By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
PULLMAN, Wash. – A free, public field day at Washington State University’s Eggert Family Organic Farm will start at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 28. It will demonstrate how research is hitting its stride in the farm’s second year at its new location.
“We are starting to realize the potential of our new site,” said farm manager and instructor Brad Jaeckel. “With the aid of an all-student staff, mostly organic agriculture majors, the farm is in the hands of young new farmers. They are getting back to the business of crop production, teaching and research projects.”
Joe Bergquist, WSU Organic Agriculture Club member, will talk about the farm’s partnership with High Mowing Organic Seeds of Vermont on carrot variety trials. The new club is testing carrots for production and storage qualities.
Aaron Appleby will explain results from his internship on organic herbicide effectiveness and economic viability; Tyler Sabin will talk about organic cover crop variety trials; Megan Asche, WSU Honey Bee Club member, will talk about the farm’s new apiary; and Carmen Blubaugh, entomology post-doctoral scholar, will share natural pest prevention through soil health.
Also part of the day is a walking tour of the farm, including the new harvest shed, rebuilt greenhouses and new high-density apple orchard.
Eggert Family Organic Farm is located on Animal Sciences Road directly east of the main Pullman campus off Terre View Road. The farm operates through the WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. It was first certified organic in 2004.
Contact:
Bradley Jaeckel, WSU Eggert Family Organic Farm, 509-335-5893, jaeckel@wsu.edu
