Thanks for sharing the writers' experience at the Garst farm. It was Harold Lee's book that inspired me to start a business in a former Communist country in 1992 after the Velvet Revolution. In 1990, I was privileged to serve as Dubuque County chair of John Chrystal's campaign for governor, during which he shared with me stories of the times the CIA would brief him and his uncle Roswell when they would arrive home from Moscow. I didn't get to ride to the country in a car with President Vaclav Havel, like John and Rosewell did with Khrushchev, but I did get to meet him and become well acquainted with many of the dissidents who worked with and advised him. The Garst family are examples of the power of thoughtful conversation and friendship.
Listening to Liz was fascinating! Somehow, despite being a farmer’s daughter (and that far farmer being one who likes history), I had never heard any of this story. It was already so interesting to learn all of the context surrounding everything at the time— and then to learn the Des Moines Register writer’s role?? Wow!!
I loved staying on this farm. The Hollyhock Cottage was cozy and adorable. The barn-lot cats kept me company as I sat out on the lawn enjoying a peaceful spring evening. I hope to get back sometime! Thanks again for this educational and enlightening experience!
I'm jealous. What a fabulous learning, sharing time with even more fabulous people. I hope Vilsack takes you up on your suggestion that he contact Liz Garst. With folks like you in the world, there is hope. Thanks for sharing this fantastic time in Coon Rapids. Hope your surgery goes well. Mine was a piece of cake. Hope yours is too.
I worked as a "shovel bum" for around ten years auger testing lots of Iowa soil, tuest me, if you find that black stuff everybody talks about, it is either very deeply buried or more likely organic clay that is far from the loam created by the prairies. My job was archaeology at the time and I dug thousands of holes from Soiux City, to Des Moines, from Burlington to Dubuque and thousands of places in between, and it is a rare day when you find a great loamy black top soil. For that matter, being outdoors so much of the time, when in the course of a summer you see maybe 7 bumble bees and rarely a wild bee, you know things aren't getting better chemically! I grew up on a dairiy farm along the edge of the timber, Meadow Larks and cow birds were common sights as were snakes along the highways, no more! Anhydrous Amonnia injected into the ground is a wonderful killer of many animals that burrow into the ground because it freezes their lungs! Badgers, rabbilts, field mice, moles, ground squirels, and snakes are simply eliminated from the landscape. Let us not forget that all this genetically patent protected seed probably has killedoff more insects than we give it create for, the Monarch Butterfly died off because it was discovered that it would eat the pollen on the corn and die as a result! Now you have to ask permission to study anything protected by a patient, and if there is any possibility it will show that the patented product could potentially be harmed by that research, well, you know the answer, it isn't going to happen and if it does someone will get sued! Villsack believes everything the shills in Ames tell him, Iowa State is like the personal property of Monsanto, Bayer, the seed companies and the Farm Bureau! What makes good sense is not what makes good money, that is why Ms. Garst is unhappy with both the Democrats and the Republicans, That's a fact Jack!
Good on you, Julie Gammack, for scheduling this conference at the Conservancy. Thank you for bringing Liz Garst to the table! We all need to be reminded of the time when people gathered to talk and how conversation can and will always lower the temperature and enlighten.
This concept defines the work of the IWC and I admire what all of you do. You are making a difference. Your words, your voices, will continue to help to lower the temperature and enlighten. You are helping our state find its center again. Thank you!
I felt so lucky to stay in the Garst farmhouse! With the cattle lowing and goats bleating and barn-cats scurrying, I felt I was back on an Iowa farm in the 60s/70s of my childhood. And the weight of history made the experience even more meaningful.
Liz is terrific and her stories are enlightening. I was privileged to stay in the River House for several weeks on a writing retreat thanks to Liz and Mary Swander. Inspiring place to hike and explore.
