SDSU Extension invites gardeners to Specialty Crop Field Day

South Dakota State University Extension is inviting the public, especially gardeners, to its fourth annual Specialty Crop Field Day. 

This free event will feature a series of presentations and field tours related to small- to mid-scale commercial vegetable production research trials. Field tours will feature SDSU Extension research plots of cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, onions, peppers and broccolini.

The Specialty Crop Field Day is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 10, at the SDSU Campus Specialty Crop Research Field-South in Brookings. Registration is requested. To register and see a complete event schedule, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events.

Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, said specialty crop producers are especially encouraged to attend, along with non-profit organizations, technical service providers, Master Gardeners and home gardeners.

SDSU Extension experts will discuss a variety of soil health and disease management strategies, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will give a demonstration on soil health with its rainfall simulator. Two newly constructed high tunnels will also be featured. 

Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes that can get dirty during the walking tours.