T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — On Sunday afternoon, Kurtis Kettler shows attendees at the Practical Farmers of Iowa field day how he creates essential oils with the lavender he grows on Minerva’s Meadows — a 10-acre organic, no-till farm near State Center.

STATE CENTER – Close to 60 members of Practical Farmers of Iowa spent part of the afternoon on Sunday at Minerva’s Meadows, a no-till, organic 10-acre farm owned by Hannah Scates Kettler and Kurtis Kettler. While there, the crowd learned ways to incorporate native plants into their farms.

During the Elevating Prairie Plants on a No-Till Flower Farm Field Day, attendees gazed upon a two-acre prairie strip covered with mowed native grasses and flowers. Hannah said they are in the process of transitioning those two acres to prairie. It will be a couple years before the native flowers are blooming, as the transition is really slow.

“We wanted to show you guys super-beginning-prairie,” she said, laughing.

The Kettlers spread the prairie flower seeds by hand in the spring for the first time, and keep the area mowed to prevent weeds from taking over. Those steps will be repeated a few times.

“We mow it down to prevent the weeds from developing seed heads,” Hannah said. “As the prairie plants, undoubtedly in there because I’ve seen them, are focusing on their root system. That’s the work they are doing right now.”

Kurtis said they learned the flower seeds like cooler temperatures initially and will more likely seed again in the fall. By also seeding in the fall, it will help reduce the number of birds who were feeding on it.

“Probably December, right before the ground freezes,” Kurtis said.

Hannah said the cold temperatures are necessary in order for the seeds to germinate. She said they cannot be thrown out in the spring and expect anything to grow. Luckily, Hannah added they kept the seeds in the fridge for months before planting. She also added the seeds require well-draining soil.

Some of the seeds the Kettlers have planted include astors, prairie clover, varieties of coneflower, rattlesnake master black-eyed Susan and the popular prairie blazing star.

“Fun fact, and one thing that got us started on prairie flowers,” Hannah said. “Prairie blazing star is the number one flower import from Holland. Knowing that and that people are going goo-goo ga-ga over it in the New York area, let’s not undersell ourselves, Iowa. We can do that here.”

She said they will continue to seed as much as they can, starting with the two acres. Hannah added they are learning and since there are other ways to establish prairie, they might discover easier ways.

“It’s all kind of trial-and-error,” she said. “But the intent is to have this whole space dedicated to prairie.”

A question was asked how often the seeds are raked. Kurtis answered the native seeds should not be raked.

“You want them to sit on top,” he said.

The husband and wife team encouraged the crowd to ask any questions, which they were more than willing to answer. An inquiry of what they plan to do with the two acres of prairie once the flowers have matured was thrown out. Hannah said she likes to share.

“Anticipating there will be mowed areas, there will be pathways,” she said. “Maybe a solar fountain.”

“Don’t encourage this,” Kurtis told the attendee, drawing laughter from the crowd.

After the presentation on the prairie strip, Hannah and Kurtis led everyone to their commercial flowers where lavender is grown, along with what is used to create bouquets – cornflowers, yarrow, dahlias, daisies and more. Kurtis told them about the type of lavender that seems to thrive in this Iowa climate – a type called “phenomenal.”

That part of the field day brought the event almost to an end. Kurtis wanted to demonstrate how he creates essential oils with lavender. He explained the distillery set-up he put together. He was only able to take the crowd through part of the steps, as distilling essential oil is an hour process. However, the outside air was filled with the scent of lavender and attendees inhaled the fresh oil collected in a vial.

Hannah and Kurtis thanked everyone for coming to their farm, provided cookies and homemade lavender honey popsicles and answered any further questions.

——

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.