Our Worksites
We work in multiple settings to develop information and products that are useful to commercial stakeholders and fellow scientists. Our efforts include large-scale experiments conducted in open fields and smaller-scale studies conducted under tightly controlled environmental conditions in growth chambers. High tunnels and greenhouses offer intermediate levels of scale and control. Regardless, sample analysis in the laboratory yields important insights. And, data management, report development and extension product development typically require offices.
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Field |
The Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory conducts research in fields managed by The OSU and Laboratory personnel in Wooster, Celeryville, and Fremont, OH. Other studies are conducted on the farms of grower-cooperators located throughout the state. These fields are managed using conventional, sustainable and certifiable-organic approaches. |
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High Tunnel |
The Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory employs nine high tunnels in its work. All of the high tunnels are located at the OARDC in Wooster, OH. Six of the high tunnels measure 21 ft wide x 48 ft long and three measure 30 ft wide x 80 ft long. Four of the six small high tunnels were built by Laboratory personnel in Spring 2003, the remaining two were built by a local contractor in Fall 2009 and all six are managed using certifiable-organic methods. All three large high tunnels were raised by a local contractor in Fall 2009 and one is managed using certifiable-organic methods. All high tunnels have been indispensable in related research and extension activities. |
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Green House |
The Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory regularly employs up to two thousand square feet of climate-controlled greenhouse space (all located at the OARDC in Wooster, OH) in its work. Greenhouse space is used in routine activities such as seed, cutting and transplant production and in research requiring the unique combination of scale and environmental control available only in a greenhouse. Conventional and certifiable-organic methods are used in the management of these greenhouse spaces. |
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Growth Chamber |
The Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory employs reach- or walk-in Conviron Growth Chambers located at the OARDC in Wooster, OH when required. The scale of growth chamber studies is typically small but much can be learned through them. In our experience, growth chamber activities spark follow-up work completed in greenhouses, high tunnels, and open fields (including on farms). Growth chamber studies also help answer questions left open in research conducted in less-controlled settings. |
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Laboratory |
Laboratory-based, benchtop analysis of samples collected in all other research settings is key to the Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory. This analysis allows us to describe the influence of pre-harvest management on crop physiology and quality, especially chemical makeup. A wide range of standard and advanced equipment and instrumentation is available in the home laboratory and at other facilities at the OARDC in Wooster, OH. |
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Office |
Offices of The Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory are located in Gourley Hall on the campus of the OARDC in Wooster, OH (map). |
