South Dakota State University Extension and the SDSU Southeast Research Farm invite anyone interested in growing organic vegetables and field crops to an educational, hands-on field day.
The SDSU Extension Organic Field Day is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm by Beresford. Farmers from all scales and types of production are welcome, along with anyone who is curious about growing United States Department of Agriculture-certified organic produce.
A picnic lunch will be provided during this free event. Registration is requested. To register and see a complete schedule of events, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events and search “organic.”
Families are welcome. The event will be held rain or shine. Attendees are asked to leave pets at home, and to wear shoes suitable for walking in fields. Signs will direct visitors to parking upon arrival at the event.
“I always look forward to visiting field plots as a group so people can see our trials in real time,” said Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist. “As we know, no two years are the same, and this year’s rainfall was beneficial for cover crop establishment for our reduced tillage research, so we’re eager to show off some beautiful clovers. There might even be a chance to sample some fresh produce!”
The morning session will focus on organic vegetable production, disease management, soil health and food safety. Tours of cabbage, sweet corn and potato fields will be highlighted by SDSU Extension specialists, graduate students and SDSU Southeast Research Farm staff. In the afternoon, three South Dakota producers will share their experiences in organic field crop production and the USDA organic certification process.
“People will get a real-world snapshot of how to address soil health, pest control and disease management in organic vegetable production systems based on in-field demonstrations,” Lang said.
After lunch, the field day will conclude with a question-and-answer session and free SDSU ice cream social. The event is supported by a grant from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership program, administered by the Organic Crop Improvement Association.
For more information, contact Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, at 605-688-5796 or [email protected].
To stay up to date on research conducted by the SDSU Horticulture team, please visit https://extension.sdstate.edu/
