Getting Ready for Field Day

Hundreds of farmers from across the region will take a break tomorrow from harvest preparations a...  More »

Hundreds of farmers from across the region will take a break tomorrow from harvest preparations and head for the Research Center south of Minot for the annual Field Day. Shaun Sipma has more on the event and the work that's underway to get ready for the farmers... It's the same location but a whole new look.. Today researchers and work crews were busy putting the finishing touches on the brand new Agronomy Research Laboratory and Greenhouse. (Jay Fisher, NCREC Director) There's about 16 or 17 of us here year round and in the summer we have twice the staff, students and interns and so forth and it's all hands on deck the last couple of days here working around the weather trying to get ready for this big event. From a newly paved parking lot, to a freshly cemented sidewalk it's a race to Wednesday to get all the work done before the farmers arrive. (Fisher) Our staff is just trying to do some touch up work so we finish up around the concrete slab, the aprons and those things. Then we get the tour trailers ready. Try to have all the accommodations so people have a comfortable day and yet an educational day. Research Center Director Jay Fisher, who is overseeing all the work, says tomorrow will be a special day not only because the ribbon will be cut on this state of the art facility but because of special guests that are scheduled to be on hand. (Fisher) This one is bigger than ever because President Chapman is going to join us and he's going to have conversations across the land. (Shaun Sipma, KX News) From the brand new Research Agronomy Laboratory and Greenhouse to the actual test plots, farmers tomorrow will get a complete overview of all that happens here at the North Central Research Extension Center south of Minot. (Fisher) This will be a chance when a lot of plant doctors are here from NDSU and our local ones and a great time to bring in your crop to this pest clinic for one thing. The field tour gets underway at 9:30 with shuttles wheeling farmers through the different test plots giving producers a chance to hear the very latest on research and development on crops like Barley, Durum, Hard Red Spring Wheat, Oats, and Canola. South of Minot, Shaun Sipma KX News. The North Central Research Center is located just south of Minot on highway 83. Field Days is open to anyone and there is no cost to attend.  « Less