Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). High tunnels are passively heated and cooled covered structures that offer many benefits for vegetable production, including increased marketable yield and protection from harsh weather. To date, there are more than 1,500 high tunnels in Kentucky (Deena Wheby, NRCS, personal communication). Management of disease, insect, and abiotic issues in high tunnels often requires strategies that differ from those used in field production. Growers are encouraged to utilize integrated pest management (IPM), which is a combination of techniques including both pesticide applications coupled with cultural controls. This mix of techniques is important for high tunnel growers, as these producers often cannot afford the high costs of specialty pesticides and equipment. These growers must be educated on the various techniques for management as do the county Extension agents who provide education and serve as resources to high tunnel growers across the state. Because rising fuel costs and public health concerns have made travel difficult for many producers and agents, a two-hour virtual field day was broadcast live from the Horticulture Research Farm as a way to create an on-farm experience that did not require participants to travel. Sessions were led by Extension specialists is Horticulture, Plant Pathology, and Entomology. 

A total of 20 vegetable producers and Extension agents participated in the virtual field day. A post-field day survey found increases in the level of knowledge in high tunnel, squash disease management (61%), high tunnel squash insect management (50%), high tunnel squash production (42%), solarization for disease management (58%), high tunnel tomato disease and insect management (21%), and high tunnel tomato production (13%). Participants indicated that as a result of the program they were either likely to implement or definitely would implement each of the following: select resistant/tolerant varieties (75%), utilize cultural practices for disease management (58%), utilize cultural practices for insect management (50%), utilize solarization for disease and insect management (41%), and manage fertility in the high tunnel to prevent disease (17%). Respondents noted that due to participating in the program they anticipated an increase in yield of 5%-10% (24%), increase in yield of 15%-20% (10%), increase in quality of 5%-10% (29%), increase in quality of 15%-20% (10%), and/or reduction of chemical sprays or costs (29%). While this program was provided at no cost to participants, the post-survey found that respondents valued the training at an average value of $16 per person. In addition, 92% of respondents liked this new virtual format and indicated that it was convenient and felt like they were on the farm. 

All sessions of the field day were recorded, converted to videos, and made available to agents and stakeholders through YouTube. Open access to these videos ensures that this information is available to a wider range of agents and growers, as well as provides an additional resource for those who participated in the program. As of June 2023, these videos have been viewed a combined total of 409 times.