Horticulture plantings at many of the farms also feature demonstration wildflower plantings, windbreak demonstrations, herbaceous perenni als, shrubs, shade trees, small fruit plots includ ing raspberries, strawberries, and bluebemes. Home garden plots on ISU Extension research farms are open to the public all season long. Home garden field days are scheduled for late summer. Following are the dates, locations, directions to, and phone numbers. Other features include a dwarf conifer collection, herb garden, and numer ous annual and perennial beds.
Facility also has classrooms, gift shop, cafe, library, and outdoor gardens.
The 13-acre arboretum has an education center and numerous trees, shrubs, and perennials. Established in 1910, the two acres of developed gardens in clude a greenhouse and cutting garden. The dome has an extensive permanent collection of over 15,000 plants and ornamental plant exhibits that change six times a year. One of Governor Branstad's goals for Iowa is that every county experience some economic and population growth. It is an admirable goal and certainly one that is challenging.