Birds & Bees Urban Farm

06/03/2026

Unexpected fun catching a swarm at a construction site. It was a tough angle to work in, but we’re confident we have the queen. We thanked the crew for not spraying the bees!

06/01/2026

We are establishing a new flock. This little chick gets excited when it hears what it thinks is another chick already out of its egg.

05/29/2026

Save the date for our ANNUAL HARVEST PARTY — Sat, Sept 26, 2-5 p.m. (rain date Sun, Sept 27).
*** And this is fun, our event will coincide with the Historic Sherman Hill’s tour of homes.
*** Stay tuned for more info!

05/09/2026

Kathy here. We’re so lucky, in Des Moines, to have so many great spots to sit, sip, and work a bit. Working on White Handkerchiefs and Red Apples again this morning. My sister Sue and I have refocused on one central story, instead of weaving three perspectives into one historical-fiction. This means our chances of having a complete draft version by the end of the year is good!

05/06/2026

We’re in such a great season! Fresh salad with radishes, as well as last year’s beats, roasted and seasoned. Pizza with last year’s peppers, onions, and roasted tomatoes, along with our own hot pepper and oregano. And, hey, cake with fresh-picked rhubarb! **** Remember, we teach classes on turning your yard into dinner, and we can work with you to schedule farm tours and presentations for your group!

04/16/2026

We were pleased to be featured, along with two other Iowa local-food orgs, by the Iowa Food & Family Project.

Why urban farming has its advantages.

04/09/2026

We’d love to see lots of friends sign up to join!

***** Volunteer Opportunity: Drake Park Orchard Pruning Event
Wednesday, April 15, 9-noon
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A8AC28A1FAC61-63314690-drake
***** Please idicate whether you’ll be able to bring any of your own pruning tools and/or ladders.

***** Required waivers will be available to sign on site.

If you are a member of the community with knoweledge on fruit tree pruning, with Trees Forever, a Master Gardener volunteer, or Master Conservationist, Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! The orchard is located off Cottage Grove at Drake Park, just....

03/04/2026

Hi, Kathy here, sharing progress on the historical-fiction I’m working on. One focus is late-1800s and early-1900s Midwest farm life. My grandfather, Louis Raymond, began hiring himself out as a farm hand from around the age of 15. At 22, he was working for a family in the Nebraska Sandhills, when he wrote to his little “brother,” to whom he’d become more of a father.
*** This is the view of Des Moines’s East Village, from the table I’m working at, at Plain Talk Books & Coffee, who source foods from local farms and stores.

02/21/2026

Great go-to chart from Sustainable Iowa Land Trust - SILT! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DwC4FtbaQ/

02/13/2026

It’s a sweet Friday the 13th! First maple boil of the season. Kathy built the rocket stove from scrap material. Much of the wood is lumber we’ve harvested here. Sap from 12 trees our Sherman Hill neighbors kindly let us tap.