Extension & Outreach Activities
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2003 NH Vegetable Grower Meetings Outreach activities in 2003 included placing kale demonstration plots on 3 farms used by UNH Cooperative Extension for Grower Twilight Meetings. These plots were designed to show the effects of sulfur fertility on kale flavor. Greenhouse research demonstrated that kale flavor could be reduced by decreasing sulfur fertility, but this did not affect leaf carotenoid content. This grower demonstration represented the transfer of greenhouse and laboratory research findings to a field situation. Below are pictures from Dave Craxton's Farm in Dalton, NH. Dave is a certified organic grower who specializes in garlic and kale for farmer's market and CSA sales. Three levels of sulfur were used to manipulate the flavor of 'Redbor', 'Winterbor' and 'Toscano' kale. Meeting participants did not know the sulfur level of each plot and were asked to vote on what they thought was the best tasting treatment and variety. Most of the tasters choose the lowest sulfur fertility level and the 'Winterbor' variety. However, several people choose the medium or even the high sulfur fertility level. These plants had a much sharper and bitter flavor. Our mock taste test shows that even a small group of consumers will prefer different flavor quality attributes! (left) Steve Turaj, UNHCE Coos Co. Ext. Educator begins meeting at the Craxton Farm. (right) Dean describes our research and the sulfur fertility kale flavor demonstration. (left) Participants walk to kale plot for flavor demonstration. (right) Dean with the crowd down by the kale plot. (left) Steve gets everyone to taste the kale. (right) Sampling 'Toscano' kale (outside row). (left) Everyone tasted the three different kale varieties. (right) Sampling 'Winterbor' kale (middle row). |
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