Since the establishment of the High Tunnel System­s Initiative, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or “EQIP,” many high tunnels have been built in Western Kentucky. This has not only increased the number of high tunnels built in the area but also the demand for agronomic trainings relating to this production technique.

The workshop was designed to provide an educational opportunity specifically for producers who utilize high tunnels in their operations. The program took place on August 23rd, 2018 and included both classroom sessions and a field trip to a working high tunnel. Thirty far­mers participated in the training, and 100% of the surveyed participants indicated receiving an educational benefit from the program. Additional noteworthy results from the program include: a noticeable increase in the number of vegetable producers utilizing Extension services and the establishment of a cooperative research project utilizing beneficial insects for biological control of pests in Marshall County high tunnels.