Field day shares second year of results at new WSU Organic Farm

Visitors to Eggert Family Organic Farm at WSU encounter a preying mantis. The annual field day returns July 28 (Seth Truscott/WSU Photo).
Visitors to Eggert Family Organic Farm at WSU encounter a preying mantis. The annual field day returns July 28 (Seth Truscott/WSU Photo).

Research at Washington State University’s Eggert Family Organic Farm is hitting its stride in the farm’s second year at its new location.

See how at the farm’s annual field day, starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 28.

“We are starting to realize the potential of our new site,” said farm manager and instructor Brad Jaeckel.

Eggert Farm moved from WSU’s Tukey Orchard in 2014 to a new, 30-acre site closer to the center of campus.

The farm saw a busy construction season in 2015, with completion of a new harvest shed, hoop houses, and the installation of a new organic orchard. Eggert Farm is growing its longstanding community supported agriculture (CSA) program, expanding farm sales to WSU Dining Services and Athletic Centers.

“With the aid of an all-student staff, mostly Organic Agriculture majors, the farm is in the hands of young new farmers,” said Jaeckel. “They are getting back to the business of crop production, teaching and research projects.”

During the field day, student presenters will share experiences from their on-farm and summer research projects.

Joe Bergquist, organic agriculture major and Organic Agriculture Club member, will talk about the farm’s partnership with High Mowing Organic Seeds of Vermont on carrot variety trials. The new WSU Organic Agriculture Club is testing carrots for production and storage qualities. Club members will sell their carrots to university dining centers and at the Pullman Farmer’s Market.

In other research, undergraduate organic agriculture major Aaron Appleby will explain results from his internship on organic herbicide effectiveness and economic viability. Organic agriculture major Tyler Sabin will talk about organic cover crop variety trials. Megan Asche, an entomology graduate student and WSU Honey Bee Club member, will talk about the farm’s new apiary.

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. Admission is free.

Eggert Family Organic Farm is located on Animal Sciences Road, directly east of the main Pullman campus off Terre View Road. The Organic Farm operates through the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. It was first certified organic in 2004.