Fruit and Vegetable Field Day June 7, Gary and Nancy Guthrie Farm, 58444 260th St., Nevada This CSA garden walk from 6-9 pm will include organic management of cucumber beetle in muskmelon with Mark Gleason of ISU Horticulture, "Life in Iowa" internship program, strawberries and homemade ice cream. This event is sponsored by Practical Farmers of Iowa and Iowa Network for Community Agriculture. Directions: from Highway 30 west of Nevada, go south two miles on 580th Ave. (R-70), then turn left and go one-third mile on 260th St. For more info, (515) 382-3117, or e-mail at <[log in to unmask]> The 9th Iowa Prairie Conference: The Practical Prairie July 11-13, Ames The Iowa Prairie Conference, hosted by the Iowa Prairie Network, will be held at the Iowa State Center Scheman Building on Iowa State University's campus in Ames. The event promises information for beginners and experts alike with speakers ranging from prairie practitioners to academic researchers. Register early to ensure the field trip of your choice. For additional information and registration forms, download the forms at <http://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/Prairie_conference/registration.htm> or contact Inger Lamb at (515) 963-7681or (515) 240-4358. UNI joins Practical Farmers of Iowa to launch 'Buy Local' program "Buy Fresh, Buy Local," is a program that will make it easier for Black Hawk and nearby counties to find locally grown agricultural products. The program is sponsored by the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, and the Practical Farmers of Iowa. Kamyar Enshayan, adjunct assistant professor of physics at UNI and campaign organizer, said the groups have put together a "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" directory of farms, farmers' markets and meat lockers in Black Hawk and nearby counties that sell locally grown products. Also included are grocers and restaurants that feature local food. For more information, contact Kamyar Enshayan at (319) 273-7575; or Todd Kim at (515) 232-5661, ext. 108. Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] www.iowa.sierraclub.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]