Join us for an unforgettable Prairie Walk and Harvest Dinner at Rose Farm, where fine dining, warm hospitality, pollinators, prairie, and sustainability come together in an intimate setting of quiet beauty. Through a unique partnership with Iowa State University (ISU), this one-of-a-kind evening pairs an exceptional meal with the opportunity to learn about and connect more deeply to the land that sustains us.

Featuring acclaimed Chef Aaron Holt of Doolittle Farm, guests will enjoy a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, served outdoors in a gorgeous setting that reflects the beauty and richness of Iowa’s working landscapes.

Education is interwoven throughout the Prairie Walk and Harvest Dinner event, deepening the connections between people, pollinators, plants, and the beauty of Iowa’s landscape. Guests will partake in a guided prairie walk, having the opportunity to mix and mingle with ISU experts sharing insights into the ecology and history of Iowa’s prairie and efforts to restore pollinator habitat, as well as pollinator biology and ecology, and the larger connections of water, land, wildlife, and people across Iowa’s working landscapes. Guests will also engage with ISU educators at the Conservation Station, an interactive trailer that highlights conservation practices, environmental stewardship, and the vital connections between land management and water quality in our state.

Seating is limited. Reserve your tickets today for this unique and exclusive evening that reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, education, connections, and the power of place—creating an evening that is enriching and memorable.

Meet the ISU Team:

Dr. Matt O'Neal, Professor of Entomology at Iowa State University, studies insect ecology, particularly the interactions of pests with their host-plant and natural enemies, as well as how conservation methods may improve the abundance and diversity of beneficial insects and pollination. He is excited to visit with Prairie Walk and Harvest Dinner guests about pollinator behavior and ecology on Iowa’s working lands.

Dr. Matt Helmers is the Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, Dean’s Professor in the College of Agriculture and LifeSciences, and a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His research and extension efforts are focused on water quality in the state of Iowa, intertwined with nutrient management, cropping practices, agricultural drainage, and strategic placement of prairie buffer strips in agricultural landscapes.

Tim Youngquist is an agricultural specialist working with the STRIPS program at Iowa State University, where he focuses on advancing adoption of prairie buffer strips that improve water quality, support wildlife habitat, and strengthen agricultural resilience. Through research, outreach, and farmer engagement, he helps connect science to practical, on-the-ground conservation.

Ann Staudt is an environmental engineer who blends scientific expertise with creative outreach and teaching. At Iowa State University, she serves as a Conservation Outreach Specialist with Iowa Learning Farms, focusing on water quality, soil health, and conservation practices, and directs the award-winning Water Rocks! youth education program. She is passionate about translating complex science into accessible, engaging learning experiences for broad audiences.

Alena Whitaker is a Water and Conservation Educator at Iowa State University, where she works with Iowa Learning Farms and Water Rocks!. She delivers statewide outreach on water quality, soil health, and conservation practices, and coordinates the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar Series. As an agricultural engineer, Alena is passionate about connecting farmers, students, and communities with practical, science-based solutions for a more sustainable future.

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