As Earth Day will be celebrated internationally this Sunday, April 22nd, I decided to do some research into a couple environmentally-focused events happening in Iowa City this weekend.
On Saturday, many members of the community will meet at the Boyd Law Building (130 Byington Road) to discuss the effects of mega-agribusiness Monsanto on our food, our farms, and our future. Entitled 'The Monsanto Hearings', this public forum will allow individuals to tell their stories on how they are affected by the corporation, from Monsanto's use of GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) and destructive use of land to pushing out family-owned farms and manipulation of food prices.
This hearing, which runs from 11am-2pm, is put on by a group called 'Compass'. Compass, which claims to be made up of "a loose collaboration of artists and activists", was formed this year to create the Monsanto Hearings so that the recorded testimonies may eventually be used to bring legal action against the agribusiness.
Refreshments will be served. For more information contact: monsanto.hearings@gmail.com
Later Saturday will come with presents from the Earth at the Spring Harvest Farmers' Market! Located at Grant Wood Elementary and running from 2pm-4pm, this market will be the last one held at Grant Wood before May when the Farmers' Market open up its stands in the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp next to City Hall downtown.
If you've never been to a Farmers' Market, then you have been sorely missing out on the most fresh and delicious produce, meats, desserts, jams, egg roles, and spices available in Johnson County. And all of the produce is far cheaper than any grocery store in town. Starting May 2nd, the Market runs on Wednesdays (5:30pm-7:30pm) and Saturdays (7:30am-12pm) until October. Saturdays are usually twice the size of Wednesdays as there are vendors selling coffee, crafts, and hot food, so it's worth getting up early for it.
However you celebrate Earth Day this year in Iowa City, do your best at least to pick up an extra piece of trash or ride your bike a little more... because Obama's going to be in town on the 25th! Seriously.
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