Hoedown in the Heartland is an annual conference dedicated to student activism, grassroots organizing, and having a good ole time. Hoedown has become a cornfield oasis where organizers come to share their skills and their visions about how we Midwesterners can challenge the powers that be.

We will have dynamic trainings with speakers from MoveOn.org, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, the Apollo Alliance, and Green Corps. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to learn all about becoming a fantastic activist. Workshop topics will include non-violent civil disobedience, how to work with the media, and radical cheerleading.

Registration is easy. Print and fill out this registration form. The registration fee is $5 if sent before April 14 and $8 if sent afterwards, so register early and save a few bucks! Your registration fee will cover the entire cost of the conference, including workshops, meals, lodging, and a snazzy conference t-shirt.

Mail completed registration forms and fees to:

Hoedown in the Heartland
c/o Allison Amphlett
Grinnell College Box 3032
Grinnell, IA 50112

This is a fantastic opportunity for activists from all over the Midwest to get together for a weekend of workshops and wacky Iowa fun. Pass this on to all of your friends - the more the merrier. We hope you're as excited as we are, and we'll see you in April!
For more information contact ftp@grinnell.edu.

How to get to Grinnell College From I-80 E:
1. Take the IA-146 exit- EXIT 182- toward GRINNELL/NEW SHARON. 0.3 miles
2. If you're coming from the WEST, Turn LEFT onto IA-146 N. If you're coming from the EAST, turn right onto IA-146 N, or West Street. Go 3.5 miles, to downtown Grinnell.
3. Turn RIGHT onto US-6/6TH AVE.
4. Go through 2 stoplights.
5. Turn LEFT onto Park Street, where parking is available.

7-9pm: Check-in. ARH—Room 102.
9pm: Kick off! - Opening speech followed by socializing. Bonfire pit.

9:00am: Delicious breakfast and morning briefing: Overview of the day’s events. Noyce Science Center—Room 1021.

9:30am: Workshops.
Introductory Media—Writing press releases, planning a media event, making sure your issue gets on the news, in the paper, or on the radio. Shana Ortman. Noyce 1023.

Advanced Media—Build relationships with new organization and reporters; practice interviewing techniques. Bill Holland. Noyce 1022.

Internet Organizing—Matt Ewing. Noyce 2021.

11:00am: Issue/Campaign Briefings
Victoria’s Dirty Secret—Shana Ortman. Noyce 1022.

Jumpstart Ford—Jen Krill. Noyce 2021.

Nuclear Waste—Vanessa Pierce. Noyce 1023.

12:30pm: Lunch. Noyce 1021.

2:00pm: Native American singing, dancing and storytelling with STORM SEYMOUR & REDTALE—Come learn about Native American culture, including spirituality and care for the earth. Come early to watch (or help with) putting up the Tee-Pee. Members of the group are from several Midwestern tribes: the Meskwaki, Ho-Chunk, Sioux, Omaha and Yuki Nations. In conjunction with the Chaplain's Office. Central Campus.

3:30pm: Workshops
Civil Disobedience Part I—Learn to effectively communicate and work with others while making a powerful, direct statement to your campaign target. Jen Krill and Liz Butler. Noyce 1023.

Lobbying—How to get your government to listen to you. Learn to lobby your representatives and get legislation passed. Joe Mowers and Vanessa Pierce. Noyce 2021.

Running a Campus Group—Learn how to recruit members, plan and run meetings, get stuff done, and party afterwards. Emma Kelty and Sarah Weiss. Noyce 1022.

5:00pm: Workshops
Civil Disobedience Part II—Jen Krill and Liz Butler. Noyce 1023.
Campaign Planning—Emily. Noyce 2021.
Leadership Development—Shana Ortman. Noyce 1022.

6pm: Dinnertime! Fine dining, socializing, and general good times. Location TBA.

7:30pm: Keynote Address by David Osterberg, Director for Iowa Policy Project and associate professor in the University of Iowa's Department of Occupational and Environmental Health. Forum North Lounge.

9pm: Lubricated Networking. Party for all conference attendees. Location TBA.

10:00am: Breakfast. Bob’s Underground Cafe.
11:00am: Closing

All conference attendees will be sleeping in one of the dorm lounges at Grinnell College. Please remember to bring a pillow, sleeping bag, blankets, etc., as the floors are... well, floors.