Published Jun 29, 2011

Sara Hanson Field Day (6/29/11)

By Patrick Burke

More than sixty people showed up to a horticulture field day at Prairie Sky Farm in Wesley, IA this past Sunday. Field day host Sara Hanson started off by explaining the history of the farm, and her farming background: After spending several years working on vegetable farms out of state, Sara returned to Iowa in 2008 and purchased her great-grandparents’ century farm. She installed a hoophouse last year for season extension.

The farm has seven tillable acres, most of which is currently planted in alfalfa, but will later be used for veggie production as her operation expands. The alfalfa has 30+ feet of prairie border on three sides. Sarah explained that the field border is one of the requirements for the organic certification process, of which she is in the second year.

Sara answered questions from attendees about vegetable production, pest control, record keeping, hoophouse growing, and the process of organic certification. It was a beautiful day and a great time!

Supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2010-49400-21843