West Virginia Universitys innovative Organic Research Farm will host a field day from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

The farm, located on Route 705 in Morgantown near the Mileground, is home to a project where researchers compare organic farming systems to determine the effects on crop yields, soil quality, and pest populations. The farms mission is to conduct scientifically sound research to provide best-practice recommendations for West Virginias organic farmers and home gardeners.

The project, beginning its seventh year, is conducted by a multi-disciplinary team of scholars from WVU s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences. The Organic Farming Research Foundation has recognized WVU s research efforts as one of the best of its kind in the United States.

Events at the field day will include wagon tours of the farm and workshops on organic methods. Tours will emphasize demonstration gardens, weed management, soil fertility, and livestock/pasture management aspects of the project. Workshops will discuss the basics of organic production, pest management, and rotational grazing in organic livestock production.

This field day is geared towards a general audience, including WVU students who want to learn about alternative food production practices, conventional growers who are considering the transition to organic production, organic growers looking for additional information, home gardeners, and Extension and information specialists who work with the organic farming community.

Gates open at noon with workshops starting at 1:10 p.m. Wagon tours begin at 3:30 p.m. For more information about the organic farm or directions, contact Jim Kotcon at 304-293-8822 or jkotcon@wvu.edu . Though attendance is free, organizers ask that attendees pre-register. For registration information, contact Kotcon.

For more information on WVU s Organic Research Farm, visitwww.caf.wvu.edu/plsc/organic.