July 31, 2017
Horticulture Focus of Fruit and Vegetable Field Day Aug. 7
By Diana Cochran Extension Fruit Specialist
Ajay Nair Vegetable Production Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
Iowa State University’s annual Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on Aug. 7 will feature research and demonstration projects on fruit and vegetable production for commercial growers, extension personnel, non-profit organizations and master gardeners.
The field day will run from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, 55519 170th St., near Ames. Registration is free, but required for a meal count at: www.extension.iastate.edu/vegetablelab/2017-fruit-and-vegetable-field-day.
The event will provide an opportunity to interact with researchers and evaluate research projects focusing on high tunnel pepper and peach production, tomato grafting, the integration of poultry and vegetable production, pest management in gourd crops, viticulture, growing hops and honey bee health and behavior studies.
Equipment and tools used in small-scale fruit and vegetable production systems also will be displayed. The field day will demonstrate the use of a potato digger and a vegetable wash station. Funding for the event is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Specialty Crop Block grants.
The field day is organized in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
Diana Cochran is an Iowa State Univeristy Extension Fruit Specialist. She can be reached at (515) 294-0035 or dianac@iastate.edu. Ajay Nair is an Iowa State Univeristy Extension Commercial Horticulture Specialist. He can be reached at (515) 294-7080 or nairajay@iastate.edu.
