John Weeg is our lead-off speaker on January 12. He has a bit of experience with this topic: “Hügelkultur, Water, and Roots: Why Bury Old Wood?” Although John has been gardening for most of his life, he trained only a few years ago to become a Master Gardener. This transplanted Iowan’s focus is on the soil, the foundation of gardening. He has constructed several hügelkultur sites to determine which configurations improve soil performance.

Hügelkultur (German for “mound culture”) is a horticultural technique that begins with a mound of decaying wood debris and compostable biomass plant materials. The structure is planted as a raised bed. Erected with minimal cost, Hügelkultur offers a blend of ecological benefits and practical advantages, making it a valuable tool for gardeners interested in enhancing soil health and sustainability.

John earned his BS degree from the University of Iowa in computer science and completed postgraduate work at Michigan State University. He is a database administrator at ACT, a for-profit organization that offers programs, services, and research focused on education and workplace success.

Karelyn “Kari” Pohl will present “Creating a Pollinator MicroPrairie in Your Landscape” on February 9. Ninety-three percent of Iowa’s land is dedicated to monocrops, making the state one of the most-altered landscapes on earth. Learn how to create a native sanctuary in whatever space you have available, and do your part to give a bit of nature back to the pollinators.

Kari worked as a science teacher in the Cedar Rapids Community School District before joining Integrated DNA Technologies as a development scientist. She holds a BA in biology from the University of Northern Iowa and an MA from Montana State University–Bozeman. A Master Gardener since 2018, Kari has been involved in gardening for many years, starting with small containers and raised beds. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture and supporting pollinators, and is developing her acre of land into a homestead. Kari enjoys sharing her gardening knowledge and regularly attends classes and workshops to expand her expertise.

Just as the weather is warming (we hope) for a new season, Nick McGrath will address “Protecting Biodiversity: Avoid Invasive Species.” A certified arborist, Nick joined Trees Forever as a full-time field coordinator in 2021. He led the Eastern Iowa TreeKeepers 2024 spring course, a six-week program covering tree advocacy, biology, identification, maintenance, pests, and pruning. Previously, he worked as a retail nursery manager and for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, where he collaborated with private landowners, cities, and counties across east central Iowa, in their recovery from the historic derecho and in replanting for the future.

Nick holds a BA from the University of Northern Iowa. He began his career as a public school educator. His passion for education and arboriculture is strengthened through his work, teaching Iowans about the importance of trees with innovative instruction and research-based science. Outside of work, Nick is a cross-country track and soccer coach, husband, father, and caregiver to many redbud cultivars.