Iowa
Working Iowa: Apprentices get farm experience with Grow Johnson County
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Apprentices are getting hands-on experience with sustainable farming through Grow Johnson County.
The work isn’t easy but the mission is worth it.
”All the food we grow goes to local food pantries and organizations that get the food to people who need it,” said Jonah Eisen, an apprentice.
Grow Johnson County works to make sure people have access to healthy food. Each summer apprentices work part-time while gaining a full experience on the farm.
”Most of the farmers that are entering agriculture today are coming from non-farm backgrounds so we wanted to provide a training opportunity for new entry new people,” Jason Grimm explained, Executive Director at Iowa Valley RC&D.
The program is already underway this summer but applications for next summer will open up in February. In the meantime, people who are interested are invited to volunteer this summer to see what it’s all about.
Apprentices come from a variety of backgrounds, some are current students and others have graduated and are continuing to build their experience.
“With a sustainability sciences major I think that it’s going to help me with hands-on experience. I’ve only been in the classroom before so I’m really excited to just learn through actions,” Liz Gaar explained, an apprentice.
It’s a chance to be part of something that helps feed the community.
“17 agencies will receive about 40,000 pounds worth of product we’ll grow this year,” said Grimm.
It’s an opportunity to give back by providing healthy foods.
“I think I just like the idea of more healthy food culture. I don’t know there’s a big dominance in ultra-processed highly capitalistic marketed trash that people like to eat and this is the opposite of that,” Eisen explained.
By taking part, apprentices are able to grow in more ways than one.
“It’s really fun. It’s hard work and I know it’s going to get hotter outside, but I’m learning a lot,” said Gaar.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
See the 2025 Des Moines Register Essential Restaurants
What are the best restaurants in Des Moines? These entries from the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list won’t let you down.
You know that viral mac and cheese place? The one that slathers every bowl with ungodly amounts of cheese? The one that makes you feel lactose intolerant just looking at it?
Yeah. Roni’s Mac Bar is opening its second Iowa location, this time in Waukee.
The store will celebrate with a grand opening on Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. sharp
In a video on social media, the company credits the new location choice to the Waukee man who drove to a location in Waco, Texas, asked for a bowl so cheesy that the chef making it felt lactose-intolerant just looking at it.
Frank Senese, chief executive officer of Roni’s Mac and Cheese, said the business as the “Chipotle of mac and cheese.”
“It’s comfort food; whether you’re a hungover college kid, tattooed biker or a little princess in a tutu, you’re going to find something here that you’ll love,” Senese told the Ames Tribune before the company’s restaurant opened there in 2025. “It’s a fun way to think outside the box.”
The first 100 people to get in line can spin the wheel for a chance to win giveaways and a year’s worth of mac and cheese.
Roni’s Mac bar boasts massive menu
The quote, “Think outside the box” is painted on the wall inside the mac and cheese bar, and the menu certainly inspires customers to do just that.
Roni’s Mac Bar has created a menu of more than 77 million possible combinations that continues to grow, Senese said.
Every bowl can be unique, with drizzles like pesto and ranch, and toppings such as tomatoes and even pineapple − a topping that can be a key indicator of a repeat customer, Senese said.
Where to find Roni’s Mac Bar in Waukee
- Location: 1195 SE Alice’s Road, Waukee
- Contact: 515-450-2497, ronismacbar.com
- Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily starting May 16
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Four people were arrested during two separate traffic stops by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
The sheriff’s office explained that just before 8:30 p.m., an Iowa County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a vehicle in the 7000 block of US Highway 18-151 in the Town of Ridgeway.
Lee J. Kaul, 47, of Ridgeway was arrested for operating while revoked (REV due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotic drug.
Kaul was additionally held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold and transported to the Iowa County Jail.
About an hour later, another Iowa County deputy stopped a vehicle near US Highway 18 and Lisa Street in the City of Dodgeville, the sheriff’s said.
The sheriff’s office explained three people were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture/compound/convert/produce/store methamphetamine.
Ronald E. Slater, 56, of Platteville, Rayven E. Stanisch, 30, of Linden and Amy M. Gregory, 38, of Linden were all taken to the Iowa County Jail.
Gregory was also held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
The Iowa City Community Band (ICCB) returns this summer with performances throughout Iowa City and Coralville in June and July. Now in its 43rd season, ICCB is proud to once again be led by Rob Medd, a retired band director from Iowa City West High School, for the 19th year.
We perform nine times, including Coralville’s 4thFest Parade and pre-fireworks show. Our first three concerts are:
- 12 noon, Saturday, June 6 at the Iowa Arts Festival in downtown Iowa City
- 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 10 at McPherson Park
- 7 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at Fairmeadows Park
Each concert features a combination of traditional marches, contemporary pieces, and some familiar classics. For a full concert schedule, visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ICCBand).
Rehearsals are held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (May 30 through July 18, excluding June 6 and July 4) at West High School. New members — high school age and older — are welcome throughout the summer, with no audition required. Because new music is introduced each week, participation is flexible and ideal for those who can only join for part of the season. If you are interested in participating or learning more, send an email to iccb.communityband@gmail.com.
ICCB operates solely on donations from individuals and local businesses to provide free concerts to the public.
If you would like to contribute, send your donation to: Iowa City Community Band – c/o West Music, 1212 5th Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Make checks payable to “Iowa City Community Band”.
The Iowa City Community Band is ready for a great summer of making music together. We hope that you’ll join us often, either as a musician or an audience member. See you at the park.
April Donlon serves as the publicist and plays Alto Saxophone for the Iowa City Community Band.
-
Connecticut3 minutes agoThey Rescued a Teardown and Raised the Roof
-
Delaware8 minutes agoNew Castle County housing prices slip from January
-
Florida14 minutes agoFlorida Planet Fitness opening new gym, splitting space with new Aldi
-
Georgia21 minutes agoRanking the 12 best colleges in Georgia
-
Hawaii26 minutes agoHawaii sticks with its mail-in voting system despite Trump’s order – The Garden Island
-
Idaho33 minutes agoIdaho primaries come next week
-
Illinois39 minutes agoIllinois State Police release video of deadly shooting involving ISP troopers on South Side
-
Indiana45 minutes agoIndiana Peony Festival rescheduled due to storms