10/15/2012

Plant Science Research Center To Host Open House

AUBURN, Ala.—Greenhouse tours, a presentation on permeable pavements and hands-on activities will be part of the lineup when the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station’s Plant Science Research Center hosts an open house and rainwater-gardening class Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. The center is located on the Auburn University campus at 75 Woodfield Drive.

The tours at the center will be conducted from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and will spotlight several research projects under way in the greenhouses and research field—projects focused on such issues as integrated organic pest management; disease management for ornamentals, field crops and vegetables; and an evaluation of banana varieties.

The program on rainwater gardening will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will include information about stormwater and watershed management, the Parkerson Mill Creek Watershed Project, the Saugahatchee Watershed Management Plan and native plants. Participants will have the opportunity to help plant rainwater garden beds at the center.

All open house activities, which are free and open to the public, are co-sponsored by Auburn’s College of Agriculture, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Saugahatchee and Parkerson Mill Creek watershed projects.

For more information, contact Jane Farr, center director, at hoehaje@auburn.edu, 334-844-4403 or 334-321-8525.

Following the research center’s open house, a free tour of Auburn’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum also will be offered. The tour, set for 4:30 p.m., will feature several new low-impact development features, such as a pitcher-plant bog and permeable walkways.

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OFFICE OF AG COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 COMER HALL, AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUBURN, AL 36849
334-844-2783 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)
AgComm@auburn.edu