U-Pick Cut Flowers: Production and Management
Sunday, August 18 | 2 – 4 p.m. | Donahue, IA
When customers arrive at Miss Effie’s, they are given a bucket and a pair of garden clippers, and fill a bucket with flowers, as full as they like, for one flat price. Cathy will give a tour of the 2-acre farm, discuss her methods for no-till flower farming and share how she manages a destination U-pick farm with excellent customer satisfaction. She will also discuss how the “structures” she has repurposed were created, like old corn cribs dubbed “corn-zebos” that are used as seating areas for farm visitors.
HOST: Cathy Lafrenz | Miss Effie’s Country Flowers and Garden Stuff | (563) 282-4338
THE FARM:
Cathy Lafrenz founded Miss Effie’s Country Flowers and Garden Stuff in 2002. Miss Effie’s is Iowa’s first U-pick flower farm, featuring over 90 varieties of flowers. The farm also boasts a “Summer Kitchen” store, and eggs from 20 different breeds of chickens. Miss Effie’s is a partner site of Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
TOPICS:
- No-till cut flower production
- Perennial and annual flowers
- Pollinator patch
- Managing a U-pick farm
- Agritourism
- “Structures” for customer seating and shade
- Customer service and enjoyment
- Heritage-breed laying hens
LOCATION: 27387 130th Ave. Donahue 52746
DIRECTIONS:
Miss Effie’s is 2.5 miles east of the town of Donahue. From Donahue, head north out of town on N. Main Street / 115th Avenue. A half-mile after leaving town, turn right (east) onto 275th Street, go 1.5 miles and turn right (south) onto 130th Avenue. Miss Effie’s is the first house on the left (east) side of the road.
MEAL INFORMATION:
Light refreshments will follow the field day.
2019 Field Day Sponsors
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