Registration is now open for upcoming Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day

Story by Nyssa Lilovich

June 12, 2024

Register for the Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day, an event featuring an array of demonstration stations featuring best management practices and highlights of research methods on the farm. On Thursday, July 25, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about topics like companion plants and Syrphid fly recruitment, high tunnel sweet pepper and table grape production, raised bed gardening, strawberry production and propagation, postharvest wash/pack design, Peruvian bean and corn production, and onion and potato weed management updates. The event is presented by the Purdue Student Farm and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

According to surveys from previous years, over three-quarters (80%) of participants reported that they had experienced financial improvements because of adopting new, recommended practices from the information presented at past field days.

“This field day brings together small farm and urban growers from all over Indiana. Its unique setup allows ample time for knowledge sharing and networking,” says Petrus Langenhoven, Purdue Student Farm director. “In past years, growers have been able to directly apply the knowledge gained at their own farms or urban gardens. The smallest details, things that we as educators take for granted, have a big impact on small farm or urban garden operations.”

Topics to be covered include:

- Insect dynamics in high tunnels

- Companion plants and Syrphid fly recruitment 

- High tunnel table grapes

- Advantages and considerations of raised bed gardening

- High tunnel sweet pepper production strategies and variety selection

- Tarps, fire, and cultivation- weed management updates and demonstrations

- Strawberry production at small-scale vegetable farms

- Growing open-pollinated corn on small farms

- Post-harvest wash/pack design for small farms

- Bringing the cuisine of the Andes to greater Lafayette

- Digital tools for small farms

- Freight farm container farming

The Purdue Student Farm is located at 1491 Cherry Lane, West Lafayette, Indiana. Register to attend HERE.

The Black Dog Barbeque Company will be on-site for attendees to purchase lunch and snacks. The Kona Ice truck will be on site with one FREE cup for each attendee compliments of Purdue Extension and Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

Featured Stories

Sam and Kelly Williams are pictured on their farm in West Virginia’s South Branch Valley.

Community Champions

Sam and Kelly Williams, alumni of Purdue’s agricultural economics program, are hometown...

Dr. Abhinav Tyagi talks to forest managers and scientists in a forest in India.

Tyagi to Study Otters, Fish Genomics as Smith Fellow

Dr. Abhinav Tyagi, who is the first Smith Fellowship honoree from India, will be studying river...

Dr. Abhinav Tyagi speaks to scientists and forest service personnel in India.

Dr. Abhinav Tyagi Set to Study River Otters, Fish as Smith Fellow in FNR

Dr. Abhinav Tyagi's past work has focused on applying genomics to wildlife conservation and...

Drs. Mike Saunders and Zhao Ma pose with the Family Forests Comprehensive Education Program Award presented by National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) and National Association of University Forest Resources Programs (NAUFRP).

FNR Extension Team Receives Family Forests Comprehensive Education Award

The Purdue FNR extension team was named as a recipient of the Family Forests Comprehensive...

yuliia khoma poses with ferns in the greenhouse

Second plant, second chance, second home: Ukrainian Scholar Yuliia Khoma

Khoma relocated to the U.S. with her son and husband through a scholar support program offered by...

From farm roots to future agronomist: Finding a home at Purdue Agriculture

Growing up on a farm in Greensburg, Indiana, Purdue sophomore Justin Bedel developed a love for...