The 8th Annual Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day will take place on August 20th from 8 to 4at Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station in Ames, IA. Sam Tilton saw a need and created an event he thought would only last for one year, but it turned into much more than expected.
“Its pretty unique, I mean obviously I’m biased but I’m very proud of it. I’m the founder of it and I guess the lead organizer. This is the 8th year of the field day and the first year we just planned on doing one but its so unique and helpful to farmers. We have so many weeding tools in one spot and because they’re demoed in the field. Winter trade shows are awesome but you see these sparkling spotless tools on the red carpet and you don’t really know what is it going to do in your soil, in your crop with your weeds and it’s hard to learn from the reps who are super knowledgeable, how to adjust it. And so that’s why the field day is really unique and why we have farmers drive in from all over the midwest.”
Tilton explains what you can expect to happen the day of the event.
“The morning is a trade show along with ed sessions, all real hands-on stuff. Then we’ll have lunch. It’s a full hour, just a great opportunity again for farmers to network with suppliers and farmers from around the country. And then in the afternoon it’s the real heart of the event which is the field demo out in the field. Where else can you see two three four different cultivators right next to each other running in the soil and learning from the reps. Now at our field day we’ll have maybe 15 – 20 different machines, all different kind row crop cultivators, tine weeders, vegetable machines and so it’s really unique in that way.”
Iowa State University and the Land Connection are vital in helping put this event on each year. Registration is $85 and is required by August 6th and you can do that by going to thelandconnection.org. Registration includes morning coffee, trade show access, educational sessions, walk-behind alley demos, lunch, afternoon field demos, connecting with company reps and farmers from all over the midwest. The event will be held at Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station in Ames Iowa on August 20th rain or shine.
