Polk County Master Gardeners, ISU Extension and Outreach upcoming events

Growing to Give: Empowering Donation Gardens (3 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us.

Alicia Herzog, Program Coordinator for Iowa State Extension and Outreach, Iowa Master Gardener Program, will present on how donation gardening and community-based horticulture projects can strengthen local support networks and increase access to fresh produce. Participants will learn practical ways to make an impact, donation garden basics, and the basics of partnering with food pantries to get produce to neighbors in need.

Urban Forestry in Action: Planting for the Future (16 Jun 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us.

Led by Austin Decker, Urban Forestry Supervisor for the City of West Des Moines’ Public Services Department, this program offers practical, research-based guidance on proper tree planting and long-term care. Attendees will learn how to select the right tree for the right place, avoid common planting mistakes, and address typical tree health issues in urban landscapes. A live planting demonstration will walk through correct techniques step by step. Participants will leave with the knowledge and confidence to support a healthier, more resilient community canopy.

Preventing Garden Injury (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us.

Seth Bonifas and Jake Stearns are presenting a program where you will learn simple exercises that help prevent injuries while gardening. Speakers are Physical Therapists with combined credentials: PT, DPT & ATC.

Honey Bees: The Other Livestock (1 Jul 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us.

Join Tim and Christie Flickinger for a discussion on the challenges and joys of hosting honeybee hives in Iowa. Topics include starting a hive, maintenance, harvesting honey and dealing with environmental issues.

Restoring Roots: Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Seed Stewardship (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us.

Marianna G. M. Cota, MPH, Food Sovereignty Coordinator for the Meskwaki Nation, will share insights on Indigenous food systems, seed stewardship, and community-centered approaches to land and nourishment. This lecture will explore the meaning of food sovereignty, the cultural and ecological importance of traditional crops, and ongoing efforts to restore Native foodways in Iowa. Attendees will gain perspective on how history, resilience, and environmental care intersect in Indigenous agriculture. The program invites gardeners and community members alike to consider how cultivating food can also cultivate cultural understanding and long-term sustainability.

Making Land Resilient and Supporting Habitat (25 Aug 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us.

Andy James with Prairie Fire restoration will present on land resiliency and supporting native habitats. Andy is a Master Conservationist and Woodland Steward. This program will increase your skills in managing the land you’re responsible for while creating an awareness of alien verses native flora & fauna.