Fruit and Vegetable Growers Invited to Annual Educational Field Day

By Ashvini Malshe

Fruit and vegetable growers are invited to Purdue Extension’s Fruit and Vegetable Field Day. The annual event includes a day of educational sessions and networking and will take place at Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center’s Meigs Horticulture Research Farm on July 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. ET.

“We are looking forward to showcasing new fruit and vegetable research, an exciting lineup of demonstrations, and updating attendees about ongoing work at Purdue,” said Petrus Langenhoven, Purdue clinical assistant professor of horticulture and landscape architecture and vegetable crop specialist. “Take a little time off from farming and attend this fantastic learning event.” 

Session topics will cover:

• Trap crop systems for multigenerational control of flea beetles in high tunnel brassica crops
• Pollinators in high tunnels vs. open-field production
• Impacts of insect-derived soil amendments on crop production
• Impacts of soil fertility amendments and cover cropping on soil health and pepper production
• Comparisons of silage tarping and herbicides for weed control in potatoes
• Use of lasers as a bird control strategy in the vineyard
• Use of herbicide-impregnated fertilizer for improved crop tolerance in pumpkin
• Modern apple orchard systems for commercial and backyard growers

Meigs Horticulture Research Farm is located at 9101 S. 100 E., Lafayette. Registration for the event is $25 and includes a boxed lunch. Purdue students can register for free. Sign up online by July 11 to attend.