EWING, Ill. — Pumpkins are a huge part of the specialty crop industry in Illinois and the Midwest. If you want to learn more about raising pumpkins or get the latest information on new varieties and pest management practices, make sure to attend the annual Pumpkin Field Day hosted by the University of Illinois Extension.
The 2018 Pumpkin Field Day will be held Thursday September 6, 2018, starting at 10 a.m. in southern Illinois at the University of Illinois Extension, Ewing Demonstration Center located at 16132 N. Ewing Rd; Ewing, IL 62836, which is about 20 minutes south of Mt. Vernon, IL. Registration will open at 9 a.m., with the welcome starting at 10 a.m.
During the course of the day, University of Illinois Extension Specialists and Educators will discuss a range of pumpkin production topics including variety selection, disease, and weed management, marketing and overall crop management. A pumpkin variety trial, with 75 different cultivars, has been established as well as field demonstration plots to accompany each of the presentations. Additionally, this year we have an ornamental miniature popcorn variety trial to complement the pumpkin trials. Special invited guest to this year’s Pumpkin Field Day is Laura Ingwell, entomologist at Purdue, who will be providing information on insect pest management and pollinator stewardship in pumpkins. There will also be a small trade show with vendors from the seed and crop protection industry to meet with as well.
Directions:
From I-57, take exit 77 IL 154/Sesser. Head east on IL 154 to IL 37. Turn left (north) on IL 37 for about ¾ of a mile and turn right on Ewing Rd. Take this approximately 3 miles to Ewing and turn left on Main St (N Ewing Rd.) in Ewing. Travel about ½ mile and the road to the Ewing Demonstration Center will be on the right. Look for signs.
Come join us for the 2018 Pumpkin Field Day! It is FREE to the public and lunch will be provided. However, registration is required. Please register by calling (618) 687-1727 or online at: https://go.illinois.edu/pumpkinday2018 by Friday August 31, 2018. Make plans today to attend!
Click the link for a flyer: 2018 Pumpkin Field Day Flyer
— University of Illinois Extension
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