Organic Crops Field Tour

The 2010 Organic Crops Field Tour was held on Thursday April 29, 2010.

Click here to view the flier!

Click here for scenes from 2009's field day

2010 - Our second Organic Crops Field Tour was a great success! Over 200 people attended to tour the 14 acres currently in organic transition and to learn about a variety of organic growing topics including the use of hightunnels, growing small fruits organically, cover crops, composting, marketing, natural alternatives for disease control, field equipment and sustainable techniques, and more! Folks also had the chance to learn about organic products and services provided by exhibitors who also contributed to the event.

The day began with refreshments and conversation...

...and a visit to the Exhibit Tent.

A wide variety of Workshops and Programs followed. For example...

Graduate Student, Sarah Broughton, taught about reduced-till broccoli research.
	Annette Wszelaki (UT Vegetable Extension Specialist) and Mary Rogers (Organic Research Associate) answered questions about the Organic Farm's Intern Market Garden.
It was standing room only at Graduate Student Jeff Martin's talk about high tunnels.
	David Lockwood, Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences, spoke about organic small fruit production.

The morning's programs were followed by strolls to investigate what crops and cover-crops were currently in the ground...

...another opportunity to visit the exhibit tent...

	Sue Hamilton, Director of the UT Gardens, answered participant's questions.
Student Intern, Daniel Priddy, manned the Organic and Sustainable Crop Production display.
	John Antun, Director of the UT Culinary Institute, discussed the need for local chefs to incorporate locally grown foods into their menus.
Participants spun the "Wheel of AgResearch Benefits" to win prizes.

...and visits to the Organic Crop Unit's new high tunnels.

A delicious lunch was next, where Jeff Ross (Garden Manager at Blackberry Farms) was the keynote speaker descibing "Plants you didn't know you could eat" (we'll never look at purslane and basil seeds the same way again!).

The day concluded with a choice between an Equipment Demonstration...

...or a Walking Tour

	Gary Bates, an Extension Forage Specialist, discussed winter cover crop trials.
Walking tour participants were treated to the crimson clover cover crop in full bloom.
	Forbes Walker, Professor of Environmental Soil Sciece, discussed soils in organic agriculture.
The walking tour wrapped up with a visit to Organic Unit's low tunnel projects.