The Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach 2026 Seeds for Thought Garden Symposium will be held on Saturday October 10 from 9 am—3 pm at the Grinnell College campus in Grinnell. This event is a joint effort by the county Extension horticulture staff and Master Gardeners from Jasper, Mahaska, Marion and Poweshiek counties. For 2026, this popular annual event moved from Jasper County (Newton) to Poweshiek County (Grinnell) and from spring to fall.
This educational event is open to all who are interested and will offer a variety of topics that are sure to match any gardener’s interests and provide a fun day of learning for gardeners of any experience level. Gardeners (or gardening hopefuls!) can learn and grow their skills with educational breakout sessions on topics.
The event will feature two keynote speakers. The morning keynote speaker is Lisa Hinzman Howard, Midwest Gal; she will present “Cheap Tricks Gardening: Cause you Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune for Fabulous”. The afternoon keynote speaker is Dan Fillius, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Commercial Vegetable Crops Field Specialist; he will present “Understanding Iowa Weather”.
There will be two sessions of breakout sessions, with options to choose from. Breakout session presenters and presentations are Dan Fillius, Commercial Vegetable Crops Field Specialist, “What’s Wrong With My Plants? Scouting for Vegetable Pests and Diseases “; Ray Kruse, Dubuque County Extension Horticulturist, “Soil Testing and Interpretation of your Soil Test” and “The Difference Between Soil, Potting Mix, and Other Bagged Amendments”; and Randall Vos, Commercial Fruit Crops Field Specialist; “Other Fruits To Try Growing in Your Yard” and “Shedding Some Light on Plant Lighting”.
The registration fee is $45 and includes: two keynote presentations, two breakout sessions, and lunch. The registration deadline is October 1. After October 1, please call Poweshiek County for availability at 641-623-5188. If space is available there will be an additional $15 late fee.
To register visit https://go.iastate.edu/PZSH6H. Sponsoring organizations include Grinnell College, Farm Credit Services, ISU Extension and Outreach from Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, and Poweshiek Counties.