Thanks for sharing the writers' experience at the Garst farm. It was Harold Lee's book that inspired me to start a business in a former Communist country in 1992 after the Velvet Revolution. In 1990, I was privileged to serve as Dubuque County chair of John Chrystal's campaign for governor, during which he shared with me stories of the times the CIA would brief him and his uncle Roswell when they would arrive home from Moscow. I didn't get to ride to the country in a car with President Vaclav Havel, like John and Rosewell did with Khrushchev, but I did get to meet him and become well acquainted with many of the dissidents who worked with and advised him. The Garst family are examples of the power of thoughtful conversation and friendship.
Thanks for sharing this perspective!
Listening to Liz was fascinating! Somehow, despite being a farmer’s daughter (and that far farmer being one who likes history), I had never heard any of this story. It was already so interesting to learn all of the context surrounding everything at the time— and then to learn the Des Moines Register writer’s role?? Wow!!
I loved staying on this farm. The Hollyhock Cottage was cozy and adorable. The barn-lot cats kept me company as I sat out on the lawn enjoying a peaceful spring evening. I hope to get back sometime! Thanks again for this educational and enlightening experience!
It was a special time!
I'm jealous. What a fabulous learning, sharing time with even more fabulous people. I hope Vilsack takes you up on your suggestion that he contact Liz Garst. With folks like you in the world, there is hope. Thanks for sharing this fantastic time in Coon Rapids. Hope your surgery goes well. Mine was a piece of cake. Hope yours is too.
Thanks! Diana, why not consider creating something similar around your subject matter interests?
I worked as a "shovel bum" for around ten years auger testing lots of Iowa soil, tuest me, if you find that black stuff everybody talks about, it is either very deeply buried or more likely organic clay that is far from the loam created by the prairies. My job was archaeology at the time and I dug thousands of holes from Soiux City, to Des Moines, from Burlington to Dubuque and thousands of places in between, and it is a rare day when you find a great loamy black top soil. For that matter, being outdoors so much of the time, when in the course of a summer you see maybe 7 bumble bees and rarely a wild bee, you know things aren't getting better chemically! I grew up on a dairiy farm along the edge of the timber, Meadow Larks and cow birds were common sights as were snakes along the highways, no more! Anhydrous Amonnia injected into the ground is a wonderful killer of many animals that burrow into the ground because it freezes their lungs! Badgers, rabbilts, field mice, moles, ground squirels, and snakes are simply eliminated from the landscape. Let us not forget that all this genetically patent protected seed probably has killedoff more insects than we give it create for, the Monarch Butterfly died off because it was discovered that it would eat the pollen on the corn and die as a result! Now you have to ask permission to study anything protected by a patient, and if there is any possibility it will show that the patented product could potentially be harmed by that research, well, you know the answer, it isn't going to happen and if it does someone will get sued! Villsack believes everything the shills in Ames tell him, Iowa State is like the personal property of Monsanto, Bayer, the seed companies and the Farm Bureau! What makes good sense is not what makes good money, that is why Ms. Garst is unhappy with both the Democrats and the Republicans, That's a fact Jack!
Good on you, Julie Gammack, for scheduling this conference at the Conservancy. Thank you for bringing Liz Garst to the table! We all need to be reminded of the time when people gathered to talk and how conversation can and will always lower the temperature and enlighten.
This concept defines the work of the IWC and I admire what all of you do. You are making a difference. Your words, your voices, will continue to help to lower the temperature and enlighten. You are helping our state find its center again. Thank you!
Thanks, Kathi! Your support in all ways gives us such a lift.
I felt so lucky to stay in the Garst farmhouse! With the cattle lowing and goats bleating and barn-cats scurrying, I felt I was back on an Iowa farm in the 60s/70s of my childhood. And the weight of history made the experience even more meaningful.
Liz is terrific and her stories are enlightening. I was privileged to stay in the River House for several weeks on a writing retreat thanks to Liz and Mary Swander. Inspiring place to hike and explore.
Good luck with this project.
What a terrific gathering! Liz Garst is a play-maker. Thanks for sharing.