Fourteen organizations are working together in Fairfield during the months of March, April and May to provide free, quality programming and resources for backyard projects in sustainability. “These workshops and organized sales focus on sustainable efforts that community members can incorporate into their everyday lives and techniques they can utilize to improve their backyard landscapes,” says Scott Timm, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Fairfield.

Gardening workshops, given by local residents on how to attract birds and create habitat, develop edible landscapes and incorporate permaculture techniques, increase and identify pollinators, and strategies for composting will help residents get out of their homes and hands dirty this spring. The City of Fairfield and ISU Extension are also hosting a one day sale of high-quality, City-approved, Earth Machine composters for an amazing price of only $46 (first come, first served, April 24th); and the second annual Edible Cityscape sale by the Sustainable Living Coalition will expand its sale this year to berry bushes and a larger variety of fruit trees at extremely low prices. ($5-$15, May). In addition, the Jefferson County Conservation Board has scheduled a prairie burn, weather permitting, for next week.

Groups and speakers will be visiting from out of town presenting on sustainable topics as well. Russ Tell, from the DNR, will hold a workshop on how to identify wells and cisterns on your property – and either utilize them for gardening or safely deal with them. The team from COSC will be running workshops on green roof design and storm water runoff. Wayne Peterson and members from IDALS will present a workshop on rain garden design – followed by a hands-on workshop and an actual install in Fairfield with the help Mr. Peterson and the Master Gardener’s of Extension.

Backyard Abundance will visit Fairfield this Friday evening to kick off the workshop and lecture series with a presentation on creating bountiful backyard landscapes and resilient communities. For more information on events, the schedule, locations and workshop descriptions can be found on the City’s website, and you can also contact Scott Timm at the Extension office at stimm@iastate.edu.

For a a complete listing of workshops please download this printable brochure.