help support ongoing programming.

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/.../1BUDGiMkLrRxEvmykurRF.../preview

This hands-on workshop, hosted by the Grow: Johnson County farm staff, welcomes women + femme folks who want to feel more comfortable around tractors and heavy equipment. No experience necessary!

This class is designed for beginners with little to no background in equipment. Together, we’ll focus on safety, simple repairs, and driving skills—helping you build confidence and practical know-how to operate and maintain equipment on the farm. 

Participants must be 18.

What to Expect:

✅ Classroom instruction on tractor safety basics presented by I-CASH
✅ Hands-on practice: greasing, maintenance, safety checks
✅ Driving skills: Let’s get on the equipment! Participants will have a chance to practice bucket control, pallet fork exercises, 3-point hookup, and a tractor obstacle course

This event will be held at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.

Registration is required for this event. Register below or visit this link.

Join Iowa Valley RC&D & Global Food Project at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm for a hands-on produce safety workshop!

The workshop is free!

This class will have translation for Spanish and Swahili speakers. Together, we’ll learn about safe harvesting, washing, and packaging of vegetables and walk through the full harvest routine step by step. You’ll leave with practical tips to keep your produce fresh, safe, and ready for your customers.

Iowa Valley RC&D will be leading the class, and Global Food Project will provide translation services. We will be offering a class in English later this fall.

To Register Contact: kenna@ivrcd.org

Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Field Day and Open House

Hosted by: Iowa Valley RC&D, Johnson County, & Global Food Project 
Saturday August 2 from 4:00 - 7:30pm
4811 Melrose Ave, Iowa City

Join us at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm for an open house and field day event highlighting local food production. Explore innovative sustainable farming practices, connect with your community, get a bite to eat, and learn about the many community projects and partnerships at the farm. Enjoy a day of hands-on learning and discovery. Whether you're a farmer, gardener, food system advocate, or simply curious about table food farming in Iowa, this is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the land and learn from local experts. We look forward to seeing you there! This is a family-friendly event.

Agenda

Pre-event

2-4pm Food Safety Workshop
Schedule for the Night

4:00 pm: Welcome to the Farm! 

Introduction of JCHPF partners and Welcome from the Board of Supervisors 

4:15 pm: Global Food Project Market & Garden Tour

Experience vegetables from around the world and see different home garden techniques! Bring cash for the market. The cooler will be open all night to store your produce while you enjoy the night!  The market closes at 5:00pm. 

5:00 pm :Option 1: Iowa Valley RC&D Field Night

 "To Till or Not to Till - Lessons Learned from 3 Years of Vegetable No-Till Vegetable Production." 

Join IVRCD Staff and learn about no-till methods, watch a transplanter demonstration, and we'll share our first year outcomes for controlling Canadian thistle organically.

5:00 pm: Option 2: Historic Farm Tour

Join the Johnson County Historical Society to tour the buildings and fields.

6:00 pm: Land Access Program Producer Panel & Commercial Kitchen Viewing

"Land Access in Action: Meet JCPF Farmers" - moderated by Ilsa DeWald

7:00 pm: Natural Areas Tour - End the night with a hike or wagon tour of the fields, woodlands, and prairie

Throughout the Event:
• Kids area, multicultural story time with the Iowa City Public Library Bookmobile
• Food trucks
• Tabling from partner organizations
• Hands-on cover crop and equipment exploration

Growing Safe Workshop: Foundations of Farm & Garden Food Safety  <POSTPONED>

When: Saturday, Aug 2, 2025

Time: 2:00-3:45

Location: Johnson County Historic Poor Farm

Contact: emmaly@ivrcd.org

The workshop has been postponed, stay tuned for a future date and time!

Workshop Description:

This interactive workshop is designed for food farmers and market gardeners who are interested in strengthening their understanding of farm food safety practices—whether they are currently selling their products or planning to do so in the future.

Led by Iowa Valley RC&D’s Farmer Development team Emmaly and Kenna, workshop participants will be guided through the complete post-harvest process, from harvest to delivery. The session will cover essential topics including packhouse design and layout, workflow optimization, and sourcing affordable food safety supplies. Whether you’re new to on-farm food safety or looking to refine your systems, this workshop offers practical tools and insights to keep your veggies safe from field to consumer.

This workshop is free in part due to the USDA Land, Capital, and Market Access Program, but registration is required. Ages 16+. Limit: 20 participants. 

Register Here!

If you have questions please contact emmaly@ivrcd.org

Workshop Topics | Foundations of Farm & Garden Food Safety 

• Water Testing - Testing for E. Coli in your water system 

• Harvest Food Safety - Best fieldside practices + worker health

• Manure - Fertilizing safely

• Washing - How to properly wash and sanitize veggies

• Packaging & Labeling - Food Safe packaging and labeling for wholesale and beyond

• Packshed Design -  Tour packshed setups on site, from the simple to the commercial

• Transportation - Inspecting and preparing your vehicle for product delivery

After the class, join us for our family-friendly field day from 4-8pm at the same location. For more information, visit: Iowa Valley RC&D Field Day

Painting? At the Grow farm? Could it get any better?!

We’re partnering with Big Picture Art Gallery and Studio for a painting class and kombucha tasting! Join us on Thursday, July 10th from 6:30-8pm at the Grow: Johnson County Farm, 4811 Melrose Avenue, ticket Price is $35 per person, register below!

