Birds & Bees Urban Farm

06/01/2025

In April, Kathy chatted with Joe Weeg, who does the Joe’s Neighborhood column in Des Moines CITYVIEW magazine. This column will appear in the June issue. Pretty fun stuff, but now Ed will have to keep a closer eye on our basement.

Gardening as self-defense Posted on April 11, 2025 by Joe Lithograph made in World War II by the Stecher-Traung Lithograph Corp., Library of Congress. One of many prints issued by the government promoting gardens as a way for civilians to survive the then-existing food shortages. “Fill the bathtub...

05/28/2025

Thanks to the The Des Moines Register for this thoughtful and thorough story about our idea, and also to City of Des Moines - Government for seeing the benefits of developing more local-food options and opportunities for residents.

05/06/2025

We work to educate on local foods community-wide. Sometimes, fortunately for us, “community” is grandkids. Twenty-four hours at the urban farm (except for a jaunt to see a play) — no screen time. No one even asked.

04/30/2025

Affirmation of the cycle of food production. The map app “captured” both of us last May, and the image this year would look very similar. If you’re walking by, please stop and say hello!

04/29/2025

We have about 50 tomato plants to rehome, and they’re looking very strong this year. They still need a week or more to harden off, so they would be ready to pick up the first week of May. We have Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Amish Paste, Siciliana Rosa, Lemon Drop, and Mexico Midget. The last two are cherry tomatoes. We also have some red cabbage, onions, and celery to sell.

04/25/2025

Just seeing that City of Colfax, Iowa has been discussing their chicken ordinance. Four acres is very restrictive and doesn’t help those who might most benefit from having their own flocks. We’ll try to connect with someone soon to help educate council members on the benefits of increased local food production, including backyard poultry.

As egg prices continue to rise at the grocery stores, one Iowa resident wants her city to allow backyard chicken flocks.

04/19/2025

Whatever you call them - ramps, wild onions, wild leeks - we can only get them this time of year. Nope, we don’t grow them, but they do grow in various spaces that aren’t too far.

Here we’ve sauteed them on high heat till caramelized in oil and a little butter, sprinkled with salt and pepper, steamed a bit with a splash of white wine, and finished them with a sprinkle of mustard powder and a drizzle of pear-infused balsamic vinegar.

02/16/2025

We don't do a lot of maple sugaring, just enough to (hopefully) have a quart or two. We're hoping to see a good flow when this cold snap passes next week.

01/26/2025

Oh no, when I posted this, I forgot the photo. Here it is!

We love the growing season, but winter means more baking! Ed has always made good bread. This one uses whey leftover from our homemade yogurt. He has also perfected pie crust! Kathy makes and freezes filling throughout the fall. The apples in this particular pie were from Tesdell Farms - thanks, Lee Tesdell!

11/19/2024

We continue to deliver on our mission to relocalize and renormalize local, in-town food production! Thanks to all Des Moines “chicken tenders” who educated City of Des Moines - Government Council members and the general public on the role that hens AND roosters play in food security, especially in the face of climate change.

The city of Des Moines' latest ordinance will require neighbors to provide written consent that they're OK with living next door to a rooster.

11/08/2024

Want to have fun and do good this Sunday? Here’s your best opportunity, and you’ll meet some amazing folks, as well! Check it out. Oh, and pizza after. :) Thanks, Urban Ambassadors, for all you do!

Join our Trash Bash Sunday November 10th at the Birdland Park Marine near the Ding Darling Shelter! - https://mailchi.mp/urbanambassadors/see-you-at-green-drinks-11033308

10/14/2024

Great example of increased sustainability in farming, from Lee Tesdell!

While corn and soybeans dominate the Midwestern landscape today, some farmers are integrating strips of native prairie back into their fields. This conservation practice has expanded to more than a dozen states.