Whether it's sampling new varieties of tomatoes right from the garden or seeing the latest techniques for growing musk-melons, the Research and Demonstration Farms show Iowans they can grow their own food.

Each summer Iowa gardeners get a chance to preview plants to grow the next year at field days at the farms' Home Demonstration Gardens. "If tomatoes are ready we'll do a taste testing of different cultivars or varieties. We had hot peppers one year and people loved doing a taste test to see which one met their needs," says Cindy Haynes, associate professor of horticulture, who coordinates the project.