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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:

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

FRUITLAND, Iowa – The annual Field Day of the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, from 1-4pm. This farm serves as an ISU Extension and Outreach education center for commercial produce growers and agricultural crops. The field day provides an opportunity for producers and industry professionals to interact with Iowa State crop production specialists and learn from their research projects and demonstrations. Fruitland is unique due to its coarse, sandy glacial soil, groundwater that is close to the surface and a warmer, longer growing season than most of the rest of Iowa. A wagon tour of the farm will feature current research in corn, soybeans, and vegetables. Below is the tentative agenda:

Introductions and brief overview of research trials currently taking place on the farm - Josh Michel and Dominic Snyder
Biochar potato/sweet corn study – Ajay Nair
Soybean variety trials/ studies - Kevin Falk
SCN trials/ studies; Resistance to SCN-current status and future prospects - Greg Tylka
Local agronomic issues/ topics - Virgil Schmitt

To learn more about the event contact Joshua Michel at 563-262-8787 or jjmichel@iastate.edu; or visit the research farm’s website. The Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm is located at 111 North Street in Fruitland, Iowa. From Highway 61, turn east on Fruitland Road, which becomes North Street at the Fruitland city limits. The farm is on the south side of North Street.

For questions or if interested in other demonstration field days, contact your Iowa State University Extension Office. This event is sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach, Muscatine Island Research Farm Association and the Muscatine Island Truck Growers Association.

Related links:

ISU Research Farms – http://farms.ag.iastate.edu/
Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm – http://farms.ag.iastate.edu/content/muscatine-island-research-and-demons...
Field Day Schedule – http://farms.ag.iastate.edu/research-farms-field-days