Ajay Nair
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
This education and outreach event was designed specifically for fruit
and vegetable growers and featured research-based information on a variety of
topics including biochar application in vegetable production, row covers, plasticulture,
cultivar trials, organic production practices, high tunnel fruit &
vegetable production, apple root stocks and training systems, and cover crops. The
event gave growers an opportunity for a real time assessment of new,
innovative, and sustainable research initiatives in the area of fruit and
vegetable production. Although geared towards commercial production the event was
attended by small scale growers, master gardeners, and home owners interested
in enhancing their production skills and diversifying their gardens and
acreages. The event showcased the HORT 465 course which is a student-run
vegetable enterprise geared towards developing student entrepreneurial and
business skills. Graduate students from the Department of Horticulture (Brandon
Carpenter, Leah Riesselman, and Dylan Rolfes) actively participated in the
event by engaging growers in their research projects and answering their
questions.
The event also hosted local growers (Berry Patch
Farms and Rinehart Farms) who set up booths to sell farm fresh produce. Field
day participants also had a chance to visit with representatives from USDA
sponsored Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program and the
Leopold Center for Sustainable Education.
The morning session of the field day was
followed a post-lunch panel discussion where growers, researchers, agriculture
professionals, and extension personnel interacted with researchers from the
Department of Horticulture and Field Extension Specialists to discuss current
and future needs of fruit and vegetable industry in Iowa. Afternoon keynote
speech was delivered by Dr. John Lawrence, Associate Dean, ISU Extenstion and
Outreach. He stressed on developing strong grower-researcher relationship to
address ongoing issues and challenges, and develop new ideas for fruit and
vegetable research in Iowa.
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
The Department of Horticulture in partnership with
Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture organized a Fruit and Vegetable Field Day at the
Horticulture Research Station, Ames IA on 23 July, 2012. The event was
coordinated by Dr. Ajay Nair, Assistant Professor in the Department of
Horticulture. Other researchers who participated include Drs. Jeff Iles (Dept. Chair),
Kathleen Delate, Paul Domoto, Gail Nonnecke, Mark Gleason, and Mr. Malcolm
Robertson.
This education and outreach event was designed specifically for fruit
and vegetable growers and featured research-based information on a variety of
topics including biochar application in vegetable production, row covers, plasticulture,
cultivar trials, organic production practices, high tunnel fruit &
vegetable production, apple root stocks and training systems, and cover crops. The
event gave growers an opportunity for a real time assessment of new,
innovative, and sustainable research initiatives in the area of fruit and
vegetable production. Although geared towards commercial production the event was
attended by small scale growers, master gardeners, and home owners interested
in enhancing their production skills and diversifying their gardens and
acreages. The event showcased the HORT 465 course which is a student-run
vegetable enterprise geared towards developing student entrepreneurial and
business skills. Graduate students from the Department of Horticulture (Brandon
Carpenter, Leah Riesselman, and Dylan Rolfes) actively participated in the
event by engaging growers in their research projects and answering their
questions.
The event also hosted local growers (Berry Patch
Farms and Rinehart Farms) who set up booths to sell farm fresh produce. Field
day participants also had a chance to visit with representatives from USDA
sponsored Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program and the
Leopold Center for Sustainable Education. 
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