Aberdeen Research Station hosts Twilight Tour

The Aberdeen Research and Extension Center and the USDA Agricultural Research Service gave the community an opportunity to meet with them to see the latest in their research.

With USDA’s ARS, Mike Bonman, a research leader with the Agriculture Research Service, focuses a lot of his attention on agricultural problems and how to solve them. A lot of projects he’s worked on have led to the creation of many barley and potato varieties in our area.

He loves showing people his research at the Twilight Tour.

“As scientists, we’re all pretty enthusiastic about our work, so I’m hoping we can share that enthusiasm with the community,” Bonman said.

At the Twilight Tour, people can learn the latest updates in various field of research, including crop, computer and trout research.

Most importantly, it’s to help break down a stereotype.

“People have a certain image of scientists as being in the white coat and big glasses,” said Bonman. “We’re just regular people.”

The research presented at the event is typically readily applicable to use, especially for farmers.

Christopher Rogers, a barley research agronomist with theAberdeen Research and Extension Center, presented information on food barley at the event.

“We want to present some really good information for them to understand how they can incorporate some of this into their diet as well as the benefits of maybe growing some more barley in their rotations,” said Rogers.

Even for non-farmers, though, Rogers stresses the whole community could learn a thing or two.

“We want to make sure that they understand that there’s a lot of real world applicability,” he said.

The Twilight Tour runs until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Aberdeen Research and Extension Center.