Organic Research Field Day at UW-Madison’s College

By Blake Jackson

Each summer, the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) hosts a series of field days across its Agricultural Research Stations.

These public events are designed to provide valuable research updates and hands-on learning opportunities for farmers, gardeners, and others interested in agriculture.

Most events are free to attend, and additional details continue to be added throughout the season at cals.wisc.edu/extension-outreach/ars-events.

Accessibility accommodations are available with advance notice-participants should email ars_accommodation@cals.wisc.edu at least 10 days before the event.

Here are some key events for this summer:

• Hancock Potato Field Day - Thursday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m., Hancock Agricultural Research Station. This event includes research updates, wagon tours, a facility walk-through, and a barbecue. Contact: hancock@cals.wisc.edu.
• UW Forage and Cover Crops Field Day - Tuesday, July 15, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Arlington Agricultural Research Station. Specialists will lead discussions and field demos on forage and cover crop systems. More info: cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu.
• Wisconsin Turfgrass Association Summer Field Day - Tuesday, August 5 at 9:00 a.m., O.J. Noer Turfgrass Facility, Verona. Topics include lawn care, turf management, and golf turf. Registration fee applies. Contact: dave.marach@wisc.edu.
• Commercial Growers of Wisconsin Field Day - Thursday, August 7, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., West Madison Station. Attendees will learn about plant diseases, insects, and field trials. Includes free lunch and garden tours. Contact: janet.hedtcke@wisc.edu.
• Twilight Garden Tour - Thursday, August 21, 4:00 p.m. to dusk, Spooner Station. Evening event with expert Q&A and garden exploration. Contact: spooner@cals.wisc.edu.
• Hemp Field Day - August 21, 8:00 a.m., Arlington Station. Hosted by the Ellison Lab with updates on hemp research. Contacts: slrepinski@wisc.edu, palberti@wisc.edu.
• Pollinator and Land Management Day - August 21, 4:00 p.m., Peninsular Station. Details TBA.
• UW Organic Research Field Day - Tuesday, August 26, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Arlington Station. Focuses on organic grains, soil health, and new crops. Info: ograin.cals.wisc.edu.
• Agronomy and Soils Field Day - Wednesday, August 27, 8:00 a.m. to noon, Arlington Station. Features field tours and updates on agronomy, weeds, soils, and economics.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-nes