June 1, 2006
The Iowa State University Northern and McNay research and demonstration farms will celebrate the anniversaries of their origins during this year's field days, which begin June 19.
The Northern research farm in Kanawha will celebrate its 75th anniversary at a field day on Sept. 8 and the McNay research farm near Chariton will observe its 50th anniversary on Sept. 14. Both events will look back at the farms' history and that of the North Central Iowa Research Association, which founded the Northern research farm.
The first field day of the summer season is set for noon June 19 at the Horticulture Station near Ames. The station is located 1.5 miles east at the intersection of Highway 69 and E23 north of Ames. Field day topics will include fruit and vegetable production.
Summer field days typically focus on agronomic crops. These events cover research on corn and soybean management including insect and management topics, soil fertility, tillage systems, water quality, planting dates, crop population, manure management and value-added crops.
After the summer session of field days, several demonstration garden field days are scheduled for gardeners to view vegetable and ornamental plants. Field days in the late summer include topics of interest to farmers prior to harvest.
The public is welcome at the field days, which take place rain or shine.
The remaining roster of summer field days is:
Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm*
June 21, 5 p.m. The farm is 11 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, half a mile south on M53 and three-quarters of a mile east.
Topic: High tunnels for growing horticultural crops
Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm
June 22, 1 p.m. The farm is located one and three-quarter miles south, two miles east on G62 and three-quarters of a mile north of Crawfordsville on the Washington/Louisa county-line road.
Topics: Crop production
July 12, 9 a.m.
Topics: Controlled drainage, tile installation and wetland construction
Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm
June 28, 9 a.m. The Sutherland farm is located 11 miles north of Cherokee on U.S. Highway 59 and a quarter mile east on county road B62.
Topics: Crop production
Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm
June 28, 1:30 p.m. The farm is located one mile west of the Highway 218 and B60 intersection in Nashua, one mile south and a quarter mile east.
Topics: Crop production
Northern Research and Demonstration Farm
June 29, 9:30 a.m. The farm is just south of Kanawha on county road R35.
Topics: Crop production
Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm
July 17, 5 p.m. From Highway 61/92, turn east at G38/North Street.
Topics: Vegetable production
Demonstration Garden Field Days
One of the featured themes this year is a "Plethora of Peppers." More than 40 varieties of bell, banana, hot and ornamental peppers will be grown at each garden. Field day participants will be able to taste a wide selection of peppers, including the hottest of the hot peppers.
Another feature for this year's demonstration garden is amaranth. While most people know amaranth as a weed, there are several varieties that are attractive in the home landscape. The North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames houses an extensive amaranth collection.
Some of the other themes for this year's garden include a food guide pyramid garden, unusual green melons and geraniums. The field days are open to the public at no cost.
FARM-LOCATION DATE TIME Northwest-Sutherland July 24 6:30 p.m. Northwest-Rock Rapids
(Lyon County Fairgrounds) July 25 6:30 p.m. Muscatine Island Aug. 1 6:30 p.m. Horticulture Station-near Ames Aug. 2 6:30 p.m. McNay-near Chariton Aug. 4 6 p.m. Northeast-near Nashua Aug. 5 4 p.m. Northern-Kanawha Aug. 8 6:30 p.m. Armstrong-near Lewis Aug. 9 6:30 p.m.
Late Summer Field Days
Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm*
Aug. 23, 4 p.m. The farm is 2 miles south of Greenfield on Highway 25, 1 mile east and a half mile north. Topic: Organic crop production
Western Research and Demonstration Farm*
Aug. 23, 10 a.m. Four miles east of Castana on County Road E-34.
Topic: Feeding corn byproducts
Agricultural Engineering/Agronomy Research and Demonstration Farm
Aug. 24, 10 a.m. 2237 240th St. Go west on Highway 30 from Ames, one mile south on W Avenue and half a mile east on 240th Street.
Topics: Corn production
Lunch served at noon.
Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm
Aug. 26, 9 a.m., near Nashua
Topics: Wine and grapevine information
Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm
Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m., near Sutherland
Topics: Crop production
Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm*
Aug. 30, 9:30 a.m., near Lewis
Topics: Crop production
Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 7, 1:30 p.m., near Nashua
Topics: Crop production
Northern Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m., Kanawha
75th Anniversary Celebration
Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 13, 1 p.m., near Crawfordsville
Topics: Crop production
McNay Research and Demonstration Farm*
Sept. 14, 10 a.m., near Chariton. Go south 4 miles on Highway 65 from the intersection of highways 65 and 34, then 2.5 miles east on a gravel road and turn north .75 mile. The headquarters is on the west side of the road.
50th Anniversary Celebration
* Farms contain livestock operations and research farm staff ask that visitors observe a precautionary five-day waiting period if they have recently arrived in the United States or have returned from a trip abroad. Visitors to farms with livestock are asked to change clothing and footwear after visiting any livestock operation; and to refrain from bringing any food items to research farms. If you have any questions, please call the Research and Demonstration Farms office at (515) 294-5045.