Purdue Small Farm Field Day Empowers Growers with Tools and Tips

By Andi Anderson

Purdue University will host the Small Farm Education Field Day on July 24 to support Indiana’s small-scale and urban farmers. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Purdue Student Farm, located at 1491 Cherry Lane in West Lafayette.

Co-hosted by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the Purdue Student Farm, the field day will feature practical demonstrations, research updates, and expert presentations.

Participants will explore key topics like container farming, hydroponics, raised vegetable beds, sweet pepper production, and pest control using pheromone traps. Food safety in produce packinghouses will also be addressed. Equipment demonstrations will showcase efficient tools suited for small-scale operations.

Petrus Langenhoven, director of the Purdue Student Farm, emphasized the event’s value: “We’ve consistently seen participants implement specific techniques learned here to enhance their own farms and urban gardens.”

The field day brings together growers, educators, and experts, creating a space to learn and exchange knowledge. According to Langenhoven, even small tweaks learned at these events can lead to meaningful improvements in farm productivity and sustainability.

Registration for the event is $40 for the general public and $20 for students and Purdue Extension educators. Each attendee will receive a free Kona Ice cup, and a food truck will be available on-site for lunch.

The event also welcomes sponsors and exhibitors. Those interested can find registration and additional information on the event website.

This field day presents an exciting opportunity for anyone involved in small-scale farming to gain hands-on experience and build community connections with fellow growers and experts.

Photo Credit: purdue-university