URBANA, Ill. — As Illinois ranks number one in both pumpkin production and processing, it provides a great opportunity to bring together growers, producers, and those who love talking pumpkins.

University of Illinois Extension can help kick off the fall season with a Pumpkin Field Day on Sept. 5 at Eckert’s Orchard at 951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville. The day will begin at 10 a.m., and registration includes lunch. 

Whether a seasoned commercial pumpkin grower or someone looking to learn more about one of the state’s most popular specialty crops, attendees can look forward to a day of everything pumpkin. Explore the world of commercial pumpkin production through presentations and research updates from Extension educators and university specialists. 

Additional field day activities: 

• Variety trial with 80 different pumpkin, gourd, and winter squash varieties.
• Disease management and fungicide demonstration plots.
• Drone spraying and field demonstration.
• Insect management.
• Pollination management.
• No-till and cover crop production.
• Industry vendors and trade show.

“Getting the chance to walk through current research variety trials provides growers the in-field experience and notes to take back to their own pumpkin crop,” says Nathan Johanning, Extension commercial agriculture educator.

The field day allows growers to ask questions, share what they see at home, and build networks with Extension, fellow growers, industry vendors, and beyond. Sample varieties in the trials include specialty pumpkins of all shapes and colors, gourds, Jack O’ Lantern, pie-sized, and a few newly released variations. 

There is no cost to attend. Advance registration by Sept. 2 is required to receive lunch. Dress accordingly for outdoor conditions, as the event will go on rain or shine. Register to attend at go.illinois.edu/2024PumpkinFieldDay.

For those who work in the pumpkin crop protection or seed industry and want to be a vendor and help sponsor this program, contact Nathan Johanning at njohann@illinois.edu or by phone at 618-939-3434.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Nathan Johanning at the information provided above. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

SOURCE:  Nathan Johanning, commercial agriculture educator, Illinois Extension

WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension