Wayne County CES

Title:

Using High Tunnels to Strengthen our Local Farmers Market

MAP:

Community and Economic Development

Agents Involved:

Glen Roberts, Terry Bertram, Danny Adams, KSU small farm, Seth Hart

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Plant Disease ID

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Small Farm Diversification

Situation:

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.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers build high tunnels to grow produce for May and June markets.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers learn the potential value of producing in a high tunnel for May and June markets.

Evaluation:

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: 2024-2025

Intermediate Outcome: Producers decide to build high tunnels

Indicator: They build high tunnels

Method: Visual observation

Timeline: 2024-2025

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: 2024-2025

Learning Opportunities:

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: 2024-2025

 

Audience: Producers 

Project or Activity: Extension Educational programming 

Content or Curriculum: Agronomic principles of high tunnels 

Inputs: extension specialists, agents, industry  

Date: 2024-2025 

 

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: 2024-2025