Staff photo/Joshua ArcherOn a recent beautiful Tuesday afternoon close to 30 agriculture professionals took to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension fields to discuss research and show how research dollars are being spent.
“It’s important to communicate to the industry what we’re doing to try to help solve problems,” Greg Porter, professor of agronomy at the University of Maine, said. “They fund research and extension activities and this is a way we can let them know what we’re doing and what kind of progress we’re making.”
Faculty, growers and representatives of the Maine Potato Board listened to a variety of presentations on topics ranging from potato fertility to insect control as they walked through the open fields on Aug. 23.
“The presentations show what the university is doing for the growers and the industry and how much we are putting in in our efforts and where the money goes in the research and the university,” Dr. Lakesh Sharma, assistant professor for the University of Maine, said.
Around $100,000 from the Maine Potato Board funds such research as potato breeding and new quality production, according to Sharma. Other funds come from the USDA to help further crop studies.
“When you’re spending anybody’s money to do research or do activities it’s important for them to be able to get out and see what’s actually in the field,” Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, said. “I think it’s really important to get out and look at those results and ultimately it gives you an opportunity to say there was some really good research there we need to continue funding that.”
The University of Maine acts as an agricultural university in a state where growing is the lifeforce to the local economy. Farm field day presentations are open to farmers or those looking for some agricultural enlightenment. Tuesday’s presenters hope that growers see the value in their work and perhaps next season experiment with their research.
UMPI offers certificate courses to growers or industry representatives looking to update their knowledge.
