Establishing Pollinator Habitat at Scattergood Friends School Farm

Tuesday, September 17 | 4 – 7 p.m. | West Branch, IA

In partnership with Xerces Society

Mark Quee e1552610469205Come learn from Scattergood staff and students, as well as Xerces Society biologist Sarah Foltz Jordan, about the why, when, where and how of pollinator habitat design and installation. Mark and Sarah will address farmer concerns about weed control using organic methods. They will also discuss plugs versus seeds and habitat management. Sarah Nizzi, the Natural Resources Conservation Service partner biologist for Xerces Society, will join to offer insights about cost-share opportunities available through farm bill programs.

RSVP by Sept. 13

HOST: Mark Quee | Scattergood Friends Farm | (319) 530-3782

SPEAKERS: From Xerces Society – Sarah Foltz Jordan & Sarah Nizzi, Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Planner and NRCS Partner Biologist in Iowa

THE FARM:

Scattergood Friends Farm is part of Scattergood Friends School, a small Quaker boarding school about 15 miles east of Iowa City. The farm includes 8 acres of organic gardens and orchards certified organic by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and about 30 acres of pasture used to grass-finish beef and lamb. Scattergood also raises a few heritage-breed Guinea hogs, a small flock of turkeys and occasional broiler and laying chicken flocks.

Scattergood primarily grows food for the school, but has in the past produced for farmers markets, New Pioneer Co-op and a small CSA. The school has been an example of an extreme farm-to-school program since 1890, but more recently since 2003, when a decision was made to raise much of the food consumed at Scattergood. Field day host Mark Quee has been the farm manager at Scattergood for 16 years.

TOPICS:

  • Beneficial insect habitat placement and design
  • Weed control and site preparation using organic methods
  • Insectary strip planting from plugs versus seed
  • Short- and long-term management
  • Ecological benefits of habitat
  • Native-plant tea garden

This event is sponsored by:

LOCATION: 258 290th St. West Branch 52358

DIRECTIONS:

From Iowa City: Take I-80 east for 9.7 miles and take Exit 254 north into West Branch. Turn right onto Main Street (it turns into Herbert Hoover Highway) and go about 1.5 miles; the farm is on the right.

MEAL INFORMATION:

Dinner will be served following the field day in the Scattergood Friends School cafeteria.Please RSVP by clicking the blue button below. 

We take RSVP numbers to get an idea of the amount of food that we need to provide for the event. If you RSVP after the deadline but before the event, you are still welcome, but we cannot guarantee a meal.

RSVP by Sept. 13


2019 Field Day Sponsors

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This material is based upon the work supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 69-6114-17-007. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.