March 22, 2022
Imagine Grinnell’s 1000Trees Project invites the public to attend a fruit tree workshop on April 9 at 10-11 a.m. at Ahrens Park. Dr. Suzanne Slack, a faculty member at Iowa State University, will discuss the planting of bare root fruit trees as well as care and maintenance of fruit trees in general. Community members wishing to attend the workshop should register by emailing info@imaginegrinnell.org or via the website imaginegrinnell.org. A drawing will be held to give away several free bare root fruit trees to workshop attendees. Anyone intending to plant any kind of tree or bush this spring is reminded to contact Iowa One Call prior to digging: www.iowaonecall.com or 1-800-292-8989.
Dr. Slack joined the Horticulture faculty at Iowa State University in late 2021 specializing in fruit production. She received her PhD from Michigan State in 2020; her dissertation topic was on the tree fruit disease fire blight. Her new fruit program at Iowa State aims to improve fruit production in Iowa.
As part of its goal to plant 1000 trees in the Grinnell area by 2023, 1000Trees will plant a variety of fruit trees including apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry at Ahrens Park, Marvin Garden, Davis Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Grinnell High School and Windsor Manor. Volunteers to help with the plantings are needed on April 7 and or 8 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and April 9 from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help plant, stake, mulch and water the trees under the guidance of 1000Trees committee member Marion Chamberland. Volunteers will meet outside the Ahrens Foundation building in Ahrens Park. Volunteers should sign up using the genius link on the Imagine Grinnell website: Imaginegrinnell.org or call 641-236-5518 extension 109 or email info@imaginegrinnell.com.
The 1000Trees steering committee continues to organize a plan to systematically replant and support new trees in Grinnell. If you would like to donate to the initiative, please go to the Imagine Grinnell website, https://www.imaginegrinnell.org/support, and designate 1000Trees in the drop down option. Follow Imagine Grinnell’s facebook page and website for information on upcoming opportunities to volunteer.
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About Imagine Grinnell
Imagine Grinnell is a partner program of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation focused on creating healthier people and a healthier environment in the Grinnell community. The mission of Imagine Grinnell is to turn imagination into action to create a more vibrant, sustainable, and healthy Grinnell. For more information about Imagine Grinnell or to get involved, please visit imaginegrinnell.org or call 641-236-5518.
