June 8: See Current State of Research on Organic Dryland Crop Farm Walk

By Seth Truscott

Washington State University hosts a farm walk for growers interested in learning about the current state of organic dryland wheat cropping systems, organic dryland pea production, organic registered herbicides, and using winter crops to help compete against weeds in organic systems.

The research plot farm walk will feature WSU graduate student Aaron Appleby discussing his work using winter pea varieties in combination with different organic registered herbicides to compete with weeds in an organic dryland grain cropping system.

The event is Thursday, June 8 at 9 a.m. at 3636 28^th Street in Lewiston, Idaho, at the crossroads of 28^th Street and Powers Ave.

Appleby is a PhD candidate in WSU’s Department of Crop Science studying organic herbicides and how they can be used in combination with crop rotations and other growing/cultural practices to bring an organic cropping rotation to dryland agriculture in the inland Pacific Northwest. Currently, a dryland organic cropping rotation in the inland Pacific Northwest is considered impossible due to weed management concerns in this highly erodible area and the lack of an organic nitrogen source in close enough proximity to make it economically feasible to ship and fertilize with.

Dress appropriately as there is no shade around the plots and they are exposed to the elements.  The plots are surrounded by tilled earth and can be dusty.

The farm walk is funded with support from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

What: Farm walk of research plots using winter peas and organic herbicides to fight weeds.

When: Thursday, June 8^th at 9 a.m.

Where: Across the street from 3636 28^th St., Lewiston, ID.  On the corner of 28^th Street and Powers Avenue

Parking: On the side of the road

Special accommodations: Dress appropriately for existing conditions (no shade, dusty)