by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Fourth Annual Hay Creek Hills Farm Tour
Saturday, September 19 – 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hay Creek Hills Farm in Red Wing, MN
Join Wendy Johnson and other prairie lovers on Saturday, September 19, for the Hay Creek Hills 4th Annual Farm Tour + More! You’ll enjoy beautiful restored and remnant prairies, delicious food, and fun music as we celebrate Mother Nature and the community supporting her.
The farm is on 100 acres just south of Red Wing, Minnesota. The farm includes portions enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and an Environmental Quality Incentives Program project that consists of a dry bluff prairie and oak savanna restoration.
Wendy began annual farm tours in 2023, and every year she’s added a little something different for guests. This year, Wendy’s adding seed collecting and vendor/organization tabling.
Two special guests will lead groups into the reconstructed prairie (planted in spring 2024) where you’ll learn about seed collection techniques, species, and prairie ecology: Karin Jokela with the Xerces Society and Alex Bouthilet from the St. Croix Valley Prairie Enthusiasts Chapter.
There will also be a handful of Red Wing makers of art and jams for sale and a tent with information from local conservation organizations.
Wendy’s crew will shoot the day’s events for her documentary film, Healing Ground: A Story of Restoration, but they will honor anyone’s desire not to be on camera.
The planned schedule is as follows. Come for any activity or stay all day:
- 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Seed Collecting
- 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Farm Tour
- 5:00 p.m. – Potluck begins
- 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Old Tyme Music Jamboree (bring your fiddle, guitar, uke, banjo, spoons, drum, cello, flute, or voice, to make a joyful sound!)
It’s a public event, so you’re welcome to share the event information with your friends and family and other conservation organizations as well!
CONTACT:
Please RSVP to Wendy (wendyjohnson2016@gmail.com) so she knows how many people to expect. Wendy will also contact people if the weather causes problems with the event.
LOCATION:
Next to 30817 Hay Creek Hills Dr., Red Wing, MN. Look for event signs when you get close. MAP HERE
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Schurch-Thomson Prairie Hike
Saturday, September 26 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Schurch-Thomson Prairie in Barneveld, WI
Come for a hike into a portion of The Prairie Enthusiasts’ 830-acre Mounds View Grassland preserve to see displays of prairie aster, goldenrods, gentians and other late bloomers. The monarchs should be in full migration.
DIFFICULTY: Be prepared for a long hike (some off trail) and occasionally steep slopes. There will be moderate hiking over uneven terrain.
WHAT TO BRING:
Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and binoculars if you have them.
TRIP LEADER:
Contact Rich Henderson (tpe.rhenderson@tds.net) or (608) 845-7065. If you plan to attend this field trip, please let the trip leader know at least 12 hours in advance, in case of last-minute changes in the schedule or cancelation due to severe weather. Also contact him if you have questions.
LOCATION:
Address is 8624 Reilly Road, Barneveld. From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F approximately 5 miles south. Turn right onto Reilly Road and proceed to parking lot and kiosks at the end of the road (past the barn). (Note: A half mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, for F turns to the right & the straight ahead road becomes County Z. Stay on F.)
by Evanne Hunt | Aug 30, 2026
Help collect prairie seed
We will meet at the Alexander oak savanna parking lot, then car pool to a nearby roadside to collect Savanna Thistle (Cirsium hillii).
Date: September 1 (Tuesday)
Time: 10am – Noon
We have collection buckets!
You may want gloves!
Directions: Take highway 35 south towards River Falls.
Take highway 65 south (35 turns into 65) toward Ellsworth.
Gravel road entrance is on the right just after the Town of River Falls town hall.
Map
by Evanne Hunt | Aug 24, 2026
Help collect prairie seed
We will meet at the Hawkins Cemetery near Hammond, WI, to pick Heart-Leaf Golden Alexander (Zizia aptera.
Date: August 25 (Tuesday)
Time: 10am – Noon
We have collection buckets!
Location: 150th St and 70th Ave, Hammond, Wisconsin, USA
Map
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 21, 2026
Minnesota Driftless Chapter Annual Summer Meeting, Hike and Potluck
Sunday, September 27 – 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Bill Gregg’s property near Cannon Falls, MN
We hope you can join us on Sunday, September 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for our annual Minnesota Driftless Chapter annual summer meeting, hike and potluck! On the guided hike, you’ll see restored bluff prairie and oak savanna and learn about management work done on member Bill Gregg’s property over the last ten years. This event is free to attend!
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
