September 1, 2001

IOWA LAKES FARM EXPO & FIELD DAY NEARS

Plans are being finalized for the annual Farm Expo and Field Day at the Farm Lab of Iowa Lakes Community College as well as a test plot open house for the county growers association.

The Farm Expo and Field Day has been moved to a Thursday (Sept 6) this year.  The Palo Alto County Corn and Soybean Growers Association plot tour will be on Wednesday (Sept. 5).

Of special interest this year is the second annual Palo Alto County Corn and Soybean Growers Association plot, which is located at the college farm.  This test plot is expected to offer a fair representation of all entries because of the uniformity of the soil.  Tracy Blackner of the Iowa Soybean Association will speak starting at 6 p.m.  Blackner is in charge of research projects for the association and he will speak on nitrogen studies, soybean diseases and new ideas for market development of soybeans.  The event runs from 4-8 p.m. with a ribeye sandwich served from 5-7 p.m.

On Thursday, Sept. 6 the college will have its Farm Expo and Field Day starting at 10 a.m.  Participants may take van tours of the farm as well as the growers’ plot which will have experts on hand during the expo.  Lunch will be served to those attending.

Earlier on Thursday, a soil judging competition will be held at the farm for area high school students.  It’s a chance for students to practice skills they’ll use later in the year in competitions.  The college will offer several scholarships to students participating in the soil workshop at the college farm. 

The Growers are also offering scholarships.  For more information on these scholarships, contact George Hammond, at the ISU Extension office at (712) 853-2865. 

The Farm Expo & Field Day will be held rain or shine at the College Farm Laboratory located 5 miles west of Emmetsburg on U.S. Highway 18.   All area residents and alumni of Iowa Lakes are encouraged to tour the Farm Laboratory.  For more information, contact the Iowa Lakes Community College Farm, 4145 360^th St., Emmetsburg, IA  50536.  The telephone number is (712) 852-3027.