We had a group of DMACC students out to tour the farm today, learning about different types of local agriculture and small business. Here's Donna, doing her "professor thing". :)

Our wonderfully talented friend Angie is teaching a papermaking class at Prairieland Herbs, Saturday, September 11, from 1-3! She took some wonderful pictures of the process. I think it's so amazing to take JUNK MAIL, and turn it into something useful and beautiful! And have fun and be creative at the same time.


This class is going to be a lot of fun - we'll play with adding dried herbs and flowers, maybe some natural colorants, and even animal fibers, to add texture and interest to the paper. Angie is a creative genius, and super-friendly. Fun is guaranteed. :)





Also you get to take your paper-making screen (provided in class) home with you, so you can make more paper at home!




If you're interested in this class, please register online!

Some photo's from yesterday's super fun Sample Sunday :)


And more, here!

(photo from Des Moines Register)

It's wet here.

Not just wet, but flooding. Flash flooding, regular flooding, power outages, water main breaks....and more rain expected Friday.

Prairieland herbs is fine. The ground is soggy, the weeds are huge, the owners are tired of the triple digit heat indexes day after day...but we are not flooded. The roads near us our open, our roofs are tight, and our basements are dry. We are grateful.

But for our neighboring cities Ames, and Des Moines, the picture is not so pretty.

Here's an excellent blog post about the local flooding.

Our soapmaker, Karla, lives 4 miles north of Ames - the city that is experiencing the most massive flooding. She and her husband were awake all Tuesday night, while the storms raged, trying to keep their basement (her soap room) dry. At one point, they had four, yes, FOUR, sump pumps running to try and keep up. Between that, and the road closings all around her area, it's going to be difficult for her to get us soap for the next few days. We may experience some shipping delays; I hope you understand.

Driving to work, I can see the ditches are full of water. Whole sections of fields are drowned out. Small creeks have turned into small rivers. Dragonflies and frogs are EVERYWHERE. Strange and beautiful faerie rings of mushrooms are popping up everywhere. We are living in a swampland!


More photos of local flooding here: Des Moines Register photos

August luxury soap of the month is here! Juicy mint! This soap could NOT be more perfect for our hot and sticky weather. It is just perfect! Minty-cool with a hint of refreshing citrus. Unisex, refreshing, cool, and smells like candy YUM! Contains a blend of mint and citrus essential oils, has big bubbly lather, and cleans like nobody's business! We have 40 bars of this soap, and when it's gone, it's gone, so get yours now!

That's right, folks...it's almost Sample Sunday time again! Join us this Sunday, August 15, rain or shine (We have two air-conditioned buildings!) for a wonderful time in the country! Here's what's happening...

Lynn Marie Parkey of Gauranga Reiki will offer 25 diffuser charm necklaces and free mini-reiki. What's reiki, you ask? It's like an energy massage! A gentle, natural way to soothe, heal, and promote relaxation. Don't be shy..give it a try. :)


Melodie Proffitt, of Mind and Body Massage Therapy will be offering $30 reflexology sessions, $1 a minute chair massage, and has beautiful new art to showcase.




Tracy Barton-Rouse of Compassionate Creations will have beautiful, yoga-inspired jewelry for sale!



Dawn Suarez of Morning Rain Massage will have chair massages, ear candles for sale, and henna tattoos, $25 hula hoops, PLUS a SUPER COOL Tye-dye station! Bring your own item(s) to dye, $10 per item, make a mess and have lots of fun doing some fun and funky tye-dyeing!



Laura Hess will be offering SHIMMERLITES, fun, washable, semi-permanent sparkling hair highights! (I wear them and get more compliments...they are so fun). Also, she has beautiful, affordable typewriter jewelry and bottlecap keychains.





