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2021 Iowa High Tunnel Short Course

Monday, November 8, 2021 - 8:30am to 3:30pm
Event Type: 

IOWA HIGH TUNNEL SHORT COURSE
Date: Monday, 8th November, 2021; 8:30am-3:30pm
Venue: Garden Room, Reiman Gardens, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011

Welcome to 2021 Iowa High Tunnel Short Course. This short course is designed to highlight production and management of several high tunnel crops along with information on economics and marketing aspects of high tunnel crop production. The course will also provide an update on the status of high tunnel research across the Midwest. This year’s keynote speaker is Mr. John Dindia, Lakeview Hill Farm, Leelanau County, Michigan. Lakeview Hill Farm is a Certified Organic produce farm specializing in hoophouse and greenhouse production. John grows variety of vegetables with a focus on greenhouse heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens, and microgreens. 

The short course will also host Liz Graznak from Happy Hollow Farm, Jamestown, MO. The farm grows a variety of vegetables both outside and in high tunnels using a combination of highly managed cover cropping techniques, crop rotations, compost applications, and hay mulch. The short course will also host Eric and Ann Franzenburg, Pheasant Run Farm, Van Horne, IA. Eric and Ann will present information on utilizing high tunnels for cut flower production.  Dr. Wenjing Guan, Purdue University, will share information about cultivars, grafting, and other strategies to enhance cucumber production in high tunnels. This event is supported by USDA North Central SARE Professional Development Program. Core objectives of this short course are to:

  • Highlight the importance of crop, environment, and soil management for vegetable production in high tunnels
  • Provide a platform to share resources, knowledge, and expertise in the area of high tunnel vegetable production
  • Connect growers, agricultural educators, extension staff, and industry personnel working in high tunnels and in the area of local foods. 

Tentative schedule:

8:30 am

Registration and coffee/refreshments

9:00-10:00 am

Keynote speaker John Dindia, Michigan (Topic:)

10:00-11:00 am

Wenjing Guan, Purdue (Topic:)

11:00-11:45 am

Tour of the Reiman Gardens

11:45-12:30 pm

Lunch and networking

12:30-1:15 pm

Ann and Eric Franzenburg (Topic:)

1:15-2:15 pm

Liz Graznak, MO  (Topic:)

2:15-3:15 pm

John Dindia, Michigan (Topic:)

3:15-3:30pm

Evaluation and wrap-up

Registration is free but required. Please provide information below to register. Registration deadline is October 31, 2021.

Category: 
 
1 Start 2 Complete

Grower listening session

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 - 10:00am
Event Type: 

Two Eastern Iowa Farmers to Host Fruit and Vegetable Producer Meet-Ups

Ames, Iowa —Two fruit and vegetable farmers in eastern Iowa will host producer meet-ups to discuss the upcoming season, challenges and opportunities for fruit and vegetable growers, and to meet and network with other farmers over a cup of coffee. These meet-ups are free and open to all fruit and vegetable growers.

The first meet-up will take place on Tuesday, March 14, at Salt Fork Kitchen in Solon. Laura Krouse, who operates Abbe Hills Farms near Mount Vernon, will host the event. Laura grows vegetables for 200 families in the Mount Vernon area, and raises open-pollinated corn. Salt Fork Kitchen is located at 112 E. Main St., in the heart of downtown Solon across from the Main Street Market.

On Tuesday, April 4, Adam Hohl, of Harvestville Farm, will host the second meet-up on his farm near Donnellson. Harvestville Farm is a fifth generation family farm that raises pumpkins, vegetables, corn, and invites guests for “agri-tainment” on the farm. The farm is located at 1977 Highway 2, 1.2 miles east of town. From Hwy 27 (Avenue of the Saints). Harvestville Farm is located 1 mile from the exit on the left (north) side of the road.

Each meeting runs from 10 a.m. to noon, with refreshments provided. Registration is not required, but RSVPs are appreciated. To RSVP, contact Liz Kolbe at (515) 232-5661 or liz@practicalfarmers.org.

Staff from Practical Farmers of Iowa and Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, and Iowa State University horticulture faculty and extension specialists will attend each meet-up to contribute to the conversation, meet new farmers and gather farmers’ ideas for research and extension activities.

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