Del Voight – Penn State Extension
Over the years I have learned some keys to ensuring field days result in a positive experience and enable delivery of timely field based research and or demonstrations to growers. Here are some tips that ensure success.
- Time to plan the field day: If its a summer field walk then plans begin to form in late winter early spring. This gives ample opportunity to market the event, plan plots, secure speakers and funding. However if its a field discussion based on a weather anomaly…. hail, flood, wind damage etc then its a set the date quickly and market by word of mouth and media.
- Timing: over the years in my area my advisory group settled on 10 am to 12pm with a light crock pot luncheon. I typically get to the location and start the crock pot of hot dogs or pulled pork so its hot by noon. Half hour presentations are ideal with plenty of question answer times.
- Agenda: Come into the field day with a plan! Besides content it is critical to recognize the farmer host and provide the detailed weather for the location from Farmlogs. The farmer can point out his family(and pets likely a dog) and he or she can give an overview of the farming operation. Also recognize the speakers that traveled sometimes a distance. Specialist dont expect alot but they do appreciate being recognized for the effort to present. Select a grower who has the facilities to manage and a location for the plots that are easily accessible. Growers with a shop nearby and or a building near the field is a big plus for providing educational programs.
- Be sure to stop in and check plots out periodically to ensure growth and development and other pest anomalies are managed properly. If you gather data make a chart for growers to see during the field day.
- Prior to anyone arriving place navigation signs up on roads leading into the location of the field day.
- Be sure field location is well marked so folks can tell a field day is going to occur. If possible use a large sign with the date and time roadside so passer by can see what is to occur there.
- Get there early! Set up drinks, seats signage etc and then get into the field and gather key specimens, insects, disease count populations find out what was done to the crop to be looked at tillage, planting date, planting type, variety or hybrid fertilizer program herbicide program etc. If possible do this well in advance to make plot handouts.
- Know the goal: Main goal maybe to see the plots first hand but the secondary goal maybe to update on current crop conditions or current events pertinent to this group. Come prepared with key data slides. Even if one has expert speakers plan to have some key slides made into 2 by 3 or larger signs for key points of data trends or key observations, growth stages or pests.
- Most On Farm plots are large replications, plan to sign the first rep of plots with a metal sign and a professional looking poster describing what is in the plot. Plot maps are a must so growers can put what they are looking at into a sense of logic. Growers expect to be in the field looking at the plots and for the speaker to be articulating what is trending in the field. Metal signs are easy to place into the soil in the middle of the plot.
- Mow an alleyway(3-4 feet wide) going into the plot and along the first reps of the study to allow for easy access to the plots. I do this a week or so ahead of time to allow for plants to rot down. I always ask the farmer for permission to ensure we are emenable to this and many times they will do it for you.
- Supplies
- Portable toilet(unless cooperating farm has this onsite)(contractors available to deliver)
- Portable table( should be with the coordinator)
- Portable microphone system( even if one feels its not useful use it )
- Seating(either chairs, straw bales or even truck tailgates for small groups)
- Crockpot(I have two sizes one for smaller groups and one for larger) use the plastic inserts for easy cleanup.
- DC to AC converter for truck(1000 watts) can operate a portable crockpot or cooler for drinks etc.
- Coolers for drinks and be sure to have drinks available.
- Crop Diagnostic supplies.
- First Aid supplies
- Directional signs, field label signs etc.
- 5 gallon bucket with water to wash roots off
- Magnifying lens
- shovel and hand knife to split stalks etc.
- Finally fact sheets and mailing list update forms etc. This is a field day however if there are specific points or a key pest, variety test results or otherwise bring them along to hand out for their use.
Perhaps by putting some items together and adequate preparation, growers are sure to fill out an evaluation with information learned and what they plan to use on the farm as a result of the field day.
