Associate Professor Jay Norton describes research at SAREC.
The driver pulling the trailer with rows of seating slowed and paused for a group of people crossing the parched yards at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle – an unspoken invite for a ride.
Betty Deeney of Hawk Springs waved the driver on. “They want to see the equipment,” she called to him, pointing to the men she was walking with and then, as a way of explanation, added, “Farmers.”
An estimated 150 attended the revamped SAREC field day Thursday, Aug. 23. The field day, switched to late afternoon, ended with a cream can dinner. The field day had three-minute research presentations but also trailer tours during which those attending could climb down and see and stay at whatever research plot they wanted. UW scientists awaited them.
“I like this,” said Deeney, who attended with her husband, Lindsey Arnold. “I think you have a chance to go on your own more, and we stayed longer in one place than another. In whatever area of interest you like, you have more time to spend and visit with people.”