SDSU Hosts a Field Day Focused on Specialty Production
On Sept. 10, 2024 South Dakota State University invited the public to tour their two new high tunnels as well as their speciality crop trials.
On Sept. 10, 2024 South Dakota State University invited the public to tour their two new high tunnels as well as their speciality crop trials. The afternoon event was kicked off by a welcome from SDSU and Ryan Forbes, NRCS demonstrating the Rainfall Simulator.
The entire group walked down the demonstration plots to tour the two high tunnels constructed in May of 2024. Chairs in the shade of the high tunnels were provided for a Q&A with SDSU facility and local producers that utilize high tunnels on construction and maintenance of high tunnels. Participants learned about the phases of high tunnel construction, why slope and orientation were important considerations, and how the mechanics of a tunnel work.
After the Q & A, visiting the exhibitor booths, and refreshments, participants were given a tour of the various specialty crop research projects as well as a presentation by the graduate students on their project.
SDSPA’s Urban Ag Liaison, Malisa Niles, attended the tour of the various specialty crop research projects and graduate student presentations.
The research projects are ‘Early-season Soil Tarping to Improve Soil Health and Reduce Weeds for Onion Production’ by Hannah Voye, Rhoda Burrows and Kristine Lang; ‘Warm season Living Mulches in Grafted Melon and Tomato Systems’ by Sean Toporek and Kristine Lang; ‘Economic Justification of Conventional or Organic Chemical Control Programs for Controlling Alternaria Leaf Blight in Field Grown Cucumbers’ by Janani Perera and Sean Toporek; ‘Evaluating Capsicum Species for Differential Rates Of Alternaria Internal Rot Infection’ by Sean Toporek, Assistant Professor – Specialty Crops Pathology, Director of SDSU Local Foods Education Center; and ‘Broccolini: A heat-tolerant Brassica for SD Farms’ by Connor Ruen, Kristine Lang, and Thandiwe Nleya. Graduate student Connor Ruen also spoke about his research with living mulches here at the research farm and a 2 area speciality farms. All excellent projects increasing the field of specialty production.
SDSU and its graduate students are conducting various specialty crop research projects. Data is shared during their Sept. field days at the research plots.
South Dakota State University is making strides in assisting specialty producers grow and manage a quality agriculture product. Field days are held annually in September and the public is encouraged to attend. Contact SDSPA’s Urban Ag Advisor, Malisa Niles at sdspa.urbanag@gmail.com or call 605-933-1282 to learn more.