Please join Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener Program at Reiman Gardens for a full day of learning and hands-on experiences focused on growing gardens that give back. Start the morning with a volunteer service project (optional), then dive into practical workshops and trainings designed for home gardeners, Master Gardeners, food pantry staff, volunteers, and SNAP/WIC recipients.

Learn about community-powered food donation programs such as Reiman Gardens’ Grow & Give program, and ISU Extension & Outreach’s Iowa Donation Garden Network, and what you can do to grow produce for donation, whether you have a big yard or a small apartment.

Explore additional options such as composting, square-foot gardening, plant pest/disease identification, and more. You’ll leave with a bounty of resources and opportunities to get involved.

Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned grower, this program offers tools and inspiration to help us all fight food insecurity together.

Schedule and Sessions:

*8:00 – 8:30 AM: Welcome & Intro (for folks participating in the Group Volunteer Activity)

*8:40 – 9:40 AM: Group Volunteer Activity with Luke Murray, Reiman Gardens’ Groundskeeper* (MAX 20)

9:50 – 10:50 AM: Intro to Grow & Give and the IA Donation Garden Network – Kim Hope, Reiman Gardens’ Director of Service and Learning, and Alicia Herzog, Iowa Master Gardener Program Manager

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Morning Session Program (CHOOSE 1):

• Cubic Foot Gardening – Jacob Roberts, Reiman Gardens’ Horticulturist
• The Comprehensive Composting Course: Making, Managing, and Using Garden Gold – Aaron Steil, ISU Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist

12:00 – 2:00 PM: Lunch on your own

• guests get coupon for Clayton Farms and other local options

2:00 – 2:40 PM: Produce Safety Training – Andre Salazar, ISU Extension, Ag & Natural Resources Education Specialist – Safe Produce

2:50 – 3:50 PM: Afternoon Session Program (CHOOSE 1):

• Plant It, Pass It On: Seed & Plant Sharing, and Growing Herbs in Containers – Alice McGary and Schontonia Davis, Mustard Seed Farm
• Help! My Tomatoes are Sick!: Tips and Tricks to Getting to the Root of Plant Health Problems – Chelsea J. Harbach, Ph.D., Director of Diagnostics – ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic (PIDC)

4:00 – 4:15 PM: Evaluation & Closing with Gratitude

This program is a cooperation between Reiman Gardens, the Iowa Master Gardener Program and Story County Iowa Master Gardeners.

Register here:  https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/event/feed-need-growing-good-community-engagement-summit