Fruit, vegetable and flower growers can participate in a Jan. 18 field day highlighting sustainable growing practices.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service and several partner organizations will host the event at the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm near Goodman from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Growers of all experience levels are welcome. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required. Lunch and materials will be provided.

Growers will learn about certification options and assistance through the National Organic Program, the USDAand Certified Naturally Grown. Other topics include season extension with high tunnels and seed starting and transplanting.

This field day is the first in a series of monthly events scheduled for 2013. Each session is scheduled for the third Friday of every month, January through November. The last field day is scheduled for Dec. 13. Topics range from sales, marketing and networking to crop selection and equipment maintenance. All field days will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To register for the field day or for more information, contact Keith Benson at (601) 988-4999 or e-mail [email protected]. The Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm is located at 1184 Coleman Road off of Highway 51 between Goodman and Durant.

MSU’s Extension Service, Alcorn State University’s Extension Program and Tougaloo College’s LEADS Program are producing the series, while the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the USDA Specialty Crop Grant are funding it.