The SDSU Extension, in collaboration with horticulture specialists Kristine Lang and Rhoda Burrows, is hosting a High Tunnel Field Day, featuring a tour of a farm in northeastern South Dakota.
Scheduled to take place on June 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST at Waldner Farms in Webster, South Dakota, this event aims to provide valuable insights into high tunnels and their applications in seasonal fruit and vegetable production. Waldner Farms, managed by Darin Waldner, his wife Melissa, and Darin's mother Sue, serves as the host farm and exemplifies successful high tunnel cultivation.
Designed for current and aspiring farmers, technical service providers, gardeners, and individuals interested in high tunnel cultivation, the event will offer a platform for Lang, Burrows, and the Waldner family to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and solutions associated with high tunnel production.
The High Tunnel Field Day will commence with a presentation by Darin Waldner, sharing his family's experiences and expertise in high tunnel farming. This will be followed by a guided tour of the high tunnel facilities at Waldner Farms, considered one of the most valuable aspects of the event according to Lang and Burrows.
Additional presentations will be delivered by Burrows, focusing on fertility management and food safety in high tunnels, and Lang, who will conduct a "show and tell" session on grafted tomatoes. The evening will conclude with a complimentary picnic supper, providing opportunities for networking and discussions among attendees and presenters.
The event will proceed as scheduled, regardless of weather conditions, with signs placed to guide visitors to the designated parking area. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, but pets are not permitted.
The development of high tunnel materials is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2022-38640-37486 through the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, project number ENC22-216. The USDA is committed to equal employment opportunities and provision of services. Further information can be obtained by contacting Kristine Lang, SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, at 605-688-5796 or kristine.lang@sdstate.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dale-fornoff
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture