In 1925, farmers and university officials gathered at Quicksand in east Kentucky to dedicate a new experiment station. Later on, a two-day event near Robinson Forest featured hog calling, a mule show, fruits and vegetables, and farm products.

On July 19 people will once again gather at the University of Kentucky Robinson Station to celebrate. It's a special field day to honor the Station's 75th Anniversary, and while there won't be hog calling or a mule show, there will be a variety of farm products and fruits and vegetables being grown.

"We've got tours that cover vegetable gardening, growing cantaloupes, peppers, blackberries, blueberries, beans, and flowers," said Mason Morrison, special projects coordinator for the UK Cooperative Extension Service. "Planning for the event has been going on all year. We hope to have some of our former superintendents and employees back to join us for the celebration."

In addition to horticulture tours, the day also will be filled with tours on forages, corn, round bale silage, tobacco, fertigation, bermudagrass, and weed control. The Woodcenter will feature sessions on portable sawmills, forest products, and computer integration in forest products manufacturing.

Another highlight will be a demonstration of hay baling equipment specially designed for small farms.

"We'll be cutting and baling hay using an Italian-made mini hay baler," said Betty King, UK Extension specialist for Rural Economic Development. "There are only two of these small balers in the country and both of them are here in Kentucky."

As part of field day festivities, the Robinson Station will also host meetings of the Kentucky Agricultural Advancement Council and the state's Women Involved Agriculture group. Events start at 1:00 p.m. on July 19. The public is encouraged to be there. If you would like to attend contact your county Extension office.

"There's no advance registration or fee but we encourage people to let their Extension office know so we can plan properly for meals," said Morrison. "This event is going to be something very special and we hope to have a large turnout."

The Robinson Station is located at Quicksand in Breathitt County, three miles south of Jackson. Take Highway 15 and look for the blue bridge and sign.