By Heather Willis
Attendees from across the Midwest braved the triple-digit temperatures to attend Pumpkin Field Day. The biannual event welcomed growers, educators, and industry partners for a hands-on pumpkin field day that highlighted the latest research, production strategies, and on-farm technology.
University of Illinois Extension has hosted pumpkin field days for over 20 years at various locations and times. Starting in 2022, Extension partnered with Eckert’s Orchard at their Belleville Farm. Proud of their farming heritage and diligent stewards of the land, the Eckert family has cultivated and preserved their orchard business for eight generations.
The program included a day of research-driven learning, during which Extension educators and specialists covered key areas of pumpkin production, including insect pest and pollinator management, weed and cover crop management, disease management, and nutrient management.
Growers received guidance on how to use the University of Illinois Plant Clinic to diagnose disease issues through properly collected samples, gaining clarity on when and how to submit plant material for expert evaluation.
Source : illinois.edu