By Alexa Marcus, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

MUSCATINE, Iowa–The Muscatine County Extension Office is excited to announce the Muscatine Island Research Farm is bringing back the Demo Garden Open House! The public is invited to visit the research farm between 6 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15. They will have the opportunity to walk through the veggie, melon, and cut flower gardens. Alexa Marcus, Iowa State University agricultural specialist, will be talking about what the research farm is growing and leading educational events on harvesting produce and making floral arrangements with the cut flowers from the farm. This free event is open to everyone. The farm is off County Highway 38, right before you enter Fruitland. 

Soybeans like the ones tested at the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm. Stock photo via Canva.

The Muscatine Island Research Farm was founded in 1935 on 63 acres leased from the Rock Island Railroad. The research farm has since purchased more land and expanded to 126 acres. They now trial advanced breeding lines, new fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crop cultivars, and soybean cyst nematode and Sudden Death Syndrome in soybeans treatments. The farm serves as an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach education hub for commercial growers with field days or individual visits to the research farm to interact with Iowa State production specialists and observe recommendations in the field. Home demonstration gardens provide information to the public about home landscaping and gardens.

For more information, contact Alexa Marcus at [email protected].