Technology of Tallgrass Prairie: seeding, experimenting, harvesting

Aug 10, 2022

Following dinner and a brief business meeting, at approximately 7:30 pm we will reconvene at the Tallgrass Prairie Center, 2412 West 27th Street, Cedar Falls. We will tour the grass areas and then view the technology used to process seeds.

The Tall Grass Prairie Center tour will include a viewing of flowering grasses at the 27th Street facility.

In order to propagate more flowering grasses, seeds are needed. At the Center, Dr. Jackson will show how seeds are harvested and processed for later planting.

Harvesting equipment particular to prairie grasses will be on display. Once harvested, the seed are processed through several steps.

Screening processes allow the seed to be sized. Since different varieties have different seed sizes, this  step allows seeds of various grass varieties to be gathered. The technology of seed processing involves  physics and mechanics as well as biology disciplines to be successful.

The final product is removed from screens of various opening sizes for future planting.

Cedar Falls Family Restaurant

2627 Center Street

Cedar Falls, Iowa

CASH Payment for the meals! 

This price includes the room rental and gratuity for the servers.

Dr. Laura Jackson

Our speaker will be Dr. Laura Jackson, Director and Professor of Biology. Professor Laura Jackson grew up surrounded by prairie, wheat and pasture in the Smoky Hills region of north-central Kansas. She received a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Grinnell College, and a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology from Cornell University.  Laura has been a UNI Biology faculty member since 1993, teaching courses in conservation biology, restoration ecology and environmental studies. Her research has focused on the restoration of biological diversity in agriculture landscapes, and the dynamics of seeds and seedling establishment in tallgrass prairie restoration. Laura has served on several advisory boards including the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (2001-2012), the Iowa State Preserves Board, and Monarch Joint Venture.  She is co-editor, with Dana Jackson, of The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems. (2002, Island Press).

Dinner includes rolls, coffee, coffee or soda.

• Salad Bar with French or Ranch Dressing,
• Ham
• Potatoes
• Vegetables
• Ice cream

2412 West 27th Street 

Cedar Falls, Iowa