Einkorn Evaluation Field Days

This is the second and final year of our regional trial of 20 varieties of einkorn. Replicated (multiple sets) of the varieties have been planted at Scottsbluff, NE, Morris, MN and Carrington, ND. So far, it sounds like things look pretty good and we are planning to hold participatory evaluations with anyone interested in einkorn later on in July. So, if you would like to grow, eat or otherwise take part in the small but growing market of einkorn in the USA, you are invited to come and see our plots and help decide which variety or varieties are worthy of becoming commercial varieties. Steve Zwinger and our partners, Dipak Santra and Abdullah Jaradat, will be leading einkorn evaluations across the region again this summer. Evaluations in Scottsbluff are planned for July 14 from 8 to 10 a.m., and the evaluations in Carrington are planned for July 20 at 9 a.m. We are still working out details for the evaluations in Morris, but they will likely take place between these dates, perhaps on the morning of the 18th of July.

What will we do when we participate? We will walk through the plots and score them for standing ability, and consider other traits like maturity and yield potential (given head size, tillers, and so forth). Therefore, your experience with growing small grains will be needed to make sure the varieties most likely to suit farmers of our region (like you) are chosen. If we get enough turn out we should have some interesting discussions about einkorn and the varieties. Activities should take no longer than two hours. The NPSAS office will send e-Sprout announcements for further information as all the details come together.

You can also visit www.npsas.org.

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Hope to see you there!