SDSU Extension hosts 6th annual Specialty Crop Field Day

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension welcomes vegetable, flower and fruit farmers to the sixth annual Specialty Crop Field Day in Brookings.

This year’s event is from 4:30 to 8 p.m. CDT on Sept. 15, 2026, at the Specialty Crop Research Field-South on the SDSU campus. A picnic meal will be provided. Registration is requested by Sept. 11, 2026; to register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “specialty”.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour approximately six research plots that feature peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, lettuce and cut flowers, where they can get an in-person discussion about variety selection, heat reduction strategies, disease prevention and soil management techniques. Open field, high tunnel and caterpillar tunnel production methods will also be featured.

Throughout the event, SDSU faculty, SDSU Extension specialists and local organizations will staff educational booths to share resources to support the success of specialty crops in South Dakota. Beginning and current vegetable, flower and fruit farmers; non-profit organizations; technical service providers; Master Gardeners; and home gardeners are all encouraged to attend.

“This will be a great networking event with multiple chances to learn from students, extension specialists and each other,” said Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist.

All ages are welcome, but please leave all pets at home. Attendees should wear proper footwear that can get dirty; the tour will include moderate walking distances. For wheelchair or other assistive device accommodations, email Kristine.Lang@sdstate.edu before the event.

For more information, contact Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist. To learn more about past and ongoing specialty crop research at SDSU, visit the SDSU Extension Horticulture Research page.