Area students receives Citizen Scientist Certificates
One hundred and ninety-five students received their Citizen Scientist Certificates on April 22 from Sawmill Hollow Organic Farm by completing five learning stations.
Students completed soil science experiments lead by Larry Arnold, Nature Interpreter guide, Arbor Day Foundation, soil science NRCS. What lies beneath our feet! Beth Wakehouse, bull frog expert and an educator for the bull frog swamp spa, California Jumping Frog Jubilee, shared her “frog skills”, educating attendees on the varieties of frogs, and how frogs are environmental indicators and what that means for all of us.
RAGBRAI finisher, Sofia Luna De Anda, lead students on prairie remnant hikes highlighting native plants, pollinators, trees while examining wild life habitats.
Team USDA Luke Zaiger, District Conservationist, Dan Polito Area Resource Soil Scientist, Ruth Blomquist NRCS Soil Scientist, Health Specialist, Southwest Iowa Soil Health expert lead the students through experiments, giving examples and discussing the different ways we can improve water quality; Students responded via lively Q & A sessions.
Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery Experts held the groups’ attention during sack lunch time. Harrison County Soil & Water Conservation District contributed water for the event and Vaughn Pittz provided Aronia Berry Lemonade for all.
Randy Fox of Midwest Winds Kitefliers taught students how to make kites from recycled materials.
Students packets included seed packets, summer outdoor activity ideas and a live Norway Spruce starter tree from Arbor Day Farm!
Teacher packets included flower seeds, conservation and soil health practices and the Earth Day Celebration 2026 student Citizen Scientist certificates.
Sawmill Hollow Organic farm would like to thank the 2026 presenters and volunteers for a successful Earth Day Celebration for 195 student participants: Jo Lyman, Beth Wakehouse, Kelly Lynn Wakehouse, Terry Moore, Luke Zaiger, Ruth Blomquist, Larry Arnold, Ed Spencer, David Weigelt, Katie Cooper, Elizabeth Meeker, Deb Mether, Dan Polito, Randy Fox, Michael Taffe, Kathy Fisher, Shirley Pittz, Vaughn Pittz, Andy Pittz, Locky Catron, Connie Betts, Sofia Luna De Anda, Harrison County Soil, Water Conservation District, USDA, NRCS, FPAC, SWISH.