Michelle White of Beautiful People Organic Salon will be offering free hair consultations and doing mini manicures for $10. (She uses wonderful Prairieland Herbs products in her full, in-salon pedicures...and is our official "prairieland herbs pedicurist" - do make an appointment with her, you won't be sorry!). She will also have some natural haircare and styling products for sale - we get asked about natural styling products ALL THE TIME so this is a great time to talk to Michelle about options and recommendations!


We have two new guest vendors this time!

The Stamps Family will be answering questions about their heritage breed, pasture-raised pork, and taking orders for 2011.


And the Ebersole Cattle Company will be here, taking reservations for their wonderful, humanely-raised grain and grassfed beef.

Last but not least, visit our wonderful fosterkitties from Panora PETS. We have kittens and adults cats, boys and girls, all wonderful and sweet and ready for their new homes! Also Panora PETS is really needing money to pay some vet bills. If you have a few dollars or even some spare change, please consider bringing it and putting it in their donation jar. Donations of food or litter are welcome as well.

Little Sabrina is waiting for her new home!

And of course at Prairieland Herbs...we will have our new August luxury soap PLUS hydrosols on sale, a basket full of free samples, and the most luscious luxurious handmade herbal bodyproducts that money can buy. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Not a sight you see on the farm everyday....a group of 10 old Buicks, from across the country and beyond (one came all the way from Canada!)

Donna found this in the yard; she thinks aliens are leaving us secret messages via sticks in the ground. What do you think? What's the message??

Please, folks, consider writing your congressperson about the many concerns of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. To find out how to contact your congressperson, go here. If you'd like some "talking points", see the last post, or visit this wonderful blog by the Soap Queen.

Here is the letter I sent today.

Congressman Latham,

I am writing to you to express my concern about the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010' (H.R. 5786). I run a small, natural-bodycare business with my mother. We have been in business for 12 years, and are proud to support our rural economy by using local herbs, grains, honey and beeswax to create our safe, natural, handmade herbal bodycare products. We support ourselves from this business; we built it from the ground up, on a shoestring budget, and now have a dedicated and devoted client base from Iowa, and around the world. People regularly send us thank you letters for making such pure, natural, bodycare products that keep them healthy and provide them with natural, affordable, locally-made alternatives to mass-produced bodycare products. But we are concerned that this Safe Cosmetics Act, while sounding good, has many fundamental flaws.

We use time-tested, basic ingredients to craft our simple products. We do not use complex chemicals or anything unsafe. Our ingredients are similar to what you would find in your kitchen: vinegar, raw sugar, oatmeal, herbs, oils. We FULLY AGREE that cosmetics should be produced safely, labeled correctly, and sold with the utmost concern for consumer health. But we believe this bill will NOT help these things, but rather, simply force small businesspeople such as ourselves out of business.

We believe this law is unnecessary. There are already laws in place to ensure that products such as ours are properly produced and labeled. The further labeling requirements stated in this bill would only make labels harder for consumers to read and understand, not easier.

We are also concerned that there is no full exemption for small businesses such as ours. We would be subject to the same (and unnessary, in the case of small businesses), paperwork and testing laws as large corporations such as Estee Lauder or Clinique.

I have worked in this industry for 12 years, and have a very good working knowledge of how small businesses such as mine operate. As a whole, we in this industry are ethical, and PROUD of our outstandingly good products. We are supporting our local economy, and ourselves, by producing extremely high quality natural bodycare products, and want nothing more than to continue to do so. I urge you to read this bill in it's entirety, and please, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I assure you that while this bill sounds good, it really will do nothing to ensure consumer safety, and simply make it hard for small, ethical businesses to compete in today's already-tough marketplace.

Thank you for your time.

Maggie Howe
co-owner, Prairieland Herbs
prairielandherbs.com

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 - sounds good, right? I mean who doesn't want good, safe, natural bodycare products? The problem is - this bill, as written would make it extremely difficult for small bodycare product producers, such as US, to continue to do what we do best - provide small batch natural artisan bodycare products.

