TAMA – Tama County Women, Land & Legacy (WLL) announces its 56th event, “Roots, Wings & Wild Things: soil health, pollinators and beneficial insects” will be held on Tuesday, June 23 at the South Tama Elementary School prairie located at 1611 Country Club Drive in Tama. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on July 7 at the same time and location.

This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. Light refreshments will be served following the event. An RSVP is preferred by June 22 by phoning 641-484-2702, ext. 3 or by emailing melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net. Please bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather, including sturdy footwear.

Iowa NRCS Soil Health Specialist Hillary Olson will be comparing soil flora and fauna in the school prairie and a nearby row crop field, sharing valuable insights into soil health practices and how producers can improve soil fertility and overall food production sustainability. Hillary is a former Soil Conservationist in the local NRCS office in Toledo and several other Iowa NRCS offices before filling her current position in 2020. She was raised on a family row crop and hog operation in central Iowa and now farms a row crop operation with her husband. They also had a cow-calf herd for 20 years.

During Sarah Nizzi’s time at Drake University, she fell in love with native plants and began exploring the relationship between them and insects while working for the Xerces Society. Sarah is now a Partner Biologist with Iowa NRCS and will share on pollinators and other beneficial insects. She serves farmers and landowners across our state, helping them install pollinator conservation practices. She also trains NRCS and partner staff on pollinators, prairie management and native seed mix design.

Tama County WLL began in 2007, part of a statewide USDA outreach project. Over 500 individuals from in and around Tama County have attended at least one of the group’s events. Statewide, WLL is currently active in 45 Iowa counties and brings together Iowans interested in agriculture, local food and natural resources to converse, listen and become empowered for involvement on their landscape and in their communities.

For more information about the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1020755520294655.