The ISU Department of Horticulture and Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture will partner with the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association to present this educational event designed for fruit and vegetable producers. It will feature research-based information on a variety of topics including biochar, apple root stocks and training systems, organic production and high-tunnel fruit and vegetable production.

Although geared towards commercial production, the field day will be helpful to small-scale growers, master gardeners and homeowners who are interested in enhancing their skills and diversifying their gardens and acreages. The event also will showcase a student-run vegetable enterprise geared towards developing entrepreneurial and business skills.
The morning session will be followed by a post-lunch panel discussion on current and future needs of the fruit and vegetable industry in Iowa by growers, researchers, agriculture professionals and extension personnel.

Program

Time	Presentation
8:30 am	Registration opens, morning refreshments
9:00	Welcome - Dr. Jeff Iles, chair, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
9:15	Field Day begins - visits to various research plots on the station
	Topics to be covered (but not limited to): Biochar in carrot and pepper production Importance of row covers in cucurbit production Sweet potato cultivar trials Organic production practices and methods Role of colored plastics in vegetable production High tunnel production of fruit & vegetables (tomato, cucumber, raspberry) Northern climate grape cultivar trials Apple root stocks and training systems Strawberry disease management
12:15 pm	Lunch (provided) - catered by Hickory Park Restaurant, Ames.
1:30	Discussion on future research topics
2:30	Evaluation, feedback, coffee and refreshments

 

Location

The Field Day will be held at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station, 55519 170th Street, Ames, Iowa. Google map link

Road Consruction update - during summer 2012 Highway 69 is closed between Ames and country road E-18 north of Ames. Please view this printer-friendly map showing alternate routes to reach the Horticulture Research Station during construction.

Registration

The registration fee for the field day is $25 which includes lunch, refreshment breaks, and abstracts of ongoing research projects. Early registration for the field day is $25 through midnight, July 16. Late registration or at the gate will be $35. Please visit the registration page to complete registration online with credit card or print a registration form for alternate payment methods.