Research affirms that the act of gardening is therapeutic. In addition to producing food and beauty, gardens grow healthier minds and social networks. From soil to soul, this inspirational, fun workshop at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) offers food for thought on how nurturing botanical life can heal our mental and physical challenges. We will learn to build from the ground up to harvest nutrition and cultivate hope, peace and strength for the next generation. Enjoy a beautiful overnight retreat in the garden with reflective, hands-on learning. On Saturday morning, Scott Koepke will facilitate Garden Bridge Outreach, a 90-minute interactive garden life-skill education service that helps people in developing a garden. Surrounding that session, Aaron Brewer and other Prairiewoods staff members will offer a variety of mindful, ecological experiences Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Activities include: deepening our understanding of food as common ground in a polarized world, and asking ourselves “What are we ingesting?” (Is it helpful or harmful?); roots as routes (multiple path options that feed the plant and the person); lessons of compost (transforming old life into new life); and discerning what we can and cannot control as a means of examining emotional energy use. Together we will focus on life skill themes, including hope, balance, patience, respect, resilience, nurturance, healthy choices, trust, humility, listening, gratitude and peace (addressing anger management, conflict resolution, anxiety/stress, fear). Retreatants will be encouraged to choose at least one of the life skills as a personal goal that is characterized as a “seed.” Seeds need four elements—sun, soil, air and water—to grow. We will identify four actions needed to grow our goal on a personal garden map. We can either observe or assist in simple garden bed maintenance (including watering, weeding and harvesting). We will also get basic garden knowledge (including soil preparation, seed sowing, transplanting, mulch, hydration, pest monitoring, proper spacing and companion planting). Samples of seasonal vegetables will be offered. On Saturday afternoon, we will also learn about establishing a pollinator garden. From establishment to plant sourcing and ongoing care, come learn the ins and outs starting a pollinator garden in your own front or backyard. Local professionals will be present and answer questions about onsite selection, how to get rid of grass, where to source plants and seeds, benefits of having your own pocket prairie, and other tips and tricks. A third component of this day will include basic tree identification. Have you ever wanted to know more about the trees that grow in our urban forests and natural woodlands? We will cover basic tree identification, leaving us with tools to identify and care for backyard trees and to grow a renewed appreciation for these sacred plants. Scott Koepke is the founder of Garden Bridge Outreach, was the farm manager for Indian Creek Nature Center, is an Iowa Board of Educational Examiners licensed substitute teacher, and is the 2019 recipient of the Iowa State Education Association’s Friend of Education Award. He founded New Pioneer Food Co-op’s Soilmates, a garden and life-skill education service for children, and co-founded Grow Johnson County, a hunger relief farm. Scott has taught garden life-skill curricula at both juvenile and adult correctional facilities and has served as staff counselor at Linn County Juvenile Detention Center. He is a graduate of Iowa State University, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and a certified Adverse Childhood Experiences instructor. Aaron Brewer studied parks and natural resources and conservation management at Upper Iowa University, leading to his involvement with Brucemore, Trees Forever, AmeriCorps and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Originally from Iowa City, Aaron lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Maribel. As Prairiewoods’ Land Sustainability Coordinator, you’ll find him practicing his passion for gardening and managing the 70 acres of timber and prairie restoration projects. The cost of this overnight retreat is $175 and includes sessions, lodging, and Saturday breakfast and lunch. The commuter fee is $100 and includes sessions and Saturday lunch. (Scholarships are available.) For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at www.Prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700.
