On Tuesday, a 14-member team from Iowa State University visited the Naaden Agro Farm at St Xavier’s College, Thumba. The farm is run by S.V. Sujith, a State Award-winning vegetable farmer. The visitors, including students and faculty from the university's Horticulture Department, engaged in discussions on farming methods, pest control, mechanisation, and fertigation. Mr. Sujith leases 20 acres from the college and grows over 30 types of vegetables using the 'Safe to Eat' system. He won the 2022 Haritha Mithra Award for Best Vegetable Farmer. The farm is supported by scientists from Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Mr. Sujith also briefed the visitors about the vegetable traceability system developed with KAU, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Mitra Niketan, Vellanad, and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. The Iowa State University team was led by faculty members Catherine Swoboda and Ajay Nair. The visit was coordinated locally by Gayathri G., Assistant Professor at KAU College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The farm is known for its sunflower blooms that attracted many visitors during last Onam season.