As the farming community continues the slow trek toward normalcy, the row crop sector will take a noticeable step Thursday June 24th, as Washington State University hosts their Potato Field Day in Othello. WSU’s Dr. Tim Waters said this year’s Field Day will not be like those from the past. This year’s event will be a hybrid, that includes a self-guided tour with station stops along the way.

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“Where WSU scientists talk about their projects and growers and industry members are welcomed to tour through there and stop as they move through. Typically, we do everything in a very short window.  This will be a six hour self-guided event.  So, over that six hour period people can show up at any time and tour through those various stations.”

Waters says while everyone benefits from the research presentations, it’s the face to face conversations that have most of the farming community excited about the 24th.

“Having those informal conversations are really valuable for all of us. It’s important for the researchers to really understand what the growers needs are and what they’re seeing so the research can be formed in a way that really benefits them.  And then for the growers, to understand what the researchers are doing and what they’re learning from that.  So those informal conversations, we missed a ton of those last year and everybody is looking forward to having more of those.”

The 2021 WSU Potato Field Day takes place at the Othello Farm (1471 West Cox Rd.) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pacific. Click Here to learn more about this year's Potato Field Day.

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