Writer
Julie HarkerALBANY, Mo. – The University of Missouri Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center will host a Farm, Field and Family Day 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in Albany. The event is free and open to the public.
A Farmers and Makers Market will be open during registration, which starts at 4 p.m. The program begins at 5 p.m. Topics presented by MU Extension specialists and others include native warm-season grasses and legumes, herbicide resistance in northwestern Missouri, a drone agricultural application demonstration, soybean maturity group selection guidelines, tar spot and other fungal diseases and turf management.
Attendees can participate in an agronomic wagon tour, forage crops walking tour and/or workshops discussing turf management and what it takes to run a small farm business with a look to the 20-year celebration of Annie’s Project. They can also spend one-one-one time with extension and industry specialists at their booths or participate in an indoor mini health fair.
“We have a lot going on this year!” said Jennifer Miller, Hundley-Whaley director. “Past field day feedback has shown people want more time with the speakers, and this field day has been designed to allow that.”
In addition to agronomic research and demonstration, Hundley-Whaley is also home to forage research and education, nutrition and health education, 4-H and a newly added community health specialist.
“We are trying to embrace all our specialties in a farm, family and field day,” said Miller.
MU Extension will have booths and demonstrations in the pavilion throughout the event on subjects such as estate planning, black vulture management, tai chi, food preservation, managing stress on the farm, USDA’s Farm Service Agency, MFA and 4-H.
Miller said the extension specialists at the booths serve northwestern Missouri and are the faculty local farmers and community members would connect to with their questions. “It is a great opportunity to meet them,” she said.
A dinner at 7 p.m. will be catered by Hughes Bar X and Gentry County Cattlemen with the Albany FFA Chapter assisting.
For more information, including directions and downloadable flyer and brochure, visit http://muext.us/HWFFF2023.
Sponsors of this year’s farm, field and family day include Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybean Association, Albany Chamber of Commerce, Premier Ag, Hall Bottom Seed, Corteva Agriscience, MFA, Seedway and United Electric.