MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Vegetable and IPM Farm Twilight walking tour will be held on Wednesday, July 28th from 5:30–8 p.m. After a one-year hiatus, the tour is back in the Loveville area at the Stauffer Brothers Farm.
Farmers Shawn and Eugene Stauffer grow a wide variety of produce including cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumbers, sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and winter squash on site. They employ high and low tunnels for production. There will be a hot set tomato demonstration with 14 cultivars on the farm, as well as information on how grafted watermelon is used for fusarium management.
As in previous years, this University of Maryland Extension event will start in the packing shed or under a shade tree with homemade ice cream, followed by 30–45 minutes for updates, an overview of the season, and issues folks are having. The tour will then proceed outside to walk the fields and look at the crops. UME specialists and agents will present information during the tour and answer questions.
This will be an informal tour, with plenty of opportunities to discuss vegetable questions with other growers. Handouts and brochures will be available.
If you are currently growing vegetables or considering it as a future crop, plan to attend the Vegetable Twilight Tour. The Stauffer Farm is located at 41400 Friendship Court, Mechanicsville, Maryland. For questions, please contact Ben Beale at 301-475-4481 or bbeale@umd.edu. No registration is required.
DIRECTIONS:
From points South: From Rte. 235 take a left onto Friendship School Road, proceed half a mile and take a right onto Friendship Court. First farm on right is the Stauffer’s.
From points North: Take Route 5 South to Rt. 235. Continue on Rt 235 for Five miles. Take a right onto Friendship School Road, proceed half a mile and take right on Friendship Court, first farm on right is the Stauffer’s.
–University of Maryland Extension