Using High Tunnels to Strengthen our Local Farmers MarketPlan of Work
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
Success Stories
Solving year to year compaction in high tunnels
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
High Tunnel vegetable producers are suffering yield losses due to year to year compactionThe local ANR Agent and the producer partner together to use technology developed for growing tobacco in the field in Kentucky. They used an 8ft wide spring-toothed pulled by a 65 HPR 4-wheel drive tractor. The equipment will fit through the standard size doors of a high tunnel and has enough horsepower to plow 9" deep and break up the compaction. This has allowed for better aeration a
Full Story
Heirloom cross tomatoes financial success for growers
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Heirloom tomatoes are appealing to consumers, but their production characteristics cause producers to be unprofitable. The Wayne County ANR agent conducted tomato trials for a couple of decades looking for a solution. Finally he found two heirloom crosses that helped solve the problem. They are Mt Rouge which is a Pink Brandywine cross with North Carolina State variety. It is very vigorous growing, very disease resistant, very high yielding over a long growing season and
Full Story
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- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
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