If you would like to continue to have the freedom to purchase affordable bodycare products from businesses such as ours, please consider signing the petition AGAINST the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, and encourage others to do so as well!

We have no problem complying with labelling and testing laws, but this bill is badly written and lacking scientific validity.

Here are a couple of great articles about this bill.

http://personalcaretruth.com/2010/07/1602/
http://sagescript.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-safe-cosmetics-bill-will-affect.html
http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/07/comments-concerns-regarding-the-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2010.html

Thinking about some "wild" jellies today! I love wildcrafting. Who doesn't love free, interesting food?

First recipe to share - Queen Anne's Lace jelly. I haven't made this in years, but I recently stumbled across a recipe for it, and now I want to make it again!

I will also be dyeing some silk and maybe wool with Queen Anne's lace, as soon as I get some more alum. (Alum is a mordant - makes the color stay).

And I like this recipe for Spearmint-infused crabapple jelly. Although I do love rosemary, or sage, with crabapples...our crabapple tree at the shop is starting to drop fruit, that's when I know they are ready to pick!

Sample Sunday perks!

Donna enjoying her pretty sparkly toes, courtesty of Michelle at Organic People salon (who offered $10 mini manicures and pedicures at Sample Sunday).

and Maggie's pretty henna tattoo from Dawn Suarez of Morning Rain Massage (black one is a real tattoo - the brown is henna).

We also got hair sparkles, a Becky Bag from AKC Creations, (Maggie), handmade coffee cups from Willow Avenue Pottery (Donna) and some birthday gifts. Sample Sunday ROCKS.

Just some pictures from our Freezer Jams class on Saturday. It was a really fun class, I'd do it again next year! (or in the winter, if there is enough interest...). We made Ginger-grape jelly, Blueberry jam (with option of adding sage or lemon balm), and minted white peach black raspberry jam...using all local fruit and herbs :)

Saturday, July 31 we're going to have a a WONDERFUL class on making Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes. it is not to be missed! Sign up now if you are interested!

Sample Sunday! July 18, 12-5!

Rebecca Brandow, of Willow Avenue Pottery, will have her gorgeous pottery for sale, including her new CORN DISHES!



Lynn Marie Parkey of Gauranga Reiki will offer free 5 minute guided meditation in the anti-gravity chair, $25 necklaces and $2 blended oils. $20 off reiki gift certificates purchased on Sample Sunday.


Melodie Proffitt, of Mind and Body Massage Therapy will be offering $30 reflexology sessions, and has beautiful new art to showcase.

Sally Kilkenny wil have a wide selection of gourmet homemade jams for sampling and sale, including her newest seasonal offering: Peach Jam!

Angie of Recycks will bring her wonderful hand-crafted recycled/upcycled goods, including the "Becky Bag" and the "Maggie Bag" - come see what they are!!


Randi Stone of Lovin' Oven will have fantastic, homemade baked goods for sale.

Tracy Barton-Rouse of Compassionate Creations will have beautiful, yoga-inspired jewelry for sale!



Dawn Suarez of Morning Rain Massage will have chair massages, ear candling and henna tattoos, PLUS offering free organic face/arm airbrush tans.

Laura Hess will be offering SHIMMERLITES, fun, washable, semi-permanent sparkling hair highights!



We have THREE new guest vendors!!

Kay Black & Family will be showcasing their beautiful assortment of custom-made, quilt-inspired handmade purses, bags, blankets/quilts, baby accessories, and dog toys.

Michelle White of Beautiful People Organic Salon will be offering free hair consultations and doing mini manicures for $10. (She uses wonderful Prairieland Herbs products in her full, in-salon pedicures...and is our official "prairieland herbs pedicurist" - do make an appointment with her, you won't be sorry!)


Young entrepreneur Ila Heins, owner of River's Ropes, will have her handmade, upcycled dog toys for sale!



