Rodale Institute is holding its annual Organic Field Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 22 at the main campus in Kutztown, Pa. 

Farmers are invited to join Rodale Institute’s researchers, consultants and staff to learn the latest results of research projects and visit 16 stations on the institute’s 386-acre experimental farm.

Participants will have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with Rodale Institute experts and learn about a wide variety of research and demonstration projects, all focused on regenerative organic agriculture. 

State Sen. Judy Schwank, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, will hold a press conference at 12:30 p.m. to highlight Rodale Institute’s 75th anniversary and the forthcoming science center building project.

The institute has been awarded $3 million through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project Grant program for a new science center that will replace an existing lab and provide the surrounding communities with a state-of-the-art research facility.

During the field day, stations will be set up throughout the farm, so visitors will have the opportunity to explore the living laboratory by walking or enjoying a leisurely wagon ride from site to site.

The cost of attendance will be $25. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch, and there will be food on-site available for purchase.

Rodale Institute is located at 611 Siegfriedale Road in Kutztown, Pa. For more information, visit rodaleinstitute.org.

The day before, the institute and Organic Agronomy Training Service will host a soil health workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At this workshop, ag advisers and professionals will look at the practical tools available for improving soil health in organic field crop systems and how they can help their farmer-clients assess the health of their soils.

Register for the soil health workshop at rodaleinstitute.org.

Vermont crops field day

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program's field day will be July 28 in Alburgh, Vt.

Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m., with the field day starting at 10 a.m. with a guided tour of the farm —including its many research plots and experiments involving perennial grasses, corn, soybeans, small grains, hemp, hops and more.

Farmers will have the chance to check out the equipment used on the farm, as well as discuss crop management techniques, receive updates, and engage in conversations with UVM researchers about ongoing and innovative crop and soil research trials.

Borderview Research Farm has more than 3,000 research plots where university researchers study cereal grain and soybean varieties; hemp, hops, milkweed and other new crops; reduced tillage in silage corn; and soil health for forages and various field crops.

The farm is owned by Roger Rainville, who assists with the research projects, including site preparation and seeding and harvesting of the plots, among other tasks.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm is located at 487 Line Road. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Certified crop adviser and water quality training education credits are available.

Advance online registration and payment is required by noon July 27. Register at go.uvm.edu.