Workshops and Tours
are among the favorite activities of our overnight guests. Many of these programs
are ideal for bus tours, corporate
retreats and family reunions. We
offer programs about the Khrushchev visit,
commercial agriculture and alternative agricultural farm tours, programs
on prairies and raptors and botany, guided wildlife tours and guided astronomy tours. A neighbor offers
Victorian Garden Walks.
Prices for bus groups: See Group Tour Options.
Tour Resort Facilities. Many
guests visit the various venues at the Resort on their own, with staff
guidance. Subject to occupancy, guests may visit the B&B rooms, which are
full of antiques
and historical photographs. The basement gift shop offers unusual products from local artisans and Guatemalan artisans.
Visit the adorable Hollyhock Cottage (on the Garst Farm Lodge), which reflects its own history as a chicken coop, a
hired hand's house, and a garden shed. Oakridge
Country House features stuffed wild animals and
charming decor. The River House Barn and the River House Basement are among our more unique venues, and well
worth a look. The staff is happy to meet with anyone planning
a family reunion, corporate retreat, wedding, or whatever ..... just call for an appointment.
Khrushchev Talk
Most overnight
visitors, and groups by appointment, may participate in a 45
minute ag history and Khrushchev talk.. Liz Garst (the little girl in the picture) tells
funny and true stories about the development of her grandfather Roswell Garst's
career (and the corollary development of modern Midwestern agriculture), and the whys and
hows of Khruschev's 1959 visit to the farm. The history talk is complimented
by the many superb photographs by Joe Munroe,
a renowned agricultural photographer whose photo archive is now at the Ohio Historical Society.
Prices: Free to Overnight Guests
$40
for 1 1/2 Hours, for Day
Visitors
Commercial Iowa Farming: The Farm Tour.
George Johnston or one of his boys, all real farmers will
give you a real look at modern commercial farming, and do their best to
answer your questions. See modern crop techniques, soil
conservation efforts, the cow-calf operation, and the buffalo
herd. Visit corn and soybean fields, terraces and waterways, and
learn the differences between different tillage techniques. The format is open discussion,
and your guides will he happy to discuss government farm programs, soil types,
agricultural marketing techniques, livestock breeding and seasonal topics. For
larger groups, a tour of the Garst Seed Company Quality
Control Laboratory can be arranged. During the harvest season (late
August to early October) the Garst Seed Plant
also makes a colorful and informative visit.
Prices: $50/Hr. for small groups. 1-2
Hour Recommended
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Alternative Ag Workshop.
This workshop is offered by Charles
Carpenter and David Tousain, who run the Beaver Creek Farm, a small farm several miles
west of the Whiterock Resort. The products from this
farm are featured in our gift shop. Charles and David
are trying to develop environmentally sound and economically sensible alternatives to
today’s mainstream trends in agriculture and living. Specific areas covered
include energy efficient solar home construction,
alternative horticulture, apple and cherry
production, antique apple varieties and bee keeping.
The workshop also includes a period of time for discussing the larger
economic, political, social and cultural issues which are a consideration
in this type of endeavor. It is hoped that participants will come away from the
workshop with new ideas, inspiration and their own conclusions regarding Thomas
Jefferson’s statement: "The small
landholders are the most precious part of the state."
Prices: $50/hr for small groups 1- 2 Hours Recommended
Stroll the Prairie
Workshop. This workshop is offered by Kay Neumann, a local environmental educator. In the
workshop you will learn what Iowa was like when the pioneers first arrived in the state. Visit a native prairie remnant with an amazing
diversity of plant species (200 plus) and then travel to an area that is being
reconstructed. Prairie reconstruction
techniques are discussed and it is hoped that participants will come away with an
understanding of the advantages of preserving prairie systems. This program involves
some walking, and is not available in the winter.
