Tom Henihan
Express Staff
Approximately 75 producers, primarily from the region, attended the Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association (SARDA) 2018 Summer Field School on July 19.
The annual Summer Field School is a gathering of producers and specialists to address a wide range of issues, discuss current developments and impart up-to-date information and expertise.
Established in 1986, SARDA works within the municipal districts of Smoky River, Greenview, Northern Sunrise County, Big Lakes County and the County of Grande Prairie.
SARDA’s mission is “To facilitate the transfer of unbiased ideas and information between research institutions, industry and agricultural producers.”
To fully realize its objectives, SARDA considers it vital that the information is not just available but that the information is getting out to producers so they can make informed decisions as they move forward.
This year’s Summer Field School also celebrated the grand opening of a new SARDA Ag Research building where a number of exhibits were on display and at 6pm a prime rib barbeque was served with live entertainment by musical duo, Small Town Drifters.
The new building is just the first phase in SARDA’s ultimate goal of establishing the Peace Region Centre of Excellence.
The Summer Field School began with all involved assembling at the SARDA buildings on Main Street in Falher. Busses then took the participants to the research plots on Highway 49 a few kilometres south of Donnelly Corner.
Among issues discussed in the field school were quinoa, novelty crop rotations, fusarium crop sequencing and a representative from the ALUS program also introduced participants to the strategies and objectives of the ALUS farming/environmental initiative.
At 6pm, approximately 110 people attended the barbeque and live entertainment evening.
The BBQ also provided an opportunity for participants to browse the displays and to socialize with fellow producers and industry representatives.
