IOWA FOCUS: Sustainable Agriculture, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

IOWA ACT BLUE SITE: donate to help elect Democrats in Iowa. Since big corporations are targeting local Iowa Democrats, we are the ones who have to stand up to them.

Here are some Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Events:

Blazing a New Trail 3, March 22 9 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., North Iowa Community College Center, Cresco. Organic farmers and those who would like to learn about organic farming are invited to register for this conference. Coordinated by ISU Extension of Howard County. Topics include the changing climate, trends in organic weed management, organic grain and forage crop rotations, managing nutrient inputs, corn specialties in organic farming, and organic dairy. Pre-registration required. Contact: Howard County Extension, (563) 547-3001, or Charles Baier, cfbceed@iastate.edu.

Advancing Renewables in the Midwest
Mar 25, 2008
Scheman Building, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
DescriptionAnyone interested in renewable energy and energy efficiency should attend. The focus of the conference is to increase communication regarding renewable energy development in the Midwest. Region-based renewable energy projects and technologies involving Wind, Efficiency, Biomass and Solar, are discussed and exhibited at this one-day event. Please take a moment to check www.ucs.iastate.edu/arm

Iowa Rivers Revival Third Annual Conference Rediscovering Our Rivers: Greenbelts, Habitats, Clean Water and Fun, April 4-6, Iowa Falls. Iowa Rivers Revival is an Iowa organization working to restore and protect our rivers and greenbelts for health, recreation, tourism and conservation ethics through education and advocacy. Contact: Rosalyn Lehman, roz.lehman@mchsi.com.

Blues For Greens
Sat, Apr 19, 10:00 – 16:00
Walnut Street Bridge in Des Moines
DescriptionIowa Clean Cities Coaltion & the American Lung Association will be hosting the 2nd Annual Blues for Greens Earth Day Festival. This family-friendly event will include music, food, & the opportunity to learrn about "green technology". For more info contact Kristin Nowak at 515- 309-9507 or kristin_at_bluesforgreens.com http//www.bluesforgreens.com Stop by and visit the I-Renew booth.

Earth Day in the Junction
Sun, Apr 20, 09:00 – 15:00
Valley Junction , 5th & Railroad in West Des Moines
DescriptionThis year's collaborative event is packed with family-friendly activities, exhibitors & entertainment. For more information visit: www.earthdayinthejunction.org Contact Beth Hibbins at 515-309-0224 X 116 or bgibbins_at_gdmahabitat.org

SEED Mid year conference
Apr 26, 2008
Davenport North High School
SEED ( sustainable ecological economic development ) will hold their mid year conference. To register or for more information contact: richlands@earthlink.net

Sustainable Ecological Economic Development Mid Year Conference
SEED Mid year conference
Apr 26, 2008
Davenport North High School, Davenport, IA

SEED ( sustainable ecological economic development ) will hold their mid year conference in April in Davenport. To register or for more information contact: richlands_at_earthlink.net

Iowa Children’s Water Festival, May 8, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny. Volunteers, presenters and donations to support the festival are being recruited now! The festival is a "Splash of Educational Fun" for approximately 2,300 fifth graders from communities across Iowa. This fun, hands on learning experience includes classroom instruction, an exhibit hall, games and much more concerning all the many aspects of water. Contact: Laura Ceretti, (515) 283-8705, ceretti@dmww.com.

Recycle/renew/reuse event at Prairiewoods
Jun 20 – 22 2008
Prairiewoods, Hiawatha, Iowa
Friday 4-9, Saturday 8-8, Sunday 8-noon http://www.prairiewoods.org/


Peace Vigils:

Weekly Anti-War Vigil at Nollen Plaza
Every Thursday
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Nollen Plaza, 3rd and Locust Des Moines, IA
Contact: Wendy Vasquez
Please join us for this weekly witness against the war.
For more information, contact Wendy Vasquez at 515-771-8656.

Women for Peace Knitters
Supporting the peaceful arts of knitting and crocheting. This group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 am at Prairiewoods, 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha. (Group also meets fourth Tuesdays each month at Marion Public Library, 7-8:30 pm., Marion.) For more information call 377-3252.

Cedar Rapids Peace Vigil
Women for Peace, Iowa, meet each Saturday at noon at the corner of 1st Avenue and Collins Road.


Here is a Democracy for America meetup I found:

Cedar Rapids Democracy for America MeetUp
Event Date: Monday, January 14, 2008
Event Time: 7:00 PM
Venue Name: Java Creek Cafe
Address: 588 Boyson Rd. NE
City: Cedar Rapids
State: IA
Zip Code: 52402


And for those who are focused on combining fun and politics, here are the local Drinking Liberally groups in Iowa:

Ames, Iowa
* Every Friday, 5:00 pm onward
* Legends American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave, 7th Floor (in Campustown)
* The group will meet in the large accessible party room left of the elevators unless it is booked by a larger group. We will then be in the Sky Box. Ask a waiter for our location.
* Hosted by Jan Bauer and Brent Wynja, ames (at) drinkingliberally.org

Des Moines
* Every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. onward
* The Lift, 222 4th St (between Court Ave and Walnut)
* Hosted by Amanda Mittlestadt, Tricia Kell, Cassie Samspon and Matt Jesson, desmoines (at) drinkingliberally.org

West Des Moines
* Third Friday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* Tonic, 5535 George M Mills Civic Pky (within West Glen Towncenter)
* Hosted by Cassie Sampson, Mikael Brown and Jenny Irlmeier, wdsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

Eating Liberally
* Second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:30 pm
* Continental Wine Bar, 428 E Locust St
* Hosted by Marcus Walsh and Tricia Kell, desmoines (at) eatingliberally.org

Iowa City, Iowa
* Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
* The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington St