July 11: Families, farmers can see WSU research in action at 2019 Mount Vernon Field Day

Tour group listening to a speaker in a green field.
Visitors view crop research in action at a past WSU Mount Vernon field day. The free 2019 event is Thursday, July 11.

Farmers, families, and neighbors are invited to discover how Washington State University research helps their local communities and economy at the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center Field Day, July 11, 2019, in Mount Vernon.

The annual field day is a free event, open to the public, and includes tours, presentations and a free barbecue dinner.

Research at NWREC runs the gamut of Pacific Northwest agriculture, from spinach and potatoes to cider, berries, corn, and watermelon. Visitors to the field day can view current projects that help farmers, consumers, and local businesses and economies.

Beginning at 3 p.m., faculty members will host a tour of research plots at the nearly 150-acre center. Attendees are invited to walk or ride on a tractor-driven wagon.

Featured talks will explore soil health, vegetable seed production, and potato disease management. Other presentations include cider fermentation, vegetable grafting, weed management, plant insect management, and small fruit growing. Graduate students at the Center will also share and discuss their projects.

Afterward, participants may stay and enjoy a locally prepared barbecue at the Center’s Sakuma Auditorium, and meet with André-Denis Wright, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, as well as associate deans, department chairs and Extension Center directors.

“At the Field Day, our scientists, specialists, and students will highlight some of their most outstanding research studies, and will show why this work is important to agriculture and our surrounding communities” said Professor Carol Miles, Horticulturist at Mount Vernon NWREC and co-organizer of this year’s tour. “Our research, staff, and students are all supported by the people of Washington through grants and scholarships, and we are addressing key issues that impact our agriculture production and economy. We want to share this work with our communities to show how we are carrying out world-class science.”

No RSVP is necessary.

The Center is located at 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, Wash.

Learn more about the Center’s mission at mtvernon.wsu.edu.