New at Prairieland Herbs - "Juicy Mint" July luxury soap of the month, scads of gorgeous handspun yarns, KITTIES for adoption from Panora P.E.T.S, and lovely dried bunches of herbs - lavender, "kitchen bouquets" of dried culinary herbs, and "tea bouquets" of dried tea herbs.




And of COURSE our wonderful farm neighbors, Picket Fence Creamery and Northern Prairie Chevre, as well as our "Town" neighbor, Flowers By Donna Jean, have fantastic events, specials and samples as well. Bring the family, make a day of it!

More Sample Sunday news! This is what is happening this Sunday, July 18, at Picket Fence Creamery!

Celebrate summer at our 3- Farm Tour &
SAMPLE SUNDAY
July 18 Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission is FREE!


*Free local food samples: Root beer float ice cream, buffalo summer sausage, fresh nut butters, Iowa wines, snack mixes, chocolate milk, Neva's cheese ball, barbecue sauce, salsa, and more! Visit with several guest vendors outside!

*Lunch - GRILLED ELK BURGERS, brats, hot dogs, beverages, and chips!

Super Deals:
Our own 90% lean ground beef...$2.99/lb. with a 10 lb. purchase
Any steak...$8.99/lb.
2 dozen farm fresh eggs... $5
Iowa Wines... 2 for $22
Pella bakery pie and quart of ice cream - only $10

Kids: See the calves, face painting, spin art, temporary tattoos, FREE pencils!
Free half pint of ice cream with $25.00 purchase.
Free coolers while they last!
Silent auction of handmade patriotic quilt

Sample Sunday is coming up, this Sunday, July 18! Here's what is happening at Northern Prairie Chevre:

Second Annual Flea Market!



* Stroll through the front yard and browse at the items for sale at NPC’s second annual flea market. Items include artwork, shabby sheik, antiques, vintage and more.
* After browsing, sit back in your lawn chairs and rock to the oldies of RBJ Trio while enjoying a delicious BBQ Beef sandwich provided by Sheeder Farms!
* Snus Hill Winery will sample several of their award-winning wines.
* Delicious baked goods from Country Lane Bakery
* Sample creamed honey from Randol Honey Farm.
* Many brand new items in the store. Make this your stop for gourmet foods that go well with goat cheese, wine and more.
* Dreesman Buffalo meat in a variety of cuts – very healthy!! Several cuts of Sheeder Farms meats (Great for grilling - T-Bones, Iowa Chops, Ribeye, to name a few) and Skeeter Creek Elk.
* New designs of jewelry by Sun Creek Jewelry just in.
* Spruce up your favorite dog with Iowa made collars, leashes and harnesses – great designs and very well made! All are 50% off!! Also pick up some Iowa made dog treats!
* KIDS: Decorate our giant chalk board, enjoy the swing set and sand box! Don’t forget to come into Miss Tillie’s and get your free freeze pop!
* The kids are getting big – they’re 4 and 5 months old already!!! Tours of the barn! Don’t forget Honeybump!
* Check out our 50% off table.
* Come in to Miss Tillie’s for samples of our cheese and MUCH MORE!

Whoo! I can finally post again! Blogger was being dumb and I finaly had time (read: patience) to sit down and figure out how to fix it. Whoo!

So first I'd like to remind you that this Saturday is our FREEZER JAMS class! If you are interested, please register ASAP as I need to know how many people will be attending!
:)

Child labor laws - who needs 'em?

Iowa Rain Gauge.

So I go to clean out the drying shed yesterday, and find a crowd of interested equines.



A customer arrives, adn I go to tend to them, and come back, and look what happened. The Minis are SOOOOOOO curious!!

I also started harvesting stuff to dry yetserday - some mixed flower and herb bouquets, and LAVENDER! This is our entire lavender crop - which is much bigger than it usually is. It smells divine!

some friends brought us black raspberries, which are HUGE and extra-delicious this year!

We also finally got the still up and running - distilled catnip - and did a ton of mowing and some planting. It's nice to finally have a lovely sunny day at the farm!!