Indiana Ag Connection - Student Farm Field Day on Small Farm Crop Production

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Student Farm Field Day on Small Farm Crop Production
Indiana Ag Connection - 06/14/2019

The second annual Purdue Small Farm Educational Field Day, set for Aug. 1, will emphasize sustainability in small-scale fruit and vegetable production, in terms of plant health and business management.

Purdue's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is hosting the event, which targets farmers of small-scale vegetable operations. This year's field day will run 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and offers 10 educational sessions presented by Purdue agriculture faculty.

"This year our Field Day is again packed with fantastic educational sessions during the morning, followed by hands-on experiences through an array of demonstrations at the Purdue Student Farm," said Petrus Langenhoven, a Purdue horticulture and hydroponic crop specialist who co-organized the event.

The Purdue University Student Farm, featured in the afternoon field day sessions, is a student-run operation that grows vegetables, herbs and flowers. The Student Farm serves as a tool for the education and promotion of responsible growing practices, product marketing and vegetable production.

Session titles and topics are:

- Some Basic Planning Tools for Increasing the Sustainability of Your Farm.

- Testing and Restoring Soils in Urban and Peri-Urban Systems.

- Scheduling Crops in High Tunnels.

- Cover Crop Choices.

- Is your new equipment worth it? A dynamic tool to calculate your profits and return on investment.

- Food Safety Plans and Certification Process for Gardeners.

- Rototiller versus Power Harrow and Seeder Demonstration.

- High Tunnel Tomato and Bell Pepper Production.

- Practical Applications of Leaf Mold Composting.

- Vegetable Wash Station Design.

- Solar Dryers for Postharvest Processing of Fruits and Vegetables.

The educational sessions will take place at the William H. Daniel Turfgrass and Diagnostic Center, 1340 Cherry Lane, West Lafayette. Lunch and afternoon demonstrations will be at the Purdue Student Farm, 1491 Cherry Lane, West Lafayette.

Those interested in attending may register at purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3qQfl05iryF3COp. The registration fee is $20, with $10 for each additional attendee.

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