All proceeds from this workshop directly support Grow: Johnson County's farmer development programs. These initiatives provide training and resources to emerging local farmers while growing over 40,000 pounds of fresh produce each year for donation to area food access sites. 

Additional donations beyond the ticket price are warmly welcomed and will further support our mission!

Big thank you to Wild Culture Kombucha keg for donating a keg of Wild Culture kombucha for sipping at the event and for Big Picture Art Gallery and Studio for donating their time and supplies!

Register here!

Donate to our program here.

GROW: JOHNSON COUNTY IS TURNING TEN, Help us celebrate ten years of growing good food for our community at Big Grove Iowa City. Join us on Thursday, June 26th from 5-8 pm.

They’ll be door prizes, a silent auction, yard games, drinks, and cake !!!

Join us at the 40th Annual Bur Oak Land Trust Prairie Preview from 4:30 to 7 pm on Wednesday, May 14th at the University of Iowa IMU, 125 N Madison St, Iowa City, IA.

Prairie Preview will host more than 35 environmental organizations from across the state. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local and regional groups dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and environmental education. Whether you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, curious about local conservation projects, or simply eager to learn more about Iowa’s natural landscapes, the exhibitor fair is the perfect place to engage with passionate experts and fellow community members!

The fair showcases a diverse range of efforts aimed at protecting and enhancing our environment. Expect interactive booths, hands-on activities, and valuable insights on how you can make a difference in your own backyard and beyond.

For more details, visit buroaklandtrust.org

We're seeding, planting onions, or cutting potatoes EVERY Monday in April and could use some help!

Join us on Monday mornings from 9 am to noon and help us seed our spring veggies and plant onions!

Interested in joining in on the fun? Email us at grow@ivrcd.org and we'll "seed" ya on Mondays!

Help us protect, support, and celebrate the natural world!

Join us at Field to Family’s Opening Day Earth Week Fair from 4:30pm-6:00pm on April 24th at their warehouse, 1051 US-6 Iowa City, IA.

We're seeding, planting onions, or cutting potatoes EVERY Monday in April and could use some help!

Join us on Monday mornings from 9 am to noon and help us seed our spring veggies and plant onions!

Interested in joining in on the fun? Email us at grow@ivrcd.org and we'll "seed" ya on Mondays!

Help us celebrate Earth Day!

Join us for a tour of the farm and help us seed flowers in the greenhouse on Sunday, April 13th from 12:30-2pm! 

Email us at grow@ivrcd.org to sign up to volunteer!

Just a slight schedule change, we're going to move up Monday, April 14th's onion planting date (NO VOLUNTEERING THIS COMING MONDAY 4/14!) but would welcome extra hands TOMORROW 4/10 and FRIDAY 4/11 from 9 am-noon!

Interested in helping? Email us at grow@ivrcd.org!

Just a slight schedule change, we're going to move up Monday, April 14th's onion planting date (NO VOLUNTEERING THIS COMING MONDAY 4/14!) but would welcome extra hands TOMORROW 4/10 and FRIDAY 4/11 from 9 am-noon!

Interested in helping? Email us at grow@ivrcd.org!

We're <tentatively> planting onions on Wednesday, April 9th from 9 am to noon!

We could use some extra hands! If the weather doesn't cooperate and we need to change the date, we will email the volunteers who have signed up so please email us if you plan to join us!

If you’d like to volunteer, email us at grow@ivrcd.org to sign up!

We're seeding, planting onions, or cutting potatoes EVERY Monday in April and could use some help!

Join us on Monday mornings from 9 am to noon and help us seed our spring veggies and plant onions!

Interested in joining in on the fun? Email us at grow@ivrcd.org and we'll "seed" ya on Mondays!

The Iowa City Bike Library has a mission to get more people on bicycles. Each year, they host Farm Cycle. Farm Cycle is a full day bike ride with stops at various farms. At each stop, local food is prepared by chefs. The ride includes brunch and lunch from four chefs and four farm tours, including the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm. Brittni Leupold from New Pioneer Co-op will be the featured chef at the Historic Poor Farm. 

If you want to join along for the ride and bike out to local farms, meet your local farmers, and eat and drink delicious local food and craft beverage, find our more information at the link here.

Farm Cycle is $65 per person, student ticket prices available. The Bike Library also offers scholarships and family discounts. Send them an an email at info@bikelibrary.org to learn more.

Check in is at 9:30 am, for the full schedule, click here.

No-till vegetable production has a steep learning curve. For the past two years, we’ve been trialing various no-till cover crop and crop combinations at Grow to learn more about what works and what doesn’t work. 

On Tuesday, September 10th from 2-5pm, join us at Grow: Johnson County to learn more about organic no-till vegetable production. 

Presentations begin at 2:30 pm, Equipment Demo at 4pm, the no-till field day is open to the public. Featured guests, Kathleen Delate, Iowa State Extension Organic Specialist and Drew Erickson, Farm Manager with Rodale Midwest Institute.

We need volunteers to help us with landscaping at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm from Thursday, September 5th from 5-6:30 pm and could use your help, email us at grow@ivrcd.org to sign up to volunteer!

Join us on Thursday, August 22nd  from 5-7 pm to help plant native, edible, and beneficial plants at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm (4811 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City), green thumb appreciated but not required!  RSVP by emailing lisa@ivrcd.org.