The annual Research Field Day is among the activities the Benson-based North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission has scheduled for sweetpotato growers during the fall/winter season, said CoCo Daughtry, communications specialist.
The Research Field Day is set for Oct. 5 at the Horticultural Crops Research Center, Clinton, N.C. The event will kick off at 4 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m.
Growers will receive an update on field practices, breeding and variety trials, rotational crop evaluation and insecticide applications. They’ll also learn about SweetAPPS — technological programs on that can be downloaded to a phone or computer, she said.
On Nov. 2, the North Carolina FarmHER lunch to fight breast cancer will be held at the Barn at Broadslab in Benson.
“Over the last three years, we have raised over $22,000 for the Pretty in Pink Foundation, which provides uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients in the state with financial assistance for medical treatment,” Daughtry said.
Potential sponsors or women who wish to attend the event should contact the sweetpotato commission’s office at communications@ncsweetpotatoes.com.
The annual North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission’s membership meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 18 at the Maxwell Center in Goldsdoro, N.C. The meeting will focus on “catching growers up on things we’ve done throughout the year for them,” Daughtry said.
A state-of-the-industry report, a legislative update, a discussion of best-management practices, a review of research presented at the Research Field Day and the presentation of the commission’s distinguished service award are on tap for the annual meeting, as well as an election for open seats on the board of directors.
Growers are encouraged to make nominations for the board prior to the meeting, she said.
Finally, the commission is interested in working with retailer partners during National Sweetpotato Month in February, she said. Interested retailers should contact the commission.
