The 2026 Crops and Soils Field Day: The Demonstration Derby is Thursday, July 23, 10 am to 3:30 pm, at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh. Hosted by the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS), the day showcases applied agricultural research led by Professor Heather Darby on everything from forage crops to cereal grains, cover cropping to no-till, and IPM to BMPs. More than 200 farmers, conservationists, researchers, service providers, educators, and community members attended last year. It’s free for farmers and $30/per person for non-farmers, and a catered lunch is included. Registration is recommended. The event will run rain or shine.
“I come because I want to be with other people who want to learn about agriculture. We want to make Vermont and Vermont agriculture the best that’s possible for a long time,” said a local farmer in 2025.
After Professor Darby’s welcoming remarks, everyone will head out on foot and wagons for a guided morning tour of the research farm. At each of about 10 stops, NWCS team members will describe the research underway, what data show so far, and why they matter. They’ll invite questions, give hands-on demonstrations, and encourage discussion.
After a delicious BBQ lunch by Cold Hollow Catering and ice cream bars from Ben & Jerry’s, attendees can choose from among five break-out sessions, aka the Demonstration Derby. “Know What You Grow: Plant Identification, Forage Quality and Species Selection” will investigate what’s growing beneath your feet and how it can work harder for your farm. “Fresh Vegetables: The Taste of Texture” will demonstrate how sensory evaluation can deepen your appreciation of local produce and transform your eating experience. Members of UVM’s Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC) will host “Let’s Get Physical,” an in-depth discussion of aggregate stability, soil compaction, infiltration, and soil health with demonstrations of old and new measurement methods. “Seed to Sovereignty: How Hemp and Flax Foster Resilience at the Regional Scale” offers a retrospective on the last five years of NWCS bast fiber research, including works of art. The fifth session delves into the technology and application of precision agriculture, including robotic weeders the NWCS team is currently testing on Vermont farms.
The Annual Crops and Soils Field Day launched a few years after Professor Darby, an agronomist and soil scientist, joined NWCS, and it has become the program’s largest outreach event. Roger and Claire Rainville, who own Borderview Research Farm, have generously hosted NWCS research there for the past 20 years. The annual field day and all NWCS research wouldn’t be possible without their dedication to agriculture, farming, and innovation. Thank you, Roger and Claire!
Read about the 2025 Crops and Soils Field Day here.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with check-in from 9:30-10 a.m.(exhibitors: set up by 9:30 a.m.)
Location: Borderview Research Farm, 487 Line Road, Alburgh, VT 05440
Registration: Please pre-register online.
Price: Free for farmers, $30 per person for non-farmers. A BBQ lunch by Cold Hollow Catering is included, as well as ice cream bars from Ben & Jerry’s.
Sponsors and exhibitors: Sponsors can register online, and exhibitors can contact Susan Brouillette at susan.brouillette@uvm.edu, though space is limited.
Accommodation: If you require an accommodation related to a disability, please contact UVM Student Accessibility Services at access@uvm.edu or (802) 656-7753.