Colorado State University Specialty Crops Program Hosts Field Day June 28

Colorado State University’s specialty crops program is hosting a field day from 1-4 p.m. June 28 at the Colorado State Horticulture Field Research Center northeast of Fort Collins at the northeast intersection of I-25 and Mountain Vista Drive, across from the Budweiser plant.

The field day will feature 150 vegetable varieties including sweet corn, pumpkins, beans, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, celery, leeks, radicchio, carrots, beets, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, artichokes, summer squash, winter squash, pac choi, melons and spinach; 90 lettuce varieties as part of a study; 150 cut flower varieties; small fruit trials including hoops, grapes, raspberries and blackberries; green manures; a garlic harvest demonstration; a weed flaming demonstration; plasticulture and drip irrigation; and organic flea beetle and cucumber beetle controls.

The Rocky Mountain Small Organic Farm project, which establishes an organic research and demonstration facility for the region, is being initiated this season. The project addresses special challenges to organic systems through the use of vegetable, flower and small fruit variety trials; studies of new techniques for fertility, pest and disease management; and the development of enterprise budgets catered especially for small farmers.

Register for the Colorado State Specialty Crops field day by contacting Debra Guenther at Debra.Guenther@colostate.edu or by calling (970) 491-7068.

There is no cost to register but attendees are asked to register in advance for planning purposes. On-site registration is available.

For more information on the event, contact Frank Stonaker at Frank.Stonaker@colostate.edu or (970) 491-7068. For more information about the Colorado State Specialty Crops Program, visit the Web at www.specialtycrops.colostate.edu.

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