Prices: $50/hr for small group 1
-2 Hours Recommended
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Raptor Workshop ... Fly with the Hawks. Learn
about the native Iowa raptors (birds of prey)
through live demonstrations of hunting hawks
and special education birds. This program is presented by our
neighbor, Kay Neumann, who founded S.O.A.R -- Save
Our Avarian Resources. SOAR sells t-shirts and postcards in our gift shop as a
fundraising tool. Raptors are top-of-the-food-chain hunters and are indicators
of environmental health. Environmental
adaptations and environmental hazards are discussed. Typically two birds, for example, peregrine falcons, short-eared owls,
red-tailed hawks, are used in this entertaining and educational program, ideal for
all ages. Learn more about S.O.A.R.
Prices: $75/hour for any size group 1 hour
recommended
During the fall and
winter hunting seasons, falconry demonstrations
are offered, weather and audience permitting. Falconry is an ancient and intricate
sport , which usually involves good exercise, lessons in reading animal sign and first
hand observation of animal behavior. Typically, a Harris hawk hunts rabbits and a
peregrine falcon hunts pheasants. Please be warned that these
sessions can be quite unpredictable because of weather.
Price $100 for 1 1/2 hours
From
Wildflowers to Weeds: The Flora Under Our Feet. This
workshop is led by David Tousain and it explores
the flora of west central Iowa. It includes a visit to a virgin
prairie preserve and will cover weeds in
roadside ditches and fields as well. Botanical nomenclature is
reviewed. This workshop is a good way to introduce yourself to Iowa and make connections with the beautiful land of Iowa.
The tour lasts two hours.
Price: $50/hour 1 to 2 hours
recommended
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Guided Wildlife Tour.
Master woodsmen Dean Jackson or Darwin Pierce will take you quietly into the heart of
the valley for close up looks of deer, turkey and other
wildlife. You will learn about the natural history of Whiterock and its
animals. Although you will not use guns, many of the area’s hunting techniques are
demonstrated and there will be good opportunities for
photographers. When geese are migrating they can also show you the
beautiful Terrell Farm wetland, where hundreds of thousands
of geese, and other birds stop each spring and fall. Early morning
tours are often best. Expect to walk a ways and plan on keeping quiet. Be sure to bring
appropriate clothing and shoes.
Price: $40/hour 1 1/2 to 3 hours
recommended
Dark Sky Astronomy Tour.
One weekend each month Drew Sorenson
offers astronomy workshops. The 1 1/2 hour program starts when it is
completely dark (which can be late in summer months). In the winter, astronomy is at
its best because of the low humidity ... bring warm clothes!. The Astronomy House
lies in the southeast part of the Whiterock Valley and was chosen because of its absence
of light pollution. Even without telescopes, the Milky Way and the constellations are
brilliant. The skies are as dark here as
anywhere in Iowa and there are no nearby lights or towns to diminish the view. In
the astronomy tour, you will use a very high quality 10 inch telescope to see the planets, galaxies, nebula and whatever is notable in the
sky at the time. You are welcome to stay after the lesson to enjoy
the night sky.
Prices: now free!
The astronomer generally comes when the moon is dark, and the Resort gets his schedule
about 6 weeks in advance. Check the Moon Phase Chart to get
an idea of probable dates on the schedule. Astronomy
Dates provides the upcoming schedule.
The Whiterock Resort Clear Skies
Clock provides a local astronomy forecast.
An easy-to-use 8 inch telescope can be rented from the Resort for your
personal use. Sky charts are available.
Victorian
Garden Walks are
provided by our neighbor Gloria Brouse, on her
nearby Windy Ridge Farm. Old-fashioned flowers and beautiful new hybrids, dainty
treats and drinks, all made by Gloria, are featured on the walk.
Please contact Gloria directly for prices and reservations at
712-684-5
184.
Stamping Classes! Visit Jane Siegler's shop in town and take a
class in stamping. Please contact Jane directly for prices
and reservations at 712-999-6673.
Back to Top Self-guided Tour Khrushchev Talk Commercial Ag
Alternative Ag Prairie Raptor
Botany
Wildlife Astronomy Astronomy Dates
Prices:Workshops & Tours
Prices: Group Tour Options Price Policies
Family Reuions Corporate Retreats Youth and School Groups
International Visitors
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