Extension
It Starts With Us
Using High Tunnels to Strengthen our Local Farmers Market
Community and Economic Development
Glen Roberts, Terry Bertram, Danny Adams, KSU small farm, Seth Hart
Horticulture, Commercial
Plant Disease ID
Local Food Systems
Small Farm Diversification
We do not have enough produce at our local farmers market in May and June to meet the demand. Our weather is not conducive to producing very much produce that time of year without some type of weather protection. High tunnels offer the potential for vegetable producers to have more product available in May and June when the market demand is strong for fresh locally grown produce.
Producers use high tunnels to take advantage of the strong demand in May and June for fresh locally grown produce. Producers earn more income and consumers can purchase fresh locally grown produce resulting in strong economic development.
Producers build high tunnels to grow produce for May and June markets.
Producers learn the potential value of producing in a high tunnel for May and June markets.
Initial Outcome: Producers become aware of the opportunities to grow produce and have it available 30-60 earlier than conventional production
Indicator: They attend local hands on classes showing how to build a high tunnel.
Method: Demonstration classes
Timeline: 2021-2022
Intermediate Outcome: Producers decide to build high tunnels
Indicator: They build high tunnels
Method: Visual observation
Timeline: 2021-2022
Long-term Outcome: Producers earn more money by supplying more produce locally in May and June.
Indicator: Earlier sales at higher prices, and satisfied local consumers
Method: Direct observation of the Farmers Market
Timeline: 2021-2022
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Produce producers, industry, consumers
Project or Activity: Hands on building a high tunnel
Content or Curriculum: USDA designs
Inputs: Specialists, techs, agents
Date: 2021-2022
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Extension Educational programming
Content or Curriculum: Agronomic principles of high tunnels
Inputs: extension specialists, agents, industry
Date: 2021-2022
Audience: producers
Project or Activity: marketing produce from a high tunnel
Content or Curriculum: produce prices for May and June
Inputs: agents, marketing specialists
Date: 2021-2022
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Economic Development
Participants: Young farmer and her husband, Extension ANR Agent and Assistants.The supply of local produce does not meet the demand in May and throughout the month of June at our Farmers Market. USDA grants through the Natural Resources and Conservation Service offer potential to help in this area. One roadblock to this is an NRCS rule that the recipient of the grant has to agree not to use artificial heat for the first few years. A potential solution to this is to build
