The Feilke Prairie is a 30 acre native prairie located near Stuttgart airport. The White River Irrigation District has acquired access to the field in order to harvest native grass seed for use on their projects in eastern Arkansas. We plan to hand harvest the three dominant grass species, Big Bluestem (Andropogan gerardii), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in order to attain a clean seed collection for planting at a propagation facility for native prairie grasses. With your help we will be able to use local genotype prairie grasses on projects instead of commercially available cultivars that are not from the local area. Representatives from the federal and state government natural resource agencies will be participating. Collecting the seed will require walking through tall, dense and possibly wet stands of grass. Seed will be removed from the plant stem by stripping the seed heads with an upward motion of one’s hand along the grass stalk. (To protect your hands it may be wise to bring a pair of leather gloves) Stripped seed would then be placed into seed collection bags. Seed collection bags will be provided. Each seed collector will be assigned one species of grass to collect. For more information please contact Leonard Pitcher via phone at 901-544-0705 or 618-534-8322 (cell) or email leonard.j.pitcher@usace.army.mil . Harvesting will take place October 1-3, 16-18 and 29-31 starting at 9 am each day, weather permitting. Please call Leonard Pitcher’s cell number if you are unsure if harvesting will occur due to inclement weather conditions or if you get lost on your way there. If you plan to participate please don’t forget personal equipment needs such as: Leather gloves Sunscreen/ sun hat Good footwear/ hiking boots Insect repellent Drinks and snacks And don’t forget to dress in layers to adapt to the temperature Directions: The Feilke Prairie is immediately west of the Stuttgart Airport (see below map). The Stuttgart Airport is along HWY 63 between Stuttgart and Hazen, AR. From HWY 63 head to the NE corner of the airport property. Turn west onto Prislousky Road and travel approximately 2 miles and turn left (south) onto Strabala (Dierks) /Hwy 46 road. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn right (west) onto Fairmount Road. Travel ¼ mile and turn left (south) onto an un-named dirt road. Travel 1/10 mile and you will be at the northwest corner of the Feilke Prairie. GPS coordinates for the “Feilke Prairie” on the map are: Lat 34°35’38.54″ N Lon -91°35’43.34″